Opcare provides Orthotic services for patients across Derbyshire. Our service hubs are based in Derby, Chesterfield, and Buxton. We also host orthotic community outreach clinics in a number of schools.
*Please note we do offer some clinics outside our normal opening hours.
Opcare are proud to deliver the orthotics services to the Derbyshire area and strive to provide the best service possible to all our patients. We are continually seeking ways of improving what we do, and your opinion matters to us. Please see below how you can get involved in developing our service.
In the clinic
If anything comes to mind while you are visiting the clinic, you can give us your feedback through a paper form. Please ask at reception, and they will be able to provide this for you.
Compliments and complaints – Feedback via website
Opcare has developed a live feedback section on the website. Please click here to be taken to this page. This information is analysed on a monthly basis, and relevant improvements are made to the service where possible. Please do also share with us the aspects that we are getting right and doing well! This will help to ensure that all of our patients receive the same treatment. Any improvements implemented from the feedback are described in the “You said, we did” section on this page.
Please click on the following links to see examples of additional information provided by SACM in Manchester and LSMC in Leicester:
The service we offer is fully integrated, providing a seamless experience for patients and a single point of contact for Clinical, Administrative and Technical services.
How to get here:
Derby
By car:
From Derby City Centre: Head towards Chaddesden via the A52/Eastgate and exit at the Pentagon Roundabout. Follow Nottingham Road for a short distance and St Marks Road is on your left. The centre is a short way up this road on the right
The centre has plentiful, free parking onsite
Via public transport:
The centre is served by several bus routes, including but not limited to the 22, 24, I4, INDIGO and 9. Please check local transport listings for exact routes and timetables
The closest railway station is at Derby City
Chesterfield
By car:
The hospital can be accessed via the A632 between Chesterfield and Calow. Details on accessibility and parking can be found on the hospital website at Getting here :: Chesterfield Royal Hospital
Via public transport:
The hospital is around a mile from Chesterfield town centre. There are regular buses which run between the town centre, the railway station and the hospital. Please check local listings for routes and timetables
Chesterfield railway station is also about one mile from the hospital. For more information, call Traveline on 08712 002 233 or Minicom on 0870 241 2216.
Buxton
By car:
From the A53) in either direction, take the turn at the A5004 (near St. Johns Church) and the hospital is a short distance up this round on your right-hand side.
Via public transport:
The hospital is around half a mile from Buxton town centre. There are regular buses which run between the town centre and the hospital, including, but not limited to, the 61 and 76. Please check local listings for routes and timetables. The hospital is also a relatively short walk from Buxton should this be an option for you
Opcare are proud to deliver the orthotics and wheelchair services to the Staffordshire area, and strive to provide the best service possible to all our patients. We are continually seeking ways of improving what we do, and your opinion matters to us. Please see below how you can get involved in developing our service.
Feedback via website Opcare has developed a live feedback section on the website. This information is analysed on a monthly basis, and relevant improvements are made to the service where possible. Please do also share with us the aspects that we are getting right and doing well! This will help to ensure that all of our patients receive the same treatment. Any improvements implemented from the feedback are described in the “You said, we did” section on this page.
You can leave your feedback and have your say here.
The purpose of the Patient Access Policy is to clarify what happens if you do not attend an appointment, do not accept an appointment, or if the service is unable to contact you. The policy applies to all appointments.
The policy ensures that all Opcare employees apply a clear and consistent approach when booking your appointments or in case you “DNA” (Do Not Attend) an appointment.
Over the following pages, you will find details of the policy, as well as some simple flowcharts to help you to understand this process.
If you have trouble understanding this policy, or have a query relating to it, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Contacting the Orthotics service
Please ensure you keep the service up-to-date with your home address details, a current telephone number and email address (if applicable), as the Service will need to contact you. Contact details can be found at our website.
If you have any queries relating to this policy, please do not hesitate to contact the service.
What happens if I am unable to accept an appointment?
For assessments: Opcare will offer you three appointments within a 6 weeks period for adult referrals and 3 weeks for paediatric cases.
Should you not be available within this period then you will be removed from the waiting list and discharged back to the care of your referrer. You will need to ask them to refer you to us again in case you have been referred into our service. In case of a self-referral you can refer yourself back into our service.
Your case will be reviewed by the clinical team. In case there is a safeguarding concern, the Opcare safeguarding team will be informed. Actions will be agreed in line with the Opcare safeguarding policy.
What happens if Opcare are unable to get in touch with me?
Opcare will attempt to telephone you three times. One of these calls will be outside of regular working hours (Monday to Thursday 08.30-16.30, Friday 08.30-16.00).
