Disablement Services Centre
Contact: (0191) 223 1184 - Reception, Disablement Services Centre
We are the Regional Centre for the North East of England providing a comprehensive range of disablement services:
- Artificial Limb Service
- Walking Training School
- Wheelchair Service
- Sub Regional Assessment and Special Seating Service
Our services are provided by a mutli-disciplinary team of clinicians and technicians with expertise in their particular specialty, led by Mr Fyfe our Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine. Our team will work closely with you to make sure that your individual needs are met and that you and your family or carers are involved in all decisions made about your rehabilitation programme.
Artificial Limb Service
Following your referral to us you will be assessed for the appropriateness of an artificial limb. If an artificial limb is appropriate for you, we will spend some time with you to make sure you are as comfortable as possible with your new limb and to show you how to look after it. An artificial limb to suit your individual needs will then be prescribed for you and will normally be ready in around ten days when you will be contacted to attend for your fitting.
Should you experience any problems with your limb, please contact the Centre to arrange for an appointment. Emergency repairs and adjustments can usually be done on the same day and we offer a collection and delivery service.
The Walking Training School
When you attend our Walking Training School, you will be assessed by members of our team to see what walking aids (for example, a walking stick or frame) you will need to help you to walki. At first you will walk between parallel bars and progress to climbing stairs and ramps. Once you have mastered these, you will start to practise walking outside.
You can expect to attend a few times a week while you are a new patient, but as you get more confident, you can cut down the number of visits. If you live a long way from the centre, you will be able to get walking training from your local hospital physiotherapy department. Ask a member of our team for more information.
The Newcastle District Wheelchair Service
We provide a wheelchair service for residents of Newcastle which includes powered and non powered wheelchairs and special seating for people of all ages who are likely to have walking problems for six months or more. If you are prescribed a standard non-powered wheelchair, we can usually get one to you in a short period of time.
If you are referred for a powered wheelchair, you will be assessed by a team including the Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, a Rehabilitation Engineer and an Occupational Therapist and / or Physiotherapist.
Sub-Regional Assessment and Special Seating Service
If your situation is especially complex, we can offer advice and assessment on:
- Specialist wheelchairs
- “Bespoke” modifications
- Postural seating
Ask the team looking after you for more information.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more information about our disablement services please contact:
Reception: Wheelchair Service: Limb Service:
Telephone: (0191) 223 1184 (0191) 223 1186 (0191) 223 1188
