The regional prosthetic service provides assessment, manufacture, rehabilitation, care and maintenance of upper and lower limb prostheses (artificial limbs). The multidisciplinary team includes a consultant, specialist nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, rehabilitation assistant, prosthetist, psychological therapist and technicians.

All services are provided within one clinical setting. The team also sees pre-amputation consultations and provides support to those who may be unable to tolerate a prosthesis. 

Contact details

Address

Mayflower Community Hospital
Blunts Wall Road
Billericay
Essex CM12 9SA

Telephone

Reception: 0300 300 1849
Appointments Office: 0300 300 1846

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm

Getting here

The Centre is within a 20 minute walk from Billericay train station and is next to Billericay Town Football Club.

Parking

Free car parking is available on site.

 

 

 

Transport support 

If you have difficulty travelling to the centre, please contact us. In some cases, we can:

• Provide information about local transport schemes, or
• Arrange transport if you meet the eligibility criteria (this will be reviewed as your mobility changes).

We are able to offer a free taxi service from  Billericay train station to our service. On arrival to the train station please call 0300 300 1849 to arrange for a taxi to pick you up. Please leave extra time for this.

Where possible, we recommend that a friend or family member drives you. Hospital transport may collect you up to  two hours before your appointment and there can be a long wait after your appointment before return transport is available. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee collection times.

Facilities

We have disabled toilet facilities at the centre and someone on hand to offer assistance should you require.  

We have a vending machine for drinks and snacks. We recommend you bring your own food with you.

Before your first visit

To help prepare for your appointment:

• Try to become familiar with the look and feel of your residual limb (stump). Massage daily using a mild moisturising cream to keep the skin healthy.
• If you have had a below‑knee amputation, rest your residual limb on a stump board or stool when sitting. This helps reduce swelling and keeps your knee straight. Do not allow your leg to hang over the edge of a chair.
• If you have been prescribed a “Juzo” sock, please wear it according to the written instructions; this will help to reduce any swelling.
• Continue any exercise programme provided by your physiotherapist while in hospital. This will help to keep your muscles strong and prevent joint stiffness and will help you to regain mobility and independence.

What to bring to your first appointment

Please bring:

• A list of your medications, and any medication you may need during the day
  • If you are diabetic, please bring your insulin and treatment record book
• Any wound dressings
• Loose clothing or shorts
• A pair of comfortable, well‑fitting shoes
• A list of goals you would like to achieve with a prosthesis

Your first appointment

On arrival, please report to Reception to book in. You will be asked to wait in the waiting area until the clinical team is ready to see you.

Your primary assessment appointment may last up to one hour. During the visit, several members of the team will assess whether prosthetic rehabilitation is suitable for you.

Who you may see 

• Consultant – Reviews your medial history
• Nurse – Checks your skin and any wounds
• Prosthetist – Discuss prosthetic options and assess fitting needs.
• Physiotherapist – Carry out a physical assessment which can include your general mobility, transfers and strength and movement of your upper and lower limbs. You may trial an early walking aid (to see how you might cope with an artificial limb). They will liaise with your local physiotherapy team.
• Occupational Therapist – Will discuss how you are managing at home in your activities of daily living. They may also need to carry out a cognitive assessment.
• Psychological Service – offers support with adjusting to limb loss and how your past may be influencing this. They will be able to help you access psychology services locally to you if required.

What happens next

At the end of this appointment, we will agree a care plan with you.

Not everyone is able to, or chooses to, use a prosthesis. Some people find they are more independent using a wheelchair. If prosthetic rehabilitation is not suitable, you may be discharged from our service once other referrals are complete.

If Prosthetic Rehabilitation is suitable for you, and all aspects of your care are in place, we will be able to start the process of making a prosthesis.

• A plaster cast of your residual limb may be required (this can be messy, so you may wish to bring a change of clothes or wear shorts)
• Measurements will be taken of your residual limb and your remaining limb
• You will be given a follow‑up appointment, once your prosthesis has been manufactured

Important information

• If you are unable to attend an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible
• Missed or late‑cancelled appointments increase waiting times for others and waste NHS resources
• Repeated non‑attendance may result in discharge back to your GP
• If you arrive more than 20 minutes late, your appointment may need to be rearranged
• We operate a zero‑tolerance policy for abusive or inappropriate behaviour
• Smoking/ vaping is not permitted anywhere on the hospital site

Confidentiality 

All NHS staff have a legal duty to keep your information confidential. We may share relevant information with other healthcare professionals involved in your care, but only when necessary and in your best interests. Wherever possible, identifying details are removed.

With your consent, your nominated representative can be kept informed about your treatment.

PALS

The Trust welcomes feedback on all its services. If you have any comments, compliments, complaints or suggestions, please let us know by informing any of our managers or by contacting:

NELFT PALS
Newbury Park Health Centre
40 Perrymans Farm Road
Ilford, Essex
IG2 7LE

Tel: 0300 300 1711

Email: nelftpals@nelft.nhs.uk