What plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to make advanced microprocessor-controlled knees available to patients in Wales who have undergone amputations?
In Wales, NHS Prosthetic and Amputee Rehabilitation services are delivered in-house by three specialist Artificial Limb and Appliance Centres (ALAC) located in Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham. The service is centrally commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) on behalf of the seven Local Health Boards in Wales.
NHS Wales provide microprocessor controlled prosthetic knees to War Veterans in Wales in line with the criteria set out in the WHSSC War Veterans Enhanced Prosthetic Provision Commissioning Policy. Microprocessor knees for other patients were considered through the WHSSC independent Prioritisation Panel process in January 2017, but were not considered priority for inclusion within the WHSSC Integrated Commissioning Plan. WHSSC are in the early stages of scoping the prioritisation process for the next Integrated Commissioning Plan and will consider reviewing schemes which have previously been considered by the Panel.