Orthotics - The Orthotic Service

Introduction

This leaflet is for people who have been referred to the Orthotics service.

It will explain what will happen when you come for your first appointment. We hope you find this information useful.

If you require further information prior to your appointment, or you are unable to attend, please telephone the Orthotics department where the appointment has been made as soon as possible:

Bury, Rochdale or Oldham: 0161 778 2670
Email: nca.orthotics@nca.nhs.uk

Salford: 0161 206 4912
Email: salford.orthotics@nca.nhs.uk

For further information about our service, please visit:

www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/our-services/orthotics

Our sites are open for collection and dropping off devices:

Bury: Tuesdays only
Rochdale: Thursdays only
Oldham: Mondays only
Salford: Monday - Friday

What is the Orthotics service and why have I been referred?

Orthotics is a service that provides devices called Orthoses. These are given to help to prevent or correct deformity and/or improve function. This can be as a result of injury or due to the way our bodies alter as we get older.

Orthoses fall into one of the following groups:

• Shoes and insoles
• Calipers and splints
• Knee braces
• Back supports
• Wrist braces
• Support hosiery
• Collars
• Hip braces
• Arm braces
• Protective helmets

What happens at my first appointment?

You will be seen by an Orthotist to assess your needs. An Orthotist is a clinician qualified to assess and measure for all classes of Orthoses. He or she will use the information received from your referrer (usually a hospital consultant or your GP) in order to design the correct Orthosis to best meet your individual needs.

To examine you properly you may need to remove some of your clothes. The Orthotist may be of the opposite sex. If you are uncomfortable with this, and would like to be accompanied, please bring a friend or family member to the appointment with you.

If you need us to arrange for a member of staff to be with you during the examination please contact the Orthotics service, on the number at the beginning of this leaflet, before your appointment.

It is difficult to know in advance how long patients will need to spend with the clinician, and unforeseen delays may occur.

We will try to keep waiting times to a minimum and give explanations, but we ask that you are patient during these times.

Will I need to bring anything with me?

If you have been given any Orthoses in the past, please bring them with you. Failure to do so may result in a delay in your new Orthosis being provided.

Will I have to come back for further appointments?

Some Orthoses can be provided on the day and others need to be specially made or ordered for you. You will be told about this at your appointment.

If necessary, you will receive a further appointment in order to be fitted with your Orthosis. If needed, you will also receive a review appointment to make sure everything is all right with the orthosis.

Will I have to pay?

Some Orthoses, for example wigs, fabric supports and stockings will incur an Orthosis prescription charge, just like medicines prescribed by your GP. If you are exempt from prescription charges please bring the proof with you to your appointment.

Failure to do so could result in a delay in your new Orthosis being provided.

What am I entitled to?

If the Orthotist decides that you may benefit from an Orthosis the information below outlines what you are entitled to:

Type of orthosis

Footwear - While every effort is made to supply footwear that is commercially acceptable, this is not fashion footwear and must always be suitable for the patient's foot shape and condition and meet the needs.

Entitlement:

• Adults - A maximum of two pairs of boots or shoes
• Children - One pair of boots or shoes due to the rate at which children grow

We do not replace shoes and boots every year. They will only be replaced when it is no longer economical to repair them, for growth reasons or if the orthotist decides they are no longer suitable for your condition.

Adaptation of footwear

Patients will provide their own footwear for the following:

• Addition of raises to compensate for a difference in leg length
• Flaring out or wedging of heels to correct foot posture
• Sockets and t-straps for calipers

Entitlement:

• Adults - A maximum of 3 pairs of shoes initially and then up to 2 pairs a year thereafter, which must be kept in good condition. If more are requested you will be asked to pay for them.
• Children - One pair (due to the rate at which they grow)

Orthosis and Entitlement

Insoles - Adults: One pair.  Children: One pair
Calipers - One caliper or a pair if both legs are affected
Splints - One splint or a pair if both legs are affected
Knee braces - One knee brace or a pair if both knees are affected
Wrist Supports - One wrist support or a pair if both wrists are affected
Collars - One soft collar
Fabric Supports - One fabric support
Elastic Hosiery - Two pairs of elastic stockings or tights
Wigs - One stock wig will be provided for short-term hair loss. Two stock wigs will be provided for long-term hair loss.

Car Parking

Pay and Display car parking facilities are available in the hospital grounds. Illegal car parking is subject to clamping. Disabled car parking spaces are also provided. Please allow enough time to find a parking space as our car parks can be very busy.

Ambulance Transport

Should you require an ambulance to bring you to the appointment please be aware that you will need to book this yourself. The Booking Centre will be able to provide further information.

It is Trust Policy that relatives and friends cannot interpret for patients, and a Trust interpreter must be used. Should you require an interpreter please contact the Central Interpretation Booking Office on 0161 627 8770 in advance of your appointment.

Deaf patient bookings:

Email: interpretation@nca.nhs.uk
Typetalk: 0161 656 1917
Text: 07966003540