Cost
May be free from the HSE
Pads bought in a supermarket can cost a lot over a year. If your leaks are severe, ask for an assessment before you keep paying.
Quick facts
- Cost
- May be free from the HSE
- First step
- An assessment by a healthcare professional, such as a PHN
- Where
- Your local HSE health centre or primary care centre
- Products
- Pads, pull-up pants, bed and chair protection, catheters
- Medical card
- Community care services free; card holders may be prioritised
Who can get them
For people with severe leaks, public health nurses can supply incontinence pads. If you have mild to moderate incontinence, the HSE says you can buy thin pads or pull-up pants in supermarkets and pharmacies.
If you have a medical card, you can get community care services free of charge. You may also get them without one, but medical card holders may be prioritised.
What products there are
Products include pads and pull-up pants, bed and chair protection, catheters and penile sheaths, and skincare and hygiene products. They can also help while you wait for a diagnosis or for treatment to work.
How to get them
Contact your public health nurse
Contact a PHN at your local HSE health centre and ask for an assessment.
Or ask your GP to refer you
Your GP can refer you, or you or your family can contact the service through your local primary care centre.
Have the assessment
A healthcare professional, such as your PHN, assesses you to decide which product suits your needs.
Things to watch
The level of community services varies in different parts of the country, so what you are offered can differ by area.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- HSE Live (Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 9am to 5pm)
- 1800 700 700
From the official pages (www2.hse.ie), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
How do I get incontinence pads from the HSE?
Contact a public health nurse at your local HSE health centre and ask for an assessment. Your GP can also refer you.
Are HSE incontinence pads free?
You may be able to get incontinence products free of charge from the HSE after an assessment by a healthcare professional.
Do I need a medical card for HSE incontinence products?
Community care services are free with a medical card. You may also get them without one, but medical card holders may be prioritised.