Opcare

Manchester

Tel: 0161 434 4167

Manchester Disablement Services Centre
NHS Trust: South Manchester University Hospitals NHS trust
Withington Hospital
Cavendish Road
Manchester
M20 1JG

Tel: 0161 434 4167 (opcare Centre Manager) / 0161 611 3848 (NHS Directorate Manager)
Fax: 0161 448 9446

Web: www.uhsm.nhs.uk

 

Patient information incl. directions and centre map

Manchester Prosthetic User Group

 

Opening Times

Monday - Thursday: 08.30-5.00pm
Friday: 08.30-4.00pm

 

Technical Support Clinic

If you are experiencing technical problems with your prosthesis that DO NOT concern alignment, socket fit or comfort then please make an appointment at our Technical Support Clinic (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 10.00am-12noon; Thursday 1-2pm).

 

LATEST NEWS!

20.12.11: Counselling and Hypnosis. For Patients and their families attending the Manchester Disablement Services Centre
When someone loses a limb or has a child born without a limb, the emphasis is often on the medical and limb fitting procedures. It can be a tense and emotional time for those involved. Sometimes there has not been enough time or space to talk about the stresses that need to be dealt with. This is why the counselling service is available

What is counselling
Counselling is a process which helps people to talk about their present and past thoughts and feelings in order to use their own strengths and live their lives effectively. People use counselling in different ways and there are many reasons why counselling is asked for

Some reasons are to:
•Help with the shock of losing a limb or having a child born without a limb
•Help with feelings of loss
•Help with being in pain
•Make a decision
•Build self-confidence
•Cope with change - improve relationships with family and friends
•Come to terms with feelings
•Talk through pre amputation anxiety.

How do I get in touch with a counsellor?
Any of the professionals involved in helping you at the centre can give your name to the counsellor who will then contact you to make an appointment. Alternatively ring the centre, leave your name and phone number and the counsellor will get in touch with you.

Is what I say kept private?
Yes. The Counsellor will explain to other professionals directly involved in helping you that you are attending the service. However you may be discussing very personal matters and they will respect a request not to pass on details to other agencies, subject to requirements of law and local procedures.

What happens at my first appointment
Most people use their first session to talk about things that led them to book the appointment. You may want to come once or twice only or for a longer session. Whatever you decide, the counsellor will work with you to help minimise and ease your concerns.

Hypnosis
Can be used for a variety of interventions including:
- The relief of phantom pain
- The relief of stump pain
- Anxiety

 

 

25.05.11: About Me, Dean Lahan 

Hi, my name is Dean Lahan I am 13 years old and when I was 17 months old I lost my right leg, all the fingers on my left hand also half the fingers on my right hand. I lost them because of meningitis, which I was lucky to survive from! However because I was so young I adapted very well to my disability and get on and love life just like any other able bodied person.
I got my first leg when I was about 20 months old which was very different to the one I have now, because now I have one that has a knee joint in it, which means I can ride bikes and kneel down and every other thing that other people can do.

At home I love to draw and do all art related things. Also in my spare time on Mondays and Thursdays I go to army cadets and previously I went on a camp at linnet clough in Mellor. We did indoor rock climbing and loads of fun activates, then on the Sunday we did orienteering with a map and compass.

I attend Stockport school and at my school in the PSHEE (Physical, Social, Health, Economic, Education) department, I do talks about my disability, this makes the students in my school realise what its like to have a false leg and missing fingers and show them how I cope, my PSHEE teacher tells me what positive feedback my talks get. I have also taught nearly the whole school about my disability , because of this I won the Princess Dianna Award. I was very proud to receive such a big award and am so chuffed with myself. With the award I was also in the paper. In school I just get along with everything and get treated just like every other student in my school and am happy just to be treated like everyone else.

 

Having a disability will not stop me with anything. I get along with everything life throws at me, and I will continue will achieving everything that I set out to do.

 

 

 

Read previous news articles here 

 

 

Centre Information

The clinical service in Manchester looks after approximately 2,500 patients and is supported by the NHS Administration Team and clinically by a multidisciplinary team including 2 consultants in amputee rehabilitation, 1 doctor, 3 physiotherapists, an occupational therapist, 2 nurses and a counsellor.

Opcare's team in Manchester consists of 16 technicians, 11 clinicians (2 of which currently specialise in working with upper limb patients), 2 administrators, 1 Patient Liaison Officer, 1 stock controller, 1 Production Manager and 1 Operations Manager. Two of our prosthetists perform dual roles and run an orthotic clinic fortnightly. Many of our team have been here at Manchester for a great number of years and therefore have a wealth of experience which is fully utilised in the care of our patients.

We also provide fortnightly services at satellite clinics in Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan and Bolton, plus a weekly clinic at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

 

 

MANFIT - Exercise for amputees! 

The Manchester Amputee Fitness Initiative (MANFIT) is evolving as they discover people's wants and needs. Their inclusion criterion is that attendees need to have been discharged from the DSC physiotherapists unless permission is gained from the DSC. The age limit is over 18yrs unless accompanied by an adult.

MANFIT aims to give participants confidence to get/keep fit and ultimately to integrate into 'normal' sports centres. This follows on from the strength, stamina and flexibility that lead to better operation of the prosthesis. The social interaction - during/after exercise and over a free lunch - together with exercise induced endorphin release, gives people the confidence to move on to integrated gym sessions or another place of their choice.

Participation is FREE. Gym sessions take place at The Manchester College Fitness Suite (Openshaw Campus) on Fridays 10.30-11.30 am followed by a free lunch. Membership is about 30 with 11-18 attending each week. An evening session has just commenced on Wednesdays from 6.30-7.30pm at Nicholls Campus for people who are not available during the day.

A weekly, exclusive, swimming group takes place at Manchester Aquatics Centre on Tuesdays from 1.00-2.00pm that is gradually building up membership with regular attendance of about 7-10. A personal plan has been given to each participant by pool staff.

Questionnaires are distributed to all new members and feedback questionnaires are used to assess satisfaction. Both include personal and health/fitness related data. Fitness is also assessed periodically by gym trainers (BP, weight, BMI, aerobic capacity etc).

MANFIT is funded by the Joint Health Unit and Manchester Leisure. If you are interested in joining or need more information please email: info@manfit.org, phone Margaret on 07776 181180 or visit: www.manfit.org

 

Manfit Poster; Swimming Sessions; Non-contact Boxing Training

 

  

 

 

Are you a prosthetic patient or carer? Are you interested in the service provided to prosthetic users? Would you like to become more involved in this service and help others?...If so, the Manchester Prosthetic User Group may be just what you are looking for! We are currently looking for new members to join us. If you are interested in more details, please contact Peter King on 07713 434486 or 01625 528820.