Orthotics

The Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Orthotics Department is based on: Level 1, The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine. This is the building next door to the main hospital with the silver ramp outside. Above the main entrance to this building there is a sign for “GOSH Outpatients”.

The Orthotists work with other members of the multi-disciplinary team including Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. We provide bespoke and stock orthoses (sometimes called appliances or splints) for children of all ages from a wide range of specialities from within Great Ormond Street Hospital. These include Spinal Braces, Leg Braces, Insoles and specialised footwear.

Our Orthotists also see patients for helmets and Lycra garments. Most orthoses are made to measure and a limited amount of devices are held in stock and can be fitted immediately.

The Orthotists see patients on the ward, in outpatient clinics and also in the operating theatre. The outpatient clinics run every day from 09.30-13.00 and 13.30-16.30. The Neuromuscular Service Orthotist clinic is only on Wednesdays between 10.30 and 14.30.

Referrals are only accepted for patients who are currently under a Great Ormond Street Hospital Consultant; we do not accept referrals from GPs or professionals outside of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Once a referral has been made, the orthotic administrators will contact you to make an appointment for your child to see the orthotist. On arrival at the hospital (RLHIM) follow the signs for orthotics on level 1 and report to the orthotic office. Please bring any orthoses/appliances that your child may already have with you.

The Orthotist will carry out an assessment and this will involve taking the details of your child’s condition and checking the child’s joint movements. Please bring shorts with you as the orthotist may need to watch your child walking.

Your child will then be measured for the appropriate orthosis. This may involve taking a plaster cast mould.

A second appointment will be needed to fit the orthosis, this will be arranged separately. As most items are bespoke/made to measure it can take 2-4 weeks for them to be made.

If the orthosis has broken (including straps), has become uncomfortable and leaving red marks or your child has outgrown the appliance please call the office on the number below and speak to a member of staff about making an appointment to see the orthotist.

If you are unable to attend an appointment please call the office number. The office is open between 9.30 and 16.30 Monday - Friday. Please leave a message on our answer phone with your child’s name and date of birth and we will call you back as soon as possible.

If you need to post an item in to the office, please include your child’s name, hospital number if known and date of birth.

Following your initial provision of orthoses, your child's orthotic management will be transferred to your local services as soon as is appropriate.