Horrified parents of disabled children face cleaning washable nappies because the NHS is cutting the number of disposable ones it gives out.

And the headmistress of Witney's Springfield special school Christina Niner has described the proposals as a "horrendous nightmare for both the parents and us".

Reg and Helen Nicholson's five year-old-son, Andrew, a pupil at the school, suffers from Fragile X Syndrome - which means he is doubly incontinent.

At the moment the couple, who have two other children aged 12 and 21 months, have an allowance of five disposable nappies a day from the Oxfordshire Community Health NHS Trust.

But Mr Nicholson, of Hoyle Close, Witney, said: "We understand that the policy is now to remove this service and replace it with ten re-usable nappies which we will have to wash and dry. Apparently there was meant to be consultation but no one has talked to us as parents or to the school. "Disposable nappies were introduced to make life easier. We already have a big enough burden looking after Andrew and this will place a bigger burden on us."

He fears taxis ferrying children to and from Springfield School will be reluctant to take responsibility for carrying soiled nappies as well.

"I have been told to use a cold bag when we go out as a family but that is not very hygienic and we have enough bags on each trip as it is," he said.

Mrs Niner said: "Potentially it could hit us very badly. It could create a very difficult situation and health and safety hazard. We have not got the staff or cash to wash nappies at the school."

Similar measures have already been introduced for incontinent elderly people.

Oxfordshire Community Health NHS Trust spokesman Ruth Sharrock said: "There is no more money in the budget. We are having to manage our available resources."

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