Is the Centre a Covid safe environment?

Every effort has been made to ensure that the centre has covid safe facilities. Each clinic room has been assessed with regard to the number of patients that should be in the room at the same time.

The waiting area has limited seats available now so if you are early you may be asked to wait in your care ( if appropriate) until the clinician is ready to see you.

The staff will ask you if you have any symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has symptoms. Please be patient with them even though you have probably been asked these questions before.

The staff will be wearing aprons, masks, visors, and gloves in the clinical areas for your safety.

Please bring a mask with you to wear on hospital premises unless you are exempt.

What other services/facilities are available at the Centre?

Information: The Centre has a wide range of leaflets regarding many aspects of limb loss and Prosthetic use. Click here for access to the full range of available leaflets prepared by centre staff.

The Centre has a range of relevant information leaflets prepared by third parties located by the fitting rooms covering a wide range of topics.

If you are unable to attend the centre to access these and you need advice on benefits, help with health costs, exercise facilities in the community, charities related to limb loss, please contact a member of the clinical staff who will be able to signpost you to the appropriate service.

Refreshments: Due to current COVID regulations, the centre is unable to provide hot drinks. There is a drinking water fountain available..

Sandwiches, snacks and meals can be purchased from the hospital cafe, situated in the Atrium

Please bring food and drink with you if you are likely to need it.

Toileting: There are accessible toilets with facilities for disabled people. Staff are available to help you with your personal needs, and to provide any assistance you require.

Baby changing facilities are also available.

Chaperone: If you require a chaperone then please ask at the reception desk and someone would be pleased to assist you. Please state whether the chaperone needs to be male or female.

Language Interpreter: An interpreter can be arranged to attend each of your appointments if English is not your first language. Please request this when you make your appointment. You will be encouraged to use an interpreter so that you receive the detailed information about prosthetic use and can put your views forwards to the staff. It is not always possible to have a family member with you throughout the whole process especially in single sex facilities.

Signing for the deaf: A person to sign for you can be arranged on request.

Wheelchairs: A loan wheelchair is available whilst attending the Centre if you require one. Please ask one of the therapy staff to select the wheelchair suitable to your individual requirements.

Children: Within the waiting area is a children’s play area. The children’s fitting room has a variety of toys.

As these areas are unsupervised, the Trust cannot be held responsible for the children’s safety. Please therefore ensure children are supervised at all times.

Will it be helpful for me to talk to another patient who is in a similar situation?

It is often helpful to talk to someone who has been in a similar situation to you and to compare notes and learn from their experience.  It is important that you talk to someone who has a similar medical history, has had their amputation for a similar reason and is on a similar rehabilitation pathway. The team will be pleased to find a suitable ‘match’ for you and our Counsellor will be able to set up the initial meeting. Please let a clinician know if you would like this to be arranged for you.

Can I be more involved in the running of the Centre?

Suggestions: To maintain our service standard and wherever possible implement improvements, we would welcome your comments and/or suggestions. A suggestion box is provided and you can comment anonymously or include your name and address for a response.

There is a User Group that patients can attend to hear about the running of the centre and contribute their ideas. Please contact the reception staff to express an interest in joining the group.

The group meet 3 or 4 times a year at the hospital.

How do I make a complaint?

If you are not happy with the service that we provide, we would like to hear from you so that we can try to make improvements that will benefit everyone. In the first instance do speak to a member of staff to see if they can address your concerns.

If you are still concerned you can make an appointment with the reception desk to meet the manager  Mrs Rosemary Mead.

Otherwise you can write to Rosemary at:

Dorset Prosthetic Centre

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Castle Lane East

Bournemouth

Dorset.

BH7 7DW

Or contact by telephone on: 0300 019 4363.

Alternatively you can write to:

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to raise a concern. They will deal with the concerns that you have and will ask the centre to respond to those concerns..

Or you can write to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service at:

Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Castle Lane East

Bournemouth

Dorset. BH7 7DW

Tel: 0300 019 4886

How we can help you during the pandemic

Firstly, we remain open and the team are here to help you. Please do contact us for advice or an appointment. Leaving a problem too long may cause issues later on that could have been prevented.

Which members of staff work at the Dorset Prosthetic Centre?

Consultant:

The Consultant sees all new amputees, as well as people who are considering amputation when they have a choice.

The Consultant is responsible for assessing medical fitness to proceed or continue with prosthetic limb wearing.

All users of the prosthetic centre can ask to see the Consultant whenever they need, e.g. for residual limb or phantom limb pain, skin problems or wound problems.

