Experts in amputation and issues affecting those who have suffered limb loss have attended a leading conference in Manchester.
The all-day event, hosted by The Imperial War Museum North, was attended by leading professionals from the medical and legal sectors with presentations and seminars hosted by the national law firm, Stephensons.
Speakers included the national support organisation, The Limbless Association and amputee, Lisa Eagleton-Moore, who shared her account of the challenges faced by those who have suffered limb loss. Attendees were also able to draw on the experience of experts in catastrophic injury, clinical negligence and discrimination law with presentations from Cobden House Chambers and Andrew Leakey, a partner and solicitor at Stephensons.
Recent statistics suggest that there are approximately 20 amputations carried out per-day due to diabetes alone - often as a result of a misdiagnosis. It is believed that loss of blood supply to a limb – as found in cases of diabetes – is responsible for 70 per cent of all lower limb amputations, with trauma – as found in road traffic accidents – responsible for 57 per cent of upper body cases.
Other instances include service personal who have lost a limb in a conflict. This is particularly true of armed forces personnel present during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, where the prevalence of ‘improvised explosive devices’ (IEDs) led to more than 300 cases of surgical amputation, since 2001.
Kate Sweeney, Head of Personal Injury Law and Partner at Stephensons, said: “Amputation is one of the significant social issues of our time, particularly with the high number of road traffic injuries, diabetes-related amputations and limb loss due to missed diagnosis.
“The conference was a resounding success in bringing together some of the leading minds in the fields of amputation law, medicine and support services. Promoting strong working relationships between these sectors – which are too often disparate – is vital to ensuring that those who have suffered limb loss, or who struggle to adapt to their condition, are given the best possible care and support.”