Opcare
NHS Services » Exeter
Exeter
Tel: 01392 275081
Exeter Mobility Centre
NHS Trust: Royal Devon & Exeter healthcare NHS trust
Wonford Road
Exeter
Devon
EX2 4DU
Tel: 01392 275081 (opcare Reception) / 403643 (Operations Manager) /403639 (CST)
Fax: 01392 403667
Opening Times
Monday - Thursday: 08.30-5.00pm
Friday: 08.30-4.30pm
Clinical Support Technician (CST)
If you are experiencing technical problems with your prosthesis that do not concern alignment, socket fit or comfort then please ask to see our Clinical Support Technician (CST). Appointments can be made at very short notice on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays by contacting reception on 01392 403649. You can also ask to speak with the CST at anytime for advise or assistance.
LATEST NEWS!
Opcare clinicians design world's first prosthetic arm with integrated smartphone
Prosthetists at the Exeter Mobility Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter hospital have designed and created the world's first prosthetic arm with a built in dock for a smartphone for patient Trevor Prideaux.
Mr Prideaux was born without a left arm and after identifying the use of a smartphone as incremental to his quality of living, decided to approach several smartphone manufacturers with the idea of somehow integrating it into a prosthesis.
Mr Prideaux's requests unfortunately fell on deaf ears, but after a recent upgrade to the Nokia C7 smartphone, his passion for the idea grew again. He approached Opcare clinicians based in the Exeter Mobility Centre. Senior Prosthetist, Stephen Gallichan alongside Technician, Les Street and Undergraduate, Sarah Bennett then produced a prototype using a mould of the smartphone. The phone sits neatly in the arm though is still easy to remove if required.
Trevor commented:
"Now when I get call I can either hold my arm up to my ear or put it on speaker phone. I can also take it out if I need to. Texting is also much easier and a lot safer."
"I am hugely grateful to the people at the EMC. This is a leap forward which has helped me out a lot and can also aid others."
Amputee Challenge
In May And June 2011, one of our patients, Colin Edwards, is running 630 miles on the South West Coastal Path for charity. He will be running 10 miles a day. And Opcare have sponsored him!
Follow Colin's training blog or make a donation:
www.justgiving.com/colinedwards-run.
www.port-er.com
Good luck Colin!
Read archived news articles here
Centre Information
There are a number of services available with the Exeter Mobility Centre (EMC), including both NHS and opcare resources. The service is provided throughout Devon and Somerset. This award winning multi-disciplinary team works closely together to provide optimal management for a variety of ailments.
These services include:
Wheelchair
The Wheelchair Service assess clients for provision of:
- wheelchairs and children's buggies for people with long-term mobility problems
- pressure care cushions for wheelchairs
- equipment to provide postural support in wheelchairs or buggies
Orthotics
The Orthotics Service assess clients for provision of:
- insoles
- footwear
- ankle foot orthoses
- knee orthoses
- spinal orthoses
- upper extremity orthoses
- helmets
These aim to provide support or protection due to structural or musculoskeletal deficiencies.
Prosthetics
The Prosthetics Department assess clients for provision of a prostheses after amputation due to:
- congenital limb disease
- trauma
- vascular disease
The Prosthetics Department are included within the surgical team for pre and post amputation consultation involving weekly ward rounds and one-off consultations.
The Prosthetics Department also hold a silicone clinic every 6 to 8 weeks where patients with digital amputations and patients requiring a higher degree of cosmesis can be assessed for a high definition life-like silicone finish.
Physiotherapy
The Physiotherapy Department assess patients having recently had an amputation including assessing muscle strength, balance, ranges of movement and functional capabilities.
Once the prosthesis has been issued, the physiotherapists begin gait training and re-education of how to walk utilising a prosthesis. This will begin with parallel bars and work up to sticks, crutches or a frame. Dependent upon the patient, they may then progress to walking without any assistive device.
A patient can return for further gait training if required at a later date.
Counselling
The Counselling Service is open to anyone who is affected by limb loss. This may be families, friends or patients themselves. Our Counselling Service helps these people deal with their situation and is of great benefit. The service begins on the ward with ward rounds twice a week. This is offered on a one-to-one basis at the bedside or over the phone if the patient us unable to travel. The counsellor can provide information and support regarding the stages pre and post amputation via information support or formal counselling.
Direct Line: 01392 403654
Occupational Therapy
The Occupational Therapist provides assistance and training for the patient to be able to cope with activities of daily living and can provide information on gaining access to NHS/non-NHS services and equipment. This may include visits to the patient's home/work-place to be able to ascertain the extent of help required. This may also include information on getting back to driving.
For upper limb patients, everyday tasks will require training such as cooking while wearing the prosthesis.
Alongside these services, we also offer a pioneering new technique for the management of phantom limb pain called Mirror Visual Feedback (MVF). This involves using mirrors to translate the image of the sound side onto the amputee's residuum. This then enables the patient to control the phantom limb and as such can ease pain. This technique is only offered in a handful of centres.
At the EMC we believe in working closely with the patient to maximise treatment potential, and as such the EMC Amputee User Group hold meetings which enable us to improve our services by taking on the patients views. These meetings allow all varieties of amputee to view their opinions and can address any issues requiring attention.
Along with the Prosthetic User Group, we also retain close links with Cornwall Mobility. This firm provides driving assessments for the DVLA to ensure that any patient wishing to get back to driving is safe to do so. Assessments are carried out at the EMC as this allows any feedback to be given straight to a prosthetist.
The Prosthetics Department also works closely with the locally based charity PORT-ER (Prosthetic, Orthotic and Rehabilitation Technique - Education and Research). PORT-ER's aim is to bring about better patient care through national and international development. In order to do this, they provide grant funding for individuals, groups and professionals to encourage an international exchange of skills, knowledge and user support.
Upon arrival to the EMC, you will be met by our friendly reception team, who will receive all enquiries and pass them on to the appropriate clinician. The receptionists will book in appointment attendees and will inform us of your arrival, ensuring swift and prompt time-keeping.
The facilities in the EMC include a WRVS that provides tea, coffee, sandwiches and a variety of tasty treats for patients and staff! With our newly refurbished children's waiting area, parents are able to relax while waiting for their appointments allowing children to play in a comfortable and safe environment.
A pay and display car park is available for all patients through our dedicated car park with several disabled spaced provided.
Opcare clinicians design world's first prosthetic arm with integrated smartphone
Prosthetists at the Exeter Mobility Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter hospital have designed and created the world's prosthetic arm with a built in dock for a smartphone for patient Trevor Prideaux.
Mr Prideaux was born without a left arm and after identifying the use of a smartphone as incremental to his quality of living, decided to approach several smartphone manufacturers with the idea of somehow integrating it into a prosthesis.
Mr Prideaux's requests unfortunately fell on deaf ears, but after a recent upgrade to the Nokia C7 smartphone, his passion for the idea grew again. He approached Opcare clinicians based in the Exeter Mobility Centre. Senior Prosthetist, Stephen Gallichan alongside Technician, Les Street and Undergraduate, Sarah Bennett then produced a prototype using a mould of the smartphone. The phone sits neatly in the arm though is still easy to remove if required.
Trevor commented:
"Now when I get call I can either hold my arm up to my ear or put it on speaker phone. I can also take it out if I need to. Texting is also much easier and a lot safer."
"I am hugely grateful to the people at the EMC. This is a leap forward which has helped me out a lot and can also aid others."