Clinical Specialist Nurse:

A specialist nurse is available to offer advice and practical help to users of the Centre. The nurse assesses and re-dresses wounds, completes diabetic reviews and offers advice on managing a healthy lifestyle.

Prosthetists:

A Prosthetist is the clinician whom you are likely to have the most contact with. They are trained to design and fit an artificial limb specific to each individual. They will assess your residual limb, overall fitness and prosthetic needs to design you a limb that will fit your everyday needs. It is important to have a good working relationship and communication with your prosthetist as you are likely to be involved with them long term. The more you work with your prosthetist, the better the outcome of your prosthesis.

Prosthetists are supported by technicians who make, repair and maintain your prosthetic limb(s).

Clinical Support Technician (CST):

The CST is a highly trained technician who is able to see you for any mechanical repairs and general maintenance of your prosthesis. The CST does not deal with issues of socket fit and will not change your prescription. However the CST may be able to make your socket more comfortable by adding some padding.

Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist:

A specialist physiotherapist is available to offer comprehensive assessments to new or established users. The physiotherapist can provide walking training to maximise your walking ability, assessment of musculoskeletal problems and offer advice on exercising, accessing leisure facilities and practical issues around the home and driving. The Physio can complete certain phantom pain treatments. In addition the physiotherapist also liaises closely with hospitals in the region undertaking treatment of amputees to ensure a consistently high quality service.

Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist:

A specialist Occupational Therapist (OT) is available to undertake comprehensive functional assessments for individuals who attend the Centre. The OT can offer advice on completing everyday activities/ tasks around the home, advice on washing and dressing, toileting and equipment and modifications to the home environment that promotes independence. The OT can also provide advice on accessing work, leisure activities and on driving. This applies whether you are a prosthetic user or not.

The OT is able to offer support, advice and practical strategies for coping to both new and established users of upper limb prosthesis, providing advice on the completion of activities/ tasks with and without the use of a prosthesis.

Children’s Key Worker:

Either the Physiotherapist or the Occupational Therapist will act as the keyworker for any children that come to the centre and can support needs at nursery or school as well as with everyday activities and sports. They will endeavour to be at each prosthetic appointment so that the parent or guardian can discuss any problems that occur that may prevent your child from integrating into normal activities.

Support and Counselling Therapist:

The Counsellor is there to help you with the emotional and psychological adjustments that may be required before or after limb amputation. The Counsellor provides an opportunity for you to discuss your concerns, fears and feelings that you may have difficulty in expressing and will help you to deal with your emotions using a variety of talking therapies. If you would like to see her you can ask the staff, or ring her on 01202 704423 for an appointment. She does sometimes see people at home if necessary. She is also happy to see family members if they too are having trouble coming to terms with your limb loss.

Podiatrist:

The Podiatrist is concerned with the assessment and diagnosis and treatment of problems of the feet and will look at the toenails, skin condition, blood supply and bony structures of your foot. The aim is to promote good foot health and prevent additional problems in your remaining foot. They carry out screening for problems and undertake foot health education for patients at risk of developing complications owing to their underlying medical condition e.g. Diabetes. They will also treat any comparable problems that occur on your residual limb (stump) as this becomes a weight bearing surface once you are a prosthetic user and subject to similar problems as your foot – e.g. callous and corns.

Orthotist:

Orthotists are trained to assess, design and fit orthotic devices specific to the individual patients needs and condition. ( The could include but are not limited to: be knee braces, insoles, calipers, and ankle braces). They will provide a range of “off the shelf” or custom made braces, splints and footwear to correct or maintain deformities, reduce pain, stabilise joints and aid movement. The Consultant or member of the clinical team will refer you to the Orthotist if there is the clinical need.

Administrative Staff:

The centre administration staff work to ensure the smooth running of the clinics and provide a prompt, responsive service. They will make an appointment for you and take and relay messages. They have experience of working in the centre with patients with limb loss and will be happy to talk to you to ensure that you see the appropriate professionals at each of your visits.

Who do the Staff work for?

The Consultant, Nurse, Therapists, Podiatrist, Counsellor and Administration staff all work for University Hospital Dorset.

You may notice that some staff members have a different logo on their uniform. This is because the Prosthetists, Clinical Support Technician, and Technicians work for a company that the trust has contracted with to make and supply the prosthetic limbs. This is because the company has a great deal of expertise in this field and they can provide the specialist training required on a nationwide basis.

The Trust employed staff and the contractor staff work as one team to ensure that you reach your optimum level of independence.