Orthotics
Orthotics Department
Castle Circus Health Centre
Abbey Road
Torquay
TQ2 5YH
Tel: 01803 217761
Email: Orthotics Department
Opening hours:
- Monday, 8.30am – 4.30 pm
- Tuesday, 8.30am – 4.30pm
- Wednesday, 8.30am – 4.30pm
- Thursday, 8.30am – 4.30pm
- Friday, 8am – 4pm
There are limited free car parking spaces available and disabled car parking spaces are also provided.
What is the Orthotics service and why have I been referred?
Orthotics is a service that provides devices called orthoses that could be one of the following:
- shoes and insoles
- calipers or splints
- knee/ankle braces
- back supports
- wrist braces
- support hosiery
- adaptations
- advice
The orthoses are usually given to either support or protect your condition. Therefore, you have been referred to the service to see if you would benefit from any of these.
What happens at my first appointment?
You will be seen by an Orthotist to assess your needs.
An Orthotist is a clinician qualified to assess your suitability and offer advice for one of the orthoses. However, in some cases the Orthotist may not see you but you will be seen by another suitably qualified clinician.
To examine you properly you may need to remove some of your clothes. Should you be uncomfortable with this and would like to be accompanied, please bring only one person with you. Alternatively, we can arrange a chaperone for you during your appointment. Please contact us on the number provided.
It is difficult to know in advance how long patients will need to spend with the clinician, and unforeseen delays may occur. We will try to keep waiting time to a minimum and give explanations, but this may not always be possible.
Will I need to bring anything with me?
If you have already been given an orthoses in the past please bring it with you. Also if you are a diabetic you should also bring food and your medication with you.
Will I have to come back for further appointments?
Some orthoses can be given on the day and others need to be specially made or ordered for you. You will be told about this at your appointment.
What will happen next?
If necessary, you will receive a further appointment to be fitted with your orthoses. If needed you will also receive a review appointment to make sure everything is all right with the orthoses.
Will I have to pay?
Some orthoses, for example fabric back supports and stockings will incur an orthoses prescription charge.