Request for Information.

Request for Information.

Pankhurst Christian (GUY'S AND ST THOMAS' NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

7/8/2013

Dear List,

I am working in London (UK) and am trying to put a piece of work together for a campaign to reduce the number of preventable amputations in the diabetic community. As part of this, we are trying to show the costs to both the Health services/NHS and the patient/patient's family (financially, physically and mentally) of amputation, weather that be of a partial foot, below knee, through knee, trans-femoral or through hip.

The costs of rehabilitation (including wheelchairs, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, OT...) as well as ongoing costs following successful rehabilitation and someone being a successful limb wearer are also being asked for.



I realise that there is a huge variation between patients, however all papers who quote amputation seem to look at the cost of surgery only and not the actual cost of Rehabilitation and the lifelong cost from then on.


Is anyone aware of any literature papers which might show where the costs lie (both financial (surgery, physiotherapy, wheelchairs, OT...) and the non-financial (physical cost, social cost, emotional/mental...))? If not, does anyone have such information available?

I have been asked, ideally, if I can show a rough/estimated calculable cost of a typical partial foot, a below knee amputation and one above knee, as well as acknowledging what the non-financial ones are.
I have then been asked to see how the costs are for someone undergoing a second/contralateral amputation as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

With many thanks and best wishes,
Christian