Orthotic service

Orthotics is the branch of medicine that deals with the provision and use of artificial devices such as splints and braces. It is a service which assesses patients in hospital, and follows up with outpatients offsite in Hastings. People with short and long term disabilities are referred to orthotics, including patients from orthopaedic and AT&R wards, the child development unit, podiatry and diabetes clinics as well as from special education physiotherapists. The age group ranges from a few months old upwards. The Artificial Limb Centre in Wellington uses the facility for local clinics.

Referral information

ALL patients require a health practitioner’s referral.

  • Hospital consultants and some hospital-based staff, such as podiatrists, can refer for assessment.  Items will then be funded by the hospital or ACC if relevant.
  • Private consultants, GPs ,private physiotherapists, private podiatrists can refer for assessment. Any item must be either self-funded or the patient must have a written agreement from ACC to fund the item.

Footwear appointments

Please bring your existing footwear to appointment with socks or tights. As a first option, the service will try to modify your existing footwear.

If modification will not achieve the medical goal, you will be given advice regarding footwear retailers who hold suitable shoes for you to self-purchase.

Only if the medical goal cannot be achieved with retail footwear can custom-made shoes be ordered. Such orders need to be signed by the relevant hospital consultant. Custom-made shoes usually take eight weeks to arrive from overseas.