Incontinence 2025-06-19

Agreed with Sonia Kumar's emphasis on readily available products, citing a past NHS experience where changes in product supply caused distress to patients and staff despite cost-saving intentions.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with one in eight diagnosed. Surgery for prostate cancer can lead to urinary incontinence in up to 60% of cases. Campaigns like Prostate Buddies raise awareness about prostate disease and its treatment side effects.

Bladder control issues affect one in three women, but the issue also affects men. London survey shows 54% of male Londoners have experienced urinary control problems, with 28% experiencing symptoms before age 25. Public health campaign is needed to destigmatise the issue and ensure basic provision for all affected.

In Northern Ireland, some half a million people live with bladder control problems, with only 20% seeking treatment due to discomfort discussing symptoms. Early diagnosis is key. Campaigning for better awareness and access to care.

Urges the Government to establish a statutory requirement for local authorities to provide public toilets. Discusses the importance of accessibility and quality in public facilities, citing examples from his constituency.

Highlights the preventable nature of continence issues and their impact on mental and physical health. Calls for stronger training mandates across healthcare sectors to address continence needs from infancy through old age, citing specific examples of inadequate care.

I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate on bladder leakage and bowel control, affecting over 14 million people in the UK. Women suffering from incontinence have been treated poorly in the past due to vaginal mesh surgery, which led to life-changing injuries for many women who were not properly informed about risks or alternatives like physiotherapy-supervised pelvic floor exercises. I commend Baroness Cumberlege’s report recommending a full apology and compensation scheme for mesh victims. We must ensure proper treatment plans tailored to individual needs without compromising dignity and safety.

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this debate, focusing on the stigma surrounding bladder and bowel issues and the pelvic mesh scandal which has affected many women in Harlow constituency alone. Urinary incontinence impacts an estimated 14 million people in the UK, costing roughly £5 billion a year to NHS. People suffering from such issues should feel confident coming forward sooner to reduce costs and avoid complications like infections or hospital admissions.

I thank my hon. Friend for initiating this debate, acknowledging that incontinence affects people of all ages across communities but remains shrouded in stigma, disrupting daily activities and requiring tackling at multiple levels.

Shared personal experience with bladder control issues, highlighting the need for open conversation and support.

Explored complications from pelvic mesh implants, stressing the importance of compensation and better treatment options.

Called for better public toilet provision with adequate facilities, including sanitary bins. Emphasised the restoration of toilets in Castle Park as an example.

Highlighted the need for non-invasive testing and emphasised the importance of local councils increasing public toilet provision. Cited the community toilet scheme in Gravesham as a success.

Suggested encouraging cafés to provide better facilities for those with bladder and bowel control issues, supporting statutory duty provisions for public toilets.

Called for better funding of local authorities to support services like public toilets. Emphasised the need for proper research into treatments avoiding invasive procedures and highlighted the strain on family carers due to lack of support.

He acknowledged the severity of incontinence issues, emphasising that around 14 million people across the UK are affected by it. He called for better access to continence nurses, urologists, and physiotherapists, along with investing in community support, research, and innovation.

She acknowledged the issue of incontinence affecting millions across different age groups. She emphasised the need for dignity and compassion at the heart of care provided and highlighted initiatives such as the perinatal pelvic health service by NHS England.

The hon. Member for Rotherham raised concerns over incontinence care, emphasising the need for high-quality guidance and support for patients across different settings. She commended colleagues for their contributions to the debate.

The hon. Member for Penrith and Solway addressed access issues related to public facilities, echoing points made by others about the importance of community care.

The hon. Member for Nuneaton discussed her work on the all-party parliamentary group for bladder and bowel continence care and highlighted issues regarding paediatric care and high costs to the NHS from neglecting these conditions.

The hon. Member for Strangford focused on the financial impact of incontinence on the NHS, advocating for better management and prevention strategies.

The hon. Member for Wolverhampton West talked passionately about the necessity of high-quality care for patients dealing with pelvic mesh issues and emphasised the importance of early intervention in preventing long-term health complications.

The hon. Member for Stourbridge spoke on behalf of the Government, outlining initiatives such as NICE guidelines and NHS England’s guidance to improve continence care across various conditions.