The most up-to-date prosthetic limbs are to be given to injured personnel who have their legs amputated.
The Government has set aside £6.5m for the limbs, it has been announced.
The micro-processor limbs, which are known as ‘bionic legs’, will be given to service personnel wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq. The prosthetic limbs will provide greater mobility and stability.
It is a move that is expected to help about 160 members of the armed forces.
The charity Help for Heroes says that the money will help “transform lives”.
The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that giving troops the best possible support and care was a top priority.
Chancellor George Osborne said: “Our troops are heroes who have and continue to give absolutely everything for their country and it is only right that we do everything possible to help them, especially when they suffer injury.
“I am delighted, therefore, that we have been able to make funding available for this cutting-edge prosthetic technology, which will go a long way to improving the lives of people who have done so much for the UK.”
Experts say the ‘bionic legs’, which are the same as those used by Derek Derenalagi, the Paralympics discus thrower and former soldier, will greatly improve the quality of life and speed of rehabilitation for amputees.
It’s great news that this money is being set aside. The hope would be that these limbs would be available to all amputees so that quality of life and speed of rehabilitation can be improved for all people who lose a leg.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21497473
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