How do I get free incontinence pads on the NHS?

Incontinence pads are a comfortable, discreet and effective solution for anyone living with incontinence. Designed to catch any leaking whilst keeping you dry and odour-free, these incontinence aids help give millions of people the comfort and confidence they need to enjoy their day-to-day life with minimal restriction. Under certain circumstances, it is possible to be prescribed incontinence products to provide you with the necessary protection. So, you may be wondering ‘how do I get free incontinence pads on the NHS?’

In this article, we’re going to discuss how to get free incontinence pads for elderly people on prescription, and further options for obtaining incontinence products for yourself or someone you care for.

Understanding incontinence pads

Incontinence pads form an absorbent barrier, anatomically designed to fit the body and catch any leaks that can occur for sufferers of urinary or bowel incontinence. They are available in different sizes and absorption levels to cater for the specific needs of men and women with varying levels of incontinence. Many offer innovative solutions to keep you clean, dry and hygienic, whilst protecting your skin from infections.

Disposable pads offer a discreet solution to incontinence, designed to be used with your normal underwear and available in different absorption levels. Many of them offer an odour control feature for added peace of mind.

Washable pads offer a more sustainable solution with the same level of protection you can get from disposable pads. They are reusable, better for the environment and can save you money in the long run. However, they do, of course, require washing after every use. The kind of pad that is most suitable is different from person to person. We recommend experimenting with a few different ones to find the best fit for you.

Are you entitled to free incontinence pads on the NHS?

If you’re looking to find out ‘are you entitled to free incontinence pads on the NHS’, they can be prescribed in some circumstances. Incontinence products may be available on prescription, depending on your local integrated care board (ICB). To qualify for NHS products, you may need to be assessed by a healthcare professional. Contact your GP in the first instance, for details of your local continence service. 

You will need to be assessed by a specialist nurse before a doctor can provide you with a prescription. While this can differ from area to area, the assessment for free incontinence pads for elderly people may include:

• Reviewing your medical history and any medication you take
• Ascertaining details about your urine and bowel movements, for example how regularly you need to go
• Information about your diet and fluid intake
• Details of the incontinence you’re experiencing and how severe it is
• Your self-care abilities (for example, can you feed and dress yourself) 
• Your cognitive abilities (for example, are you able to recognise the toilet or where it is) 
• Urine and bladder tests

If you’re eligible, then the specialist will inform you of the products you are entitled to and help you or your carer find the right product to suit your needs.

Alternative ways to access incontinence products

If you are ineligible for prescription incontinence products, or if you’re waiting for an assessment to find out if you are, don’t worry as there are still lots of options to get the products you need to manage your incontinence effectively.

There are specialist online stores, such as ours at Complete Care Shop, that provide a huge range of different products all available from one place. These are especially helpful if you are less mobile because they can be supplied in bulk (which can really help to keep the costs down) and delivered straight to your door.

As part of our services, we offer advice and support to help you get the right product for the job, via detailed descriptions, help and advice articles and dedicated support from our friendly, knowledgeable team available over the phone, on live chat or by email.  

Incontinence products at Complete Care Shop

If you suffer from incontinence and want to know if you can get incontinence products on prescription, your first step is to speak to a medical professional to see what support is available and see if you are eligible. In the meantime, don’t worry as you can find many different types of incontinence products, including incontinence pants, incontinence underwear, incontinence liners and more in our collection.

If you need help or advice with our incontinence products, get in touch with us today and a member of our team will be happy to help. You can also get free product advice from our Occupational Therapists for further assistance in choosing the most ideal products for you or your loved one.