Orthotics Service

COVID-19 service update: initial consultations for people with urgent/high priority needs will take place via phone or video call. 

Appointments will be face-to-face, if required.

Our community orthotic service provides a range of orthoses (artificial aids that support/correct unstable and/or painful joints) including:

• footwear
• insoles
• ankle foot orthoses
• knee braces
• spinal braces/supports
• custom-made orthoses.

The service treats patients of all ages, ranging from those with a temporary need, to those with a long-term need for orthotic intervention. Some people with chronic conditions such as stroke, polio or high-risk diabetes, may need a service from the orthotics service throughout their life.

We run clinics at Blandford Hospital, Bridport Hospital, Maple Place (Poole), Portland Hospital, Swanage Hospital, Yeatman Hospital, Victoria Hospital (Wimborne) and Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools throughout the community. We also provide input to wards at Poole Hospital.

As a result of COVID-19, we have had to temporarily close or reduce a number of services to help limit the spread of the virus and prevent the local NHS being overwhelmed.

We are therefore temporarily unable to run clinics at Blandford, Portland, Swanage and Wimborne.

If you do need to visit one of our sites for an outpatient appointment, you will be directed to nearest operating clinic or clinic of your choosing.  We need you to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a face covering.

Contact Information

Orthotics Department
Maple Place
St. Marys Road
Poole
BH15 2LG
0300 019 22 98
dhc.orthotics.service@nhs.net

Referral process

Please note, orthotics is not a self-referral service.

General practitioners (GPs) refer patients directly to the orthotic service for assessment and treatment. Referrals are also accepted from community musculoskeletal services (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists and community nursing/midwifery) on behalf of a patient’s GP.

Patients referred by a consultant, and new to the orthotics service, will receive one treatment per condition within one six-month period. Patients cannot be referred to the orthotic service whilst attending the hospital and are seen as follow-up patients.

Referrals will be triaged by an appropriate member of the orthotics team and may be returned to the referrer if:

• Inadequate information is provided
• It is felt that a different service would be more appropriate for you.

You may be directed to high street suppliers for devices such as shoes and orthotic insoles.

Once a referral is accepted, to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and deal with any upturn in patient numbers, our team will contact your to arrange a virtual assessment by telephone or secure video consultation. We will ask you some specific questions and ask you to perform some movements in order to diagnose and assess your condition.

After a telephone assessment, if required, a face-to-face appointment will be made for you.

Follow-up appointments

Many of our patients with long term conditions, do not need regular follow up appointments with our orthotist. Instead, some patients are offered 'patient initiated follow up' appointments (PIFU). This is where you arrange a follow-up appointment as and when you need it. 

Your referral will be left open with the service for two years after your last appointment date, after this time you may need a new referral from your GP or health care profession to access the service.

The orthotist responsible for your care will tell you what symptoms or complications after treatment to look out for, that would mean you should make an appointment. They will also provide you with the information you need on how to contact the service.