§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many amputations and artificial limb fittings have been carried out in hospitals in each regional health authority in England during the last seven years; and at what cost.
§ Mr. NewtonInformation about the number and cost of amputations in each regional health authority is not available centrally. The following table refers to the provision of artificial limbs through the Department's artificial limb and appliance centres:
Year New patients referred to centers (a) Total limbs supplied (b) Total repairs Cost at current prices (c) £Million 1979 5,780 18,040 85,900 17.8 1980 5,470 17,780 99,240 24.5 1981 5,730 19,220 97,130 25.1 1982 5,770 19,030 97,820 28.2 1983 5,720 22,330 97,860 30.4 1984 5,320 21,150 98,160 33.2 1985 5,570 22,900 93,210 35.4 (a) Includes patients with congenital malformations and patients whose amputation was carried out in another year.
(b) Total new and replacement limb supplied to all patients.
(c) The cost represents the total payment to contractors during the year for the provision of limb repairs and prosthetic services.