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Written question asked by Andrew Gwynne (Labour) on Monday, 4 January 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 January 2016. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 January 2016 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Prosthetics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will make representations to NHS England on its decision to delay the implementation of the positive national commissioning policy on microprocessor-controlled knees.

Answer

The commissioning of prosthetics is the responsibility of NHS England as a specialised service. The rehabilitation and re-ablement of patients is provided at a local level by specialised Multi-Disciplinary Teams which should be consultant led. The NHS Standard Contract for Complex Disability Equipment – Prosthetics, sets out how the specialist centres should operate and the required level of prosthetic services to be delivered.


A revised policy proposal for the routine commissioning of microprocessor controlled knees was considered by NHS England’s expert Clinical Priorities Advisory Group which recommended its adoption for routine commissioning. The proposal was then considered by NHS England’s Specialised Commissioning Oversight Group at its meeting on 9 December where it was agreed that NHS England would support this service development as a possible call on its resources. However given the potential scale of investment and the need to consider its priority relative to other treatments which would also have a possible call on the specialised commissioning resources, it was decided that the policy should go forward for consideration as part of NHS England's next annual prioritisation round in June 2016.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
20807
Session
2015-16
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Prosthetics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk