PEOPLE in Wiltshire who suffer from incontinence are not having their needs adequately met, according to a report.

There have been complaints about the number, quality, size and style of the products provided under a home delivery service jointly organised by Wiltshire Council and the county’s clinical commissioning group.

Carers have said they are “worn down” by the system, and the report, by a task group of councillors, warns: “The provision of poor quality products is a false economy.”

The people who run the service are not even sure how many people use it but the report says the figure is somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000.

Clients are limited to four products per 24-hour period.

Some have tried to stay within the allowance by drinking less, which can lead to bladder infections. Others have become reluctant to go out for fear of accidents, leaving them feeling isolated.

Some have chosen to buy products privately, causing “significant financial hardship”.

Because helpers at many day centres do not deal with personal care, some older people have had to buy products or stay away.

The report states there have also been delivery problems and some van drivers are said to have made inappropriate or insensitive comments.

And because deliveries are limited to every eight weeks, bulk storage is an issue, especially in sheltered accommodation, with people having to stack products in their living room, causing “loss of dignity”.

The task group presented its findings to the county’s health committee on Tuesday.