§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what action he is taking to ensure that an occupational therapist is employed at each limb fitting centre;
(2) if he will specify the duties of the 10 occupational therapists working in the artificial limb service.
§ Mr. NewtonLimb service patients receive mainly arm training from occupational therapists in limb fitting centres and hospitals. It would be wasteful to employ an occupational therapist in each centre.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider the establishment of new limb fitting centres in those areas centred on Aberystwyth, Cheltenham and Boston and from which significant numbers of patients face lengthy journeys to attend their nearest centre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI am considering whether the distribution of centres in England needs to be reviewed. The establishment of a centre at Aberystwyth is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider extension of the non-means tested allowance payable to war pensioners attending limb fitting centres to all those who attend centres regardless of the cause of their disability; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonNo. War disablement pensioners are entitled to have their travelling expenses reimbursed when they attend any hospital for treatment needed because of 659W their war disablement. I do not consider that we should be justified in diverting funds from other areas of health care to assist other patients with their travel costs regardless of need.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken to enable on-the-spot adjustments to be made to artificial limbs to reduce the number of times amputees must attend limb fitting centres.
§ Mr. NewtonEach firm providing a service at a limb fitting centre has facilities there for making minor adjustments to its products.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services who decides which contractor's prosthetist a patient will see at those limbs fitting centres served by more than one manufacturer of lower artifical limbs; and what are the criteria governing such decisions.
§ Mr. NewtonPrescribing medical officers refer patients to the contractor who in their judgment can best meet their prosthetic needs, having regard to such factors as the type of limb required and the likely delivery time.