Manifesto for continence

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The biggest ever public consultation has begun to find out the views of people with continence problems. Incontact is co-ordinating the consultation - the first step on the road to produce a Manifesto for Continence which will be launched later this year. Over the next few weeks, 150,000 postcards will be sent out asking for peoples thoughts. The Manifesto for Continence will reflect the most important issues that affect people with these common conditions. It may be ideas about health services, products, information or even the attitudes of other people.

18 national organisations whose members are affected by continence problems are participating. The list includes the MS Society, Spinal Injuries Association and ASBAH - all large consumer organisations - as well as some that deal more specifically with continence problems: ERIC, National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s, and the IBS Network. This is the first time that so many people with continence problems have been asked to say what they think. And the response has already been fantastic - hundreds of completed cards have been returned during the first month of the consultation.

A huge range of issues are being raised but some general themes are starting to emerge. "My continence nurse has transformed the management of my problem", said one respondent. Other talk about the need for support and understanding from doctors, access to public toilet facilities, and the need for home delivery of pad supplies. Once the consultation phase is complete, responses will be collated and the Manifesto for Continence produced. The Manifesto will be launched at Incontact’s conference on 5^th September at the University of Derby. The Manifesto will be a tool for health professionals and consumers to raise awareness of these common problems

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