Widening the conversation around Upper Limb Prosthetics

Upper limb prosthetics is an area where technology is advancing both in surgical and prosthetic environments. Health systems differ in how these advances are incorporated into the mainstream. Is there such a thing as an optimum service? Can one service learn from another? This session will widen the conversation and look at different service models within the UK and abroad, and how we may improve delivery of care within the NHS.

We believe that improving the clinical pathway is as important as improving the accessibility of newer technologies for patients. Our recent symposiums at the 2021 World Congress focused on best practice and research around newer technologies; this presentation will focus on the clinical pathways for children and adults with both limb differences and acquired amputations.

Jim will share his experience of being a patient within a local service in England after major trauma. He comments on the gaps within his recovery as an individual but also as a senior orthotist.

Vincent will discuss the service model in Scotland which has been providing state of the art technologies since 2014. Can lessons be learned from the Scottish centres’ experiences to enhance future decision making in pathways