Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider the merits of a voucher scheme for people requiring artificial limbs, along the lines of the current voucher scheme for wheelchairs. [HL966]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health (Baroness Jay of Paddington)The Government have no plans to introduce a voucher scheme for people requiring artificial limbs. The specification of artificial limbs is highly specialised and complex. Each unit is designed to fit the individual user and the fitting needs to take account of the cause of their amputation, their potential for mobility and their lifestyle needs. The market configuration and the need for expert clinical supervision of the entire surgical, fitting and support process militates against a voucher scheme being an option for artificial limb services.