Huge advances in technology and demands for better care have forced
Limb Fitting Centres to adapt quickly. Have you visited yours recently?
Words: Sam Webster Pictures: Michael Kelly
Centres that
fit your needs
no matter Whether you
are a recent amputee or a
veteran who lost a limb decades
ago, making sure that you have
a prosthesis that is tailored to
your individual needs is vital.
The essential first step to
maximising the effectiveness
of your prosthesis is to get the
right support and advice. Over the last decade there
have been significant advances in technology and,
following the publication of the Murrison Report in
2011, the care network that is available (see the panel
on p32 for more on the report).
Dr Fergus Jepson, a consultant in rehabilitation
medicine at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation
Centre in Preston, has been working in amputee
rehabilitation for more than 10 years. He explains what
goes on at his centre, recent changes in policy, and
what to expect on your next visit to your consultant.
Why you should visit your Limb Centre
You may feel that you’re getting along absolutely fine
with your current prosthesis, but Dr Jepson encourages
everyone to visit their local centre for a check-up at
least once a year as they may not be aware just how
advanced modern prosthetics have become.
“You may be an older person battling along with
what you’ve got, but go along and have a look what’s
on offer,” says Dr Jepson. “If you have concerns about
your prosthesis, whatever they may be, you definitely
need to talk to a consultant, but even if you don’t, there
might be something available, or you might be entitled
to a service or treatment that you weren’t aware of.
Technology in this area has soared over the last 10
years and we are seeing immeasurable improvements.”
For those who have lost a limb or limbs more
recently, meeting with a consultant is usually the initial
stage in smoothing the transition from Headley Court,
the Ministry of Defence’s dedicated rehabilitation
centre, into NHS care. “Headley Court is a great
facility that benefits from a lot of funding, but we want
to show patients that they can get equivalent care on
the NHS,” says Dr Jepson. “The only way to prove this
is if patients are ultimately satisfied with the treatment
and provisions they are given here.”
The Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre in
Preston holds several Open Days every year so that
prospective patients can go along with their families
and take a look around to see the services on offer.
At Preston that includes a wheelchair service, seven
fitting rooms, a psychology office, physiotherapy room,
consultancy room, gym, prosthesis and cast rooms,
and a workshop. “The Open Days are held for veterans
attending the PRU who are approaching transition
into the NHS. As far as I’m aware, no other centre has
planned such an event. We give a presentation, then
take people for a tour of the unit so they see everything
we do here,” says Dr Jepson. “We also answer questions
about how things work and explain timelines. It means
people feel comfortable when their treatment begins
because they know what to expect and there aren’t
any surprises. We also have a dedicated phone line
and email address for veterans so they can get through
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