Mary Henry (Independent)

It is all very well to say that the services are there for people but the question arises of whether they are available. While I applaud, for example, the Government's efforts with regard to improving home help, I have asked at the top of the HSE what happens when a home help is on holidays and have been told that the elderly person is entitled to a locum if one is available. It is no good to require that someone must be available.

I was dismayed to learn yesterday of the intrusive questions people are asked before they are given incontinence pads. I will not describe them here but they are outrageous. Questions of a personal nature should not be asked by non-medical staff. For the sake of personal dignity, we should ensure that such situations do not arise.