The Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss Group ‘APLLG’ announces a European Limb Loss Day on the 3rd December 2011, this being held within the European Day of People with Disabilities in collaboration with the European Commission. The rights of persons who have lost limbs and the barriers that they face for instance in their personal mobility or dexterity in their access to employment and healthcare would be further embraced within a national launch and associated activities.

With increasing numbers of people being directly or indirectly affected by limbloss the opportunities to help, inform, support and promote are there. These are in part highlighted in the poster presentation entitled “celebrating Quality; Equality & New Lives from Skilled Health & Social Care Services for People with Limb Loss

The benefits of this European Limb Loss Day will be wide ranging including patient or peer support crossing the borders; increasing public awareness of the ‘hidden disability’ that is Limb Loss to patient involvement and the promotion of best practices within the healthcare services, the workplace and society inclusion across the members states and beyond!

Also with London 2012 there are opportunities to build on the Paralympic games promoting ability over disability, exercise for fun and improved health, increased independence, and improved awareness of the risks of amputation and what can be done to prevent amputation.

The APLLG is already outreaching from the UK and feel it is a further opportunity to help, bringing limb loss individuals, their families and friends, stakeholders, healthcare professionals, service providers, manufacturers, innovators and others including parliamentary groups closer together as well as along with their European counterparts.
As Europe becomes increasing mobile and the societies become increasingly open such a day would benefit both the individual and the many caring healthcare professionals who provide many vital specialist services. Thereby further promoting cross and inter‐country structures that support and enhance service provision. Increased awareness of limb loss would also further assist in educating, informing and influencing specialist commissioners and commissioners and decision makers at all levels and across society (including employment) thereby enabling better decisions, increased access across society and borders whilst improving a more co‐ordinated service provision.

For clarity when we refer to Limb Loss it is not purely ‘amputees’ or ‘amputation’, as this also includes congenital limb loss, that is a limb loss from birth. Also this includes the prevention of Limb Loss for instance considering and raising awareness of Obesity and Diabetes but importantly also recognising the differing needs of Children and Old People