Who is this information for?
The information on this page is relevant for people living in Suffolk (excluding Waveney).
If you live in Norfolk or Waveney, please continue to order your continence products through your GP.
About the service
NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB has commissioned a company called Coloplast to provide an Appliance Prescription Management Service (APMS) for patients in Suffolk and north east Essex who use continence appliances.
This will change how you order your products. Instead of placing your order through your GP practice or home delivery company, you will now order your products through the APMS, who will then send the prescription to your preferred dispensing service.
Will the products you use change?
The products you use will only be changed if there is a clinical reason to do so. You will have a consultation with a specialist nurse before any change is made to your prescription.
How to order products
To place your first order please call the Suffolk and North East Essex APMS on 0800 026 0879.
Phoneline opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Saturday, 9am to12:30pm.
After your first order you can continue to call Suffolk and North East Essex APMS or you can order online through the APMS website.
How would you like your prescription to be dispensed?
You have a choice about who dispenses your prescription and you can change your choice at any time by letting Suffolk and North East Essex APMS know your preference when you place your next order.
There are three different ways your prescription can be dispensed.
By a pharmacy
A lot of pharmacies will dispense appliance prescriptions. If a pharmacy dispenses appliances, they should offer home delivery and can dispense your appliances alongside any medications. Before choosing a pharmacy, you should confirm with them that they are able to dispense your continence products.
If you would like your products dispensed by a pharmacy, please let the Suffolk and North East Essex APMS know the name and location of your chosen pharmacy when you place your next order.
Find contact details for local pharmaciesBy a GP dispensary
If your GP practice has a dispensary you may be eligible to have your products dispensed by them. Your GP practice will be able to confirm if you are eligible. Like a pharmacy, they may be able to dispense your appliances alongside any medication.
If you are eligible and would like your product dispensed by your GP dispensary, please let the Suffolk and North East Essex APMS know the name and location of your GP practice when you place your next order.
By a home delivery company also known as a dispensing appliance contractor
They will provide home delivery to your door of your appliances. Most appliance manufacturers have their own home delivery company, which hold good stock levels of their own products, and other approved products. Some of these companies may offer to place your orders for you, however they are not able to do this on your behalf with APMS.
The majority of the patients in Suffolk and north east Essex who choose to use a home delivery company, use the following companies:
There are other home delivery companies that you may also want to consider. You can find a list of these on the NHS website along with their contact details. If you would like to choose a company from this website you should confirm with the company that they are able to dispense your continence appliances.
If you would like your products dispensed by a home delivery company, please let Suffolk and North East Essex APMS know the name of your chosen company when you place your next order.