The survey was conducted
by an independent organisation, Quality Health, on behalf
of all the Health Boards and Health and Social Services
Councils in Northern Ireland. It was undertaken between
December 2000 and March 2001.
1.2
All 1,084 patients who
had been in touch with the Limb Service during the past
two years were sent a survey. 54% responded (589 people)
1.3
The biggest group of respondents
were patients aged 65 and over; 43% were in this group.
25% were aged under 45. Just over a third of the patients
were women; 64% were men.
1.4
Most patients (88%) had had an amputation, but 7%
were born with an incomplete limb. 3% had both an
amputation and an incomplete limb. The largest group
of limb-users were those who had an artificial limb
which fitted below the knee.
1.5
About 1 in 5 limb-users
had a job; most of them were in full time work, but
3% were part-timers.
