NHS England have joined their Scottish and Irish counterparts in routinely providing micro-processor knees for those NHS patients who meet the criteria.

Blesma has been associated with this policy decision from the early stages as part of the Prosthetic Sub Group of the Clinical Reference Group for Complex disability Equipment.

Blesma Support Officer for Prosthetics, Brian Chenier, says: “Blesma has joined with others representing the limb loss community in England as many of our Members are living with limb loss for reasons not directly related to their military service. We are delighted that some of our associate members may now be able to benefit from the provision of Micro Processor Controlled Knees in the same way we have seen many of our veterans of recent conflicts that were initially prescribed this kind of prosthetic device whilst at Headley Court.”

“It is clear to us that the way in which our veterans have shown how life changing such prosthetics can be has influenced this debate and helped to bring about this decision.”

This will not have an adverse effect on those currently funded by the Veterans Prosthetics Panel.

Clinicians will have to prove that patients meet specific prescribing criteria and Blesma Members should discuss their needs directly with their limb centre clinical team. Members should direct any questions they may have to Brian Chenier at bsoprosthetics@blesma.org or 0208 548 7080.