Continence pads provision – easier read

We need to make some changes

Some adults in Bradford District and Craven are given free continence pads from Bradford District Care Trust because they need them.

The cost of giving out these pads has gone up over the last five years. This is because more people need pads, some people need more help, and the prices to deliver and make pads have gone up.

Costs have gone up, but Bradford District Care Trust still gets the same money for continence pads. They have spent more than they were given.

Since there is no extra money, Bradford District Care Trust needs to make some changes to spend less.

If any changes happen, everyone who gets continence pads will get a letter explaining what the changes mean for them.

What we are thinking of changing 

We are thinking about changing three things:

How often pads are delivered

Right now, most continence pads are delivered every 12 weeks, we are thinking about changing that to every 16 weeks. This will save money but will not change the amount or type of pads people get.

Stopping giving out lower absorbency pads

We are thinking about stopping giving out pads like TENA Comfort Mini Super, Comfort Mini Plus, Comfort Mini Extra and TENA Men. These are cheaper than stronger pads and can be bought in supermarkets or online. Many people already buy these pads themselves

If we stop giving out these pads, we can spend more of our budget helping people with greater needs who need the stronger, higher absorbency pads.

Fewer pants and pads provided

We want to be fair to everyone but we have to save some money. Everyone will still have their needs checked by the service and they will still get some pads free of charge – but if they need more, they will have to buy the extra pads themselves.

• People who get three pull-up pads a day will now get two.
• People who get four pads a day will now get three.

This will help share the costs more fairly, while still giving people most of the pads they need for free.

Next steps 

Asking people what they think

We are talking to people who get pads from us asking them what they think about these changes. We will listen to what they say. If we change anything we will let people who get pads from us know about it.

Tell us what you think by filling in this online questionnaire. Or you can ask for a paper questionnaire or come to an event – see details.

Working together with others

We are also working with others in the health service and in care homes to find ways to help people need fewer continence pads in the future, by improving health and lifestyles and to make sure continence pads are used in the best way.

Helping people who find the changes hard

We have to make some savings. We know that some people may find it hard to buy some of their pads. We will show them where to get help with benefits in places like Health and Wellbeing hubs.

In response to this, we are working to ensure that additional support is available for those affected. This will include signposting service users to Health and Wellbeing hubs for benefits advice.