Innovation
Opcare are innovators. We embrace and lead change in this industry sector. We were the first company to:
Until the 1980s the artificial limb (prosthetics) service was provided outside of the NHS. This was in part because the service pre-dated the formation of the NHS in 1948. The first need for production of artificial limbs came on a massive scale after the First World War. Much of the service in the UK at this time was provided by Hanger Orthopaedic, which is today one of the largest orthopaedic companies in the world (based in the USA).
Many of the users of artificial limbs at that time were, of course, ex-servicemen. Following the Second World War the need for the service grew significantly again. At this time the service came under the purview of the Department of Health and Social Security as it was formerly aligned with pensions for military personnel.
‘….the only UK company owned and led by a prosthetist – our Chief Executive Mr Michael O’Byrne’
In contrast, the orthotics service was provided within the NHS. Orthoses were called ‘appliances’ and the service was provided by ‘appliance fitters’.
From the 1980’s there was a big shift in the reasons people were coming to the service. We were now seeing an increasing demand due to the effects of peripheral vascular disease and diabetes. Today, diabetes is the main cause of amputation.
‘….today the Group remains a leading exponent and supplier of 3D laser imaging in the UK.’
As CEO, Michael O’Byrne has constantly driven the services forward in terms of innovation. Having spent many years as a prosthetist he realised that the use of CADCAM technologies could improve the quality of the socket fit and be more efficient. He brought the ‘Tracer’ system to the UK in the 1990’s and today the Group remains a leading exponent and supplier of 3D laser imaging in the UK, using the latest CAD CAM technology in combination with our robotic 7 axes carver. http://www.ortho-europe.com/CAD-CAM
Our mission is to provide professional services in a caring and informative manner. We seek to continually develop our understanding of the needs of each individual user and apply our knowledge to optimise their quality of life.
Opcare continues to grow and develop. The past decade has seen the business successfully expand into the area of Posture & Mobility where we have been able to harness our significant experience in P&O to now partner the NHS in providing wheelchair services.
We believe in equality of opportunity within Opcare. View our Gender Pay Gap Statements.