Examination of commercial supply arrangements for stoma and incontinence products initiated
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has long expressed concerns that sponsored nurses may favour products supplied by their sponsors. This issue is now at the heart of a 2023 consultation on Part IX of the Drug Tariff, with the Code of Practice being a central point of debate.
NHS England (NHSE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights about Stoma and Continence products on the market. The RFI specifically references nurse sponsorship, support partnerships, and prescription management services. It is related to the 2023 consultation on Part IX of the Drug Tariff, which included a call for evidence on nurse sponsorship to address potential conflicts of interest.
Industry sources are involved in the debate over nurse sponsorship and potential conflicts of interest in the prescribing and supply of Stoma and Continence products. Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation, is reporting on the review. Whitehouse Communications, where Chris Whitehouse works as an advisor to MedTech suppliers, is one such industry source.
The Code of Practice prohibits sponsored nurses from favouring products supplied by their sponsors. It is a crucial element in the services that provide effective, sustainable, and cost-efficient products, as well as support based on clinical need, outcomes, and experience. The Code of Practice is a potential solution to the issue of nurse sponsorship and potential conflicts of interest in the prescribing and supply of Stoma and Continence products.
The review aims to understand systems for providing Stoma and Continence products to patients, including industry support in acute and community settings. It involves assessing product use, costs, and prescribing practices to optimize care and resources.
Nurses or designated roles, such as Continence Champions, are actively involved in product assessment, education, and support in care settings. This ensures personalized patient care and correct product use, helping drive cost savings and reduce waste. Specialist teams provide tailored treatment plans and review frequencies for patients, with GPs advised to consult specialists if prescription requests deviate from guidance to safeguard appropriate usage.
While nursing roles are crucial for safeguarding best practices, the documents reviewed do not specifically highlight direct nurse sponsorship in procurement or commercial conflicts. The focus appears to be on clinical governance and patient-centered management rather than commercial influence.
Overall, the review process appears structured to prioritize patient needs, cost control, and appropriate clinical oversight with the involvement of nursing staff to support product choice and use. However, explicit mention of conflicts of interest related to this process was not found in the referenced materials.
If you require detailed information on conflict of interest declarations or formal nurse sponsorship frameworks within this NHS review, that may need to be sourced from NHS England official publications or Freedom of Information responses beyond currently available documents. The review's objectives include services that provide effective, sustainable, and cost-efficient products, as well as support based on clinical need, outcomes, and experience.
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