How many patients have received sacral nerve stimulation therapy through the NHS in Wales in the last year for which records are available?
NHS Wales Health Boards have provided funding for 36 patients to receive sacral nerve stimulation at specialist centres outside of Wales. A small number of patients received this treatment in Welsh Health Boards but the numbers are not recorded nationally.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended sacral nerve stimulation as possible management for faecal incontinence following the failure of conservative treatment and advises the procedure should be undertaken in specialised units.
A multidisciplinary task and finish group, chaired by Ms. Julie Cornish, consultant colorectal surgeon at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, who is a specialist in this work, is being established to explore the options for developing Wales-wide services for women with faecal incontinence and Welsh Government officials are working with Ms. Cornish to develop terms of reference and a reporting timeframe for this group.