To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is being made available to NHS Artificial Limb and Appliance Centres to meet the extension of provision to veterans of earlier conflicts.

Funding for prosthetic and orthotic care and services is provided within the NHS budget and allocated through local determination by individual primary care trusts (PCTs). The current operating framework for the national health service requires commissioners to take account of military personnel, their families and veterans when commissioning services in their area. It is for PCTs in partnership with local stakeholders, including practice based commissioners, local government and the public to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and to commission services accordingly. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of prosthetic services for former service personnel.

On 24 March 2010, up to £10 million of funding to research concerning the management of disability after acute trauma in a military or civilian context was launched through the National Institute of Health Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre. This includes research for people needing physical or psychological rehabilitation following trauma. Further information about the research funding can be found at:

www.hta.ac.uk/news/newsitem240310.shtml