§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many amputations are performed each year in British hospitals; and what proportion of these are(a) above the knee, (b) below the knee.
§ Mr. DorrellThe latest available information on leg amputations is given in the table. The information relating to other parts of the United Kingdom is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Leg amputations in 1988–89, NHS hospitals, England Description Estimated number Proportion of all leg amputations per cent. Hindquarter amputation 40 0.7 Disarticulation of hip 25 0.5 Amputation of leg above knee 2,625 49.2
Description Estimated number Proportion of all leg amputations per cent. Amputation of leg through knee 357 6.7 Amputation of leg below knee 2,248 42.1 Other 40 0.7 Total 5,335 100.0 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time between the amputation of a leg and the fitting of a suitable artificial one in the national health service.
§ Mr. DorrellThis information is not held centrally. The time depends on clinical factors which vary between individuals. There are no waiting lists for artificial limbs.