Executive Summary
The first National Audit of Continence Care for Older People, sponsored by the Healthcare
Commission, was published in November 2005. The results from that audit generated much
interest and harnessed an impetus for change. This report presents the results from the 3rd
round of the organisational and clinical National Audit of Continence Care which examined the
structure and provision of care for people with lower urinary tract symptoms and incontinence,
and faecal incontinence in primary care, secondary care and care homes in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland, and compared this to current national guidelines. Well organised services,
based upon national guidelines have been shown to deliver higher quality care to patients. As
judged by the national guidelines however, this round of audit shows there is still considerable
variation in both the organisation of services and the way they deliver care to patients.