Update on Part IX Drug Tariff Consultation on catheters, incontinence appliances and stoma appliances.

 As many of you are aware the Department of Health is currently reviewing the prices the NHS pays for stoma and urology / incontinence prescription items and the way in which payments for services are calculated. Through product price reductions, the Department intends to save £25m a year. The proposals are open to public consultation and more details are available on the Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk . Closing date has been extended to 28^th December.2007

 Although no final decisions have been made (nothing is likely to change before May 2008) there are serious concerns about the potential impact of these proposals on the future provision of products and services to users who rely on them to maintain their quality of life. Manufacturers and specialist nurses have echoed this apprehension.

Incontact is working with a number of other organisations including Spinal Injury Association, Urostomy Association, MS Trust, MS Society, BackUp, Promocon  to communicate these concerns to the Department and to ensure that any changes do not impact upon wellbeing or lifestyle. A number of questions on the latest consultation have been raised in both Houses of Parliament.

 Incontact is committed to finding an outcome which preserves services to all users and ensures the future supply of high quality, innovative urology appliances. We will ensure that that the users’ voice is heard, and that that the interests of users are seen as paramount to those in Whitehall

 Further updates will appear on the latest developments.