How a Hartlepool and North Tees health video service could become a nationwide success

Orthotist Abby Paterson holds an arm splint.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s Orthotics service is being offered to other health care trusts nationwide.

It assesses patients and provides them with devices such as insoles, braces, splints, callipers, footwear, spinal jackets and helmets.

The system helps patients who are recovering from injury and those living with lifelong conditions to help them in everyday life.

The Attend Anywhere video consultation package is now being used to assess and review patients who are currently shielding or at high risk from COVID-19.

The video sessions mean the patient remains at home and talks to their specialist orthotist via their laptop or tablet.

Orthotist Abby Paterson said: “The response from patients has been fantastic.”

“They have been very appreciative of what we’re doing to make sure the service continued and prevent their treatment from being delayed.

“We’ll likely continue using the Attend Anywhere software after the pandemic. It’s convenient for our patients as they don’t have to travel and can even fit in appointments on their lunch breaks.”

Bethan Sharp, from Billingham, has been using the video consultation package to continue the treatment for her daughter Bella-Rose.

Bella-Rose, 4, had dysplasia in both hips which resulted in her right leg being around 2cm longer than her left leg.

Bethan said: “Video consultation is brilliant. I was a bit sceptical at first but it works really well and we haven’t had to come to the hospital at all.

“Abby is great with Bella-Rose and really gets her involved her in every consultation.

“Just last week I was a bit worried as Bella-Rose had had a growth spurt. I spoke with Abby long distance, she took a look at how Bella-Rose was and in a couple of days, the new equipment arrived.

“It just all works really well.”

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust commissions its Orthotics services via Taycare Medical which is a leading supplier of orthotic products and services in the UK.

Taycare has appointed Clinical Development Manager, Ashley Lewis to replicate the Trust’s working model to other health care providers throughout the country.

Ashley said: “The relationship between Taycare and the trust has enabled us to provide an excellent service to patients requiring orthotic input.

“I’m delighted to have been involved in this innovative and exciting new process which we can now offer out to other healthcare providers throughout the country.”

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