Amputees (Hansard, 22 January 2002)

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many amputees there are in England. [26593]

§ Jacqui Smith
The latest collection of data from the year 1998–99 reported that there were 51,498 patients with amputations in contact with their national health service limb centre in England.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued on the use of ischial containment sockets for amputees. [26585]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Department has not issued any central guidelines for the issue of ischial containment sockets. Ischial containment sockets for amputees are issued on the basis of a clinical decision made by the multi-professional team at a national health service trust.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many amputations have been carried out in each of the last five years for which records exist, as a result of necrotising fasciitis. [26592]

§ Jacqui Smith
The information requested is not available centrally.