Prosthetics service referrals

The prosthetics service is for patients who:

• have a prosthesis (i.e. artificial limb or other external body part), or
• have had an amputation and might need a prosthesis, or
• have an absent limb or body part for some other reason and might need a prosthesis, or
• is being considered for an amputation and needs advice beforehand.

The following points need to be considered when making a referral:

• The service is funded nationally and commissioning and funding is rarely a problem.
• All patients are seen on an outpatient basis; rarely a patient might be admitted if they have lost three or four limbs at the same time.
• The centre focuses on providing the prosthesis and giving advice on rehabilitation, but for patients from outside Oxfordshire the therapeutic input comes from local services supported by the centre.
• The service sees patients of all ages.

Referrals and contact can be about:

• urgent need for repair of a prosthesis
• need for rapid advice before amputation
• a new clinical problem in someone already known to the service
• a person who is new to the service, usually after an amputation.

Making a referral

For patients new to the service, or those with a new clinical problem, a referral should be made by email outlining the particular problem.

For patients who are new to the service, the following specific information should be included:

• underlying disease or damage causing limb loss or threatening limb loss
• limb affected and level of loss
• any pre-existing or current other disabling diseases likely to affect use of a limb
• current physical ability.

Email: oxford.prostheticservice@ouh.nhs.uk (put 'prosthetics referral' in subject line)

All referrals of people who have recently had an amputation are considered as soon as they arrive.

Potential outcomes

• Referral appropriate and funding available. An appointment will be made for the patient to be seen in the next combined prosthetic assessment clinic (a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic attended by a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist and prosthetist).
• The patient's location means that they are better seen in their own local prosthetic service and the referrer will be advised of the name and address of that service.

Contact us

Prosthetics Department
1st Floor, Oxford Centre for Enablement
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
Windmill Road
Oxford OX3 7HE

• Administration team: 01865 227295
• Prosthetic Nurse: 01865 227295
• Prosthetic Occupational Therapy: 01865 227279
• Prosthetic Physiotherapy: 01865 227272