§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the additional funding for silicone cosmesis for prosthetic limbs announced in Autumn 2000 will be given to disablement service centres. [8095]
§ Jacqui SmithWe have increased health authority allocations by £4 million over the next three years to provide silicone cosmesis for prosthetic limb users. This funding started in April this year with £0.5 million for 2001–02, £1.5 million for 2002–03 and a further £2 million for 2003–04.
These amounts were in health authority general allocations. We will be writing to chief executives and finance directors of health authorities that commission prosthetic services to ensure this funding is available to disablement services centres.
The contract for purchasing the silicone cosmesis coverings was negotiated and awarded on 1 October 2001.