Our highly trained orthotics team carry out assessments and measurements, provide treatments and supply devices to help improve mobility or recovery from various medical conditions.
What is orthotics?
An orthosis is an externally applied device which aims to stabilise, support or offload different joints of the body. It may also be called a brace or a splint.
Therapeutic footwear is also provided by the orthotics department. These are specialised shoes that aim to improve function, reduce pressure, or accommodate a foot which cannot fit into high street footwear.
Orthotists are allied healthcare professionals registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), who specialise in the assessment of the whole body for biomechanical problems.
If appropriate, they may prescribe, measure for, fit or review an orthosis. The purpose and design of an orthosis may change over time, along with the changing needs of the patient.
In our orthotic department, we also have an associate practitioner, who specialises in the measuring and fitting of paediatric footwear and specialist fabric supports.
What we do
An orthotist will asses tendons, ligaments, bones, joints and other structures, and will create treatment plan with you to:
- Improve your movement and strength
- Help you to carry out more of your normal activities
- Help you reduce or manage your pain
- Help you understand and manage your problem with our support
We can prescribe and supply orthotic devices such as:
- Therapeutic footwear
- Insoles
- Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs)
- Knee braces
- Wrist and hand orthoses
- Devices to redistribute pressure
- Spinal braces
We can also give you advice about what you can do to improve your own health and to help you to manage your condition.
Our orthotics team
The orthotics service is made up of two orthotists and one associate practitioner. Our team work across two hospital sites in Stockton and Hartlepool and one community service.
The current team consists of:
- Dawn Blenkin and Samuel Elliot – team leads
- Abby Smith – lead orthotist
- Bryony White – orthotist
- Charlotte Murray – associate practitioner
Our administrative staff work in a centralised hub based at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
How can I be referred to the team?
You will be referred to us by a hospital health professional, for example by a physiotherapist or podiatrist.
Unfortunately, we do not accept GP or self-referrals at present.
Where are we based
Our clinics are run at various times, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
Contact us
Contact our admin team
For both the North Tees and Hartlepool clinics, please contact our admin team on the following number:
University Hospital of North Tees and Hartlepool
Choose option 4
01429 522471
Monday to Friday (Exluding bank holidays)
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