SIA are aware of cases in which SCI people have been told that elements of their bowel care (e.g. insertion of suppositories or digital removal of faeces ('manual evacuation')) have to be delivered by an NHS District Nurse and cannot, or can no longer, be delivered by a PA or carer, even when this person is capable and willing to provide that care.

This sometimes arises when a person who has been receiving Direct Payments to employ their own PA(s) becomes eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare and their Primary Care Trust assumes responsibility for funding their care, but can arise in other situations too. If you are content to have District Nurse involvement, this is not a problem, but for others this is not acceptable. SIA would like to hear from you  about your experience (good or bad). Please contact our Public Affairs Team by emailing cfc@spinal.co.uk 

Any information you tell us will be treated in confidence, and will help us understand better how to address this issue.