(2) how many NHS patients receive intermittent catheters through a home delivery service; and if he will make a statement.
No decisions have been made regarding the additional dispensing fee, as the Department is still in the process of analysing responses to the consultation entitled ‘Proposed New Arrangements Under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the Provision of Stoma and Urology Appliances—and Related Services—in Primary Care’ June 2008, that closed in September 2008. A copy of this consultation has already been placed in the Library.
About 450,000 people use stoma and urology appliances. Under the current arrangements that primary care trusts have with dispensing appliance contractors (DACs) there is no requirement for them to provide patient numbers. However, in responding to the Department's latest proposals some DACs have provided specific numbers in support of their views.