THE BLADDER AND BOWEL FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION

This is the only independent Directory of the Continence Products available in the UK.

PROMOCON

We could not have produced this Directory without the help of PromoCon (“Promoting Continence and Product Awareness”), especially Debra Evans, their information officer. PromoCon is based at Disabled Living, Manchester, where it has a permanent exhibition of most, if not all, the products in the Directory.  PromoCon also provides selective displays to other disabled living centres and promotes liaison between users of the products, their manufacturers and the health professionals concerned with incontinence.  It runs a helpline, Telephone: 0161 834 2001, Fax: 0161 214 5961) for anyone wanting product information.

THE DIRECTORY

The Directory aims to guide its users around the bewildering variety of continence products on the UK market.  As far as possible it includes all those products within its listings, subject to the deliberate exclusion of toileting aids, other than  hand-held urinals, and clothing as this would duplicate information easily accessible in the Disabled Living Foundation’s Hamilton Index (Part 3, Section 14, Personal Toilet).

Selecting a product to meet an individual’s needs is not always a simple matter.  Many factors need to be considered, including the type and pattern of incontinence, personal preference of the user, washing or disposal facilities and cost.  Advice on product selection should be given only after a thorough individual assessment of needs by a health professional who has received appropriate training.

Inclusion in the Directory does not imply endorsement of the product.  We have not conducted trials of any of the products mentioned.  While we have tried to provide accurate and comprehensive information, no responsibility can be accepted for errors or omissions.  The information is presented as provided by the manufacturers who have the facility to update their own information online -- monitoring by the Foundation is only to ensure that the information is factual rather than "marketing speak".  Information on errors or other omissions would be welcome. 

HOW TO USE THIS DIRECTORY

Products are listed in fifteen categories (with sub-sections) with an introductory brief description and line illustrations where appropriate.  Within each section, products are listed alphabetically.  We have not included every distributor of a product, only manufacturers and main supplier(s).

To see the name and contact details of the manufacturer, click on the name of the product. If you wish to compare details of products, click on Select and that product will remain at the top of the page when you move to the next page. You can also use the Search facility to look for a product name, products of the same size, all the products belonging to a particular company etc. -- it works like any other search facility.

Information on absorbent products now includes their "Rothwell" banding (if manufacturers have completed this column). This is a system that grades products by their absorbency if completely immersed in liquid and is used by the NHS in awarding contracts.

Information in the comments column is as supplied by the company and The Bladder and Bowel Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of any statements made.  

PRICE

Prices are shown as quoted by the company for the quantity shown.  Most companies have negotiable price structures, and bulk orders may be considerably cheaper than the prices shown here, which are merely a guide. 

Individuals ordering continence products for their own use should check whether the prices quoted include VAT, which they do not have to pay. There are, however, limits on the number of products that an individual can order at one time and still take advantage of this exemption.

Postage and packing may need to be added to mail order purchases.  Retail outlet prices may vary considerably. With many products it is difficult to tell how they will function without trying them.  Some companies will supply samples of products, but this is obviously not possible with more expensive items.  The local continence advisor (continence nurse specialist) or disabled living centre may have a display of products.

AVAILABILITY

Availability is indicated as follows:

DT                    Listed in the Drug Tariff - i.e., can be prescribed by a medical practitioner on form FP10 and supplied via a retail pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor.  Usual prescription charges apply.

MO                  Mail order from a company.  Some companies use local distributors via pharmacies.

HOSPITAL ONLY           Specialised products that are not supplied for community use.

Chemist An increasing number of retail outlets - pharmacies, supermarkets and specialist disability outlets - are stocking a range of continence products.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Illustrations are mostly by Jenny Valentine and special thanks are due to Beaconsfield Publishers (20 Chiltern Hills Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 1PL: tel/fax: 01494 672118) for permission to reproduce some of these from Nursing for Continence, ed. Christine Norton, 2nd edition, 1996.

CONTACT THE BLADDER AND BOWEL FOUNDATION

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