Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her department is taking to support children with limb difference.

The Amputee Rehabilitation and Prosthetics Services for People of All Ages with Limb Loss and Limb Difference service specification sets out the support that children with limb difference should receive.

This includes personalised care and support from prosthetists and therapists, access to community diagnostic centres, health visitors, special educational needs coordinators, and the paediatric safeguarding team where appropriate. Paediatric services should also include annual reviews with a consultant in rehabilitation medicine and relevant multidisciplinary team members, mental health and psychological support, consultations with surgeons with expertise in surgical techniques relevant to limb difference, referrals to medical genetics where appropriate, and a system of peer support.

The service specification was developed following extensive engagement with patient groups and staff.