Welcome!
Welcome to the Great Western Hospital’s Orthotics Service. The team provides support for patients with many different conditions for varying periods of time, from a single appointment to a lifetime of support.
The Orthotics team works closely with other healthcare professionals across the health community, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The main aim of the service is to provide functional devices that aid rehabilitation or that help to maintain or enhance a patient’s quality of life.
What are orthoses?
Orthoses are medical devices like footwear, insoles and joint supports that are used to ease pain, to support an impaired body part or to prevent a condition getting worse.
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Orthoses are often tailored to individual patients.
What do orthoses cost?
Orthoses can be very expensive because of the technology used in them, the materials they are made from and the fact that they are often tailor-made for individual patients. For example:
· A pair of bespoke adult shoes or boots can cost between £400 and £800
· A pair of children’s shoes or boots can cost between £60 and £200
· A pair of bespoke insoles can cost between £200 and £400
· A knee brace can cost between £50 and £1,500
· A spinal brace costs around £400
Prescription charges
Patients must pay prescription charges for the following items: wigs, stockings and abdominal/lumbar supports. The price for these prescriptions has been set nationally and is not optional.
Voluntary Donations
The hospital welcomes donations of any size towards the costs of orthoses. If you wish to make a donation, you can complete the form on the back of this leaflet, speak to a member of the team or call 01793 605089.
PATIENT DONATION FORM
Name:………………………………………………………………
Hospital/NHS number (if known):………………………......
Address:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Telephone number:………………………………………………
I would like to make a voluntary donation towards the cost of my device of: (please tick box)
£10 £100
£25 The full cost of my device
£50 Another amount: ………..
How to donate:
You can donate by cash or cheque to the Orthotics Department. Alternatively, you can donate by debit or credit card (excluding American Express) via the Cashiers Desk on the second floor of the Great Western Hospital.
Author/location: Terri king
Date Produced: February 2011
Review date: December 2013
Contact Tel: 01793 604893
Leaflet number: PALS PiL - 0558
Information for Patients referred to the Orthotics Service
Orthotics contact number: 01793 605089
If you would like this information in another format i.e. LARGE PRINT or another language, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01793 604031