Almost half (49%) of nurses and carers polled are not meeting the needs of their patients due to poor incontinence products, a survey has found.

The Essity commissioned research found patients missed 1.8 million days of health and social care a year due to staff spending longer than necessary caring for those with incontinence.

Richard Maddison, spokesman for Essity, said: “This is another example of the false economy procurement process within the NHS driven by a government that is failing to look at the bigger picture. 

“Healthcare professionals are crying out for products that are fit for purpose, that enable them to do their jobs more efficiently, and that would actually save the NHS time and money as a result. 

“The irony is that by focusing on value rather than cost during the procurement process, the government could improve patient outcomes, free up nurses so that they can provide better care to more patients and save millions of pounds that are being squandered on lower quality products. It’s a win-win situation.” 

The survey revealed carers were spending 75 minutes per day on up to five changes for patients.

The 500 respondents said this was 78%, or 42 minutes, longer than would be necessary with better fitting products.

Respondents questioned by OnePoll said a quarter of patients would be able to self-manage their incontinence care if better products, education and information were available.

Almost a quarter (74%) polled worried how unnecessarily upsetting or disturbing the changes could be, or how the patient might be feeling at the time (72%). 

More than one in ten (12%) had real concerns about bed blocking.