Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 June 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 7 June 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the Children's National Service Framework will reiterate the requirement for integrated paediatric continence services; and what action he will take following the publication of the Royal College of Nursing and Continence Foundation report, Is Policy Translated into Action; whether he requires integrated continence services at a local level to include provision for children.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the Children's National Service Framework will reiterate the requirement for integrated paediatric continence services; and what action he will take following the publication of the Royal College of Nursing and Continence Foundation report, "Is Policy Translated into Action"; [176048] (2) whether he requires integrated continence services at a local level to include provision for children. [176049] Dr. Ladyman: It is not intended that the children's national service framework will set standards for the treatment of specific conditions, but rather will outline what support should be available to children and their parents in managing a whole range of problems. In doing so, it will emphasise the promotion of evidence- based clinical guidelines, such as Good Practice in Continence Services, within which the need to include children's service provision is identified. The publication of the "Is Policy Translated into Action" document provides a helpful overview of where and how services have improved, and also the scope for further improvement, which I expect service providers will wish to consider carefully.

Secondary information