Written question asked by Andrew Gwynne (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 2015. It was answered by George Freeman (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 July 2015 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Prosthetics

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ask NHS England to reconsider a commissioning policy on (a) microprocessor knees, (b) muti-articulating prosthetic hands and (c) custom made silicon covers.

Answer

NHS England has informed us that it has established a Prosthetics subgroup which reports to the Complex Disability Equipment Clinical Reference Group. This sub-group consists of patients, their representatives, clinicians and representatives from the professional bodies and the prosthetics industry. This sub-group has focussed on various aspects relating to the service model which are reflected in the revised Prosthetics Service specification published on the NHS England website earlier this year.

The subgroup have also developed draft clinical commissioning policies for microprocessor prosthetic knees and multi grip upper arm prostheses but recognise the need to undertake more work on strengthening the clinical evidence and the links with potential to benefit. The further work required to strengthen the evidence for the draft policies should be complete by the autumn of this year.

These draft policies can be found at:

http://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-d/d01/

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6562
Session: 2015-16
Subjects: Prosthetics
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Prosthetics

Secondary information

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