Prosthetics

Mr. Baron
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many amputees have used NHS prosthetic limbs in each of the last 10 years;

(2) what estimate she has made of waiting times for NHS prosthetic limbs in each of the last 10 years;

(3) what provision the NHS makes for therapy and gait training for amputees using prosthetic limbs.

Mr. Ivan Lewis
Information about the number of amputees using national health service prosthetic limbs is not collected centrally. There has been no estimate of waiting times for NHS prosthetic limbs made centrally.

It is for primary care trusts in partnership with local stakeholders to commission services in order to meet local needs. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of, and access to, prosthetic services.

A multidisciplinary team, which may be headed by a rehabilitation consultant and usually including a prosthetist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse, and in some cases a counsellor, will consider the needs and expectations of the patient and will provide the most appropriate prosthetic limb and suitable training where required.