Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 January 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether the current national procurement framework for continence products allows for clinical exception where a patient's specific medical condition requires a higher grade of product than is available on the standard board-approved list.
Products are supplied via the NHS National Services National Procurement Framework NP57123. The framework provides a range of products for the bladder and bowel and is not a limiting factor to local health board formularies/availability.
Clinical leads can review when assessing patients’ needs and are able to prescribe the appropriate product based on clinical need, and subject to local health board governance.
Health Boards have published their own guidance material on bladder and bowel health, which provides detail on how these arrangements can be managed.