HL Deb 03 September 1998 vol 593 cc26-7WA
Lord Rowallan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are proposing to modernise National Health Service artificial limbs to close the technological gap between them and privately bought artificial limbs. [HL3143]

Baroness Hayman

The Government will, as part of its modernisation programme, strive to ensure that all patient care is delivered quickly, consistently and at the highest possible standards. The provision of artificial limbs is very specialised. Each limb is designed to fit the individual user in a way which takes account of their lifestyle needs.

Our priority is to ensure that in this, as in other NHS services, products both meet the needs of the individual concerned and offer value for money. To this end NHS Supplies have recently set up a group of all those involved in the supply of prosthetics, including users, to determine good practice and improve performance throughout the NHS Supply function.