If Opcare is unable to contact you, we will then send a letter requesting you get in touch with us within a week.
Should Opcare not be able to get in touch with you following the mailing of the letter, you will be removed from the waiting list and discharged back to the care of your referrer. You will need to ask them to refer you to us again in case you have been referred into our service. In case of a self-referral you can refer yourself back into our service.
Your case will be reviewed by the clinical team. In case there is a safeguarding concern, the Opcare safeguarding team will be informed. Actions will be agreed in line with the Opcare safeguarding policy.
What happens if I “DNA” (Do Not Attend) my appointment, or I’m not at home when you visit?
If you do not attend an appointment you will be removed from the waiting list and discharged back to the care of your referrer. You will need to ask them to refer you to us again in case it is your first referral. In case of a self-referral you can refer yourself back into our service.
Your case will be reviewed by the clinical team. In case there is a safeguarding concern, the Opcare safeguarding team will be informed. Actions will be agreed in line with the Opcare safeguarding policy.
Should a clinician decide there is a clinical risk in removing you from the waiting list, an exemption will be made.
What happens if I cancel my appointment?
If you cancel your appointment you will be offered a further two appointment slots within a two week period.
If you are unavailable for either of the appointments offered you will be removed from the waiting list and discharged back to the care of your referrer. You will need to ask them to refer you to us again if you still wish to be assessed for an orthotic device.
Your case will be reviewed by the clinical team. In case there is a safeguarding concern, the Opcare safeguarding team will be informed. Actions will be agreed in line with the Opcare safeguarding policy.
Should a clinician decide there is a clinical risk in removing you from the waiting list, an exemption will be made.
Please note that this applies to assessments, handover and repair appointments. For repairs, a letter will be sent only to the service user, and not to the original referrer.
Please note that the above flowchart only applies to the first cancellation. We will remove you from the waiting list should you wish to cancel the appointment a second time.
How quickly will I get an appointment? When you are referred to the Orthotic Service by a health professional, your referral is reviewed and prioritised accordingly. We will contact you to offer the next available appointment. Waiting times vary, but we aim to see you within 6 weeks of receiving you referral (or 3 weeks for paediatric patients).
Do I have to pay for my treatment or orthosis? No, the cost of your treatment and orthosis is covered by the NHS.
If you wish to have additional orthoses above the standard entitlement, you may need to pay for these. The standard entitlement, determined by the NHS and which we have to comply with, is as follows:
Product group
Maximum provision
Footwear
Period of rapid change in size or clinical need (paediatric footwear) – One pair.
Period of slow change in growth or clinical need – Two pairs of serviceable boots or shoes supplied after the trial period completed.
Diabetic Footwear – Two Pairs.
Insoles
One pair at any given time
KAFO
Two per limb as required at any given time.
Second supplied after trial period completed
AFO
One orthosis or One pair
They will be replaced when beyond economic repair, outgrown or no longer clinically effective.
If used throughout the day, on a regular basis – Two at any given time.
If used infrequently or sparingly – One at any given time.
Graduated Compression Hosiery
Two per limb as required initially and then discharge
If to be managed by the Orthotic Service long term- two per limb every six months (i.e. four per limb per year)
Footwear adaptations (such as raises, rockers, sockets for callipers)
Period of rapid change in size or clinical need – One pair.
Period of slow change in growth or clinical need – Two pairs at any given time.
Stable clinical presentation – Three in the first year following the initial referral to department. One in consecutive years thereafter. (Can be repaired or replaced when worn out or too small).
Repairs
Bespoke and adapted stock shoes only will be repaired
If you require an orthosis, it will be ordered for you directly by your orthotist. Lead times vary depending on the device you need and the number of fitting appointments – sometimes a few days, sometimes up to a couple of months. Your orthotist will advise how long it should take for the orthosis to arrive.
Will I get training on how to use my orthosis? Yes, your orthotist will demonstrate how to wear and care for your device before you start using it. Information leaflets are also supplied with devices to serve as a reminder once you get back home. It is important that you maintain your orthosis properly to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Will I have to wear my orthosis constantly? The length of wear time depends according to the type of orthosis and your specific needs. Your orthotist will create a bespoke wear plan with you when your orthosis is fitted.
What if my orthosis breaks? We can repair your orthosis if it is showing signs of wear and tear. You should stop wearing your orthosis as soon as you notice any damage, and contact the service to arrange a repair or replacement.
How often will I need to have an appointment? This will depend on your needs and the device you are wearing. However, it is important that you attend review appointments from time to time to ensure that your orthosis is still suitable for you. Your orthotist will advise how frequently you should attend an appointment.
Please complete this form to send a message to this clinic:
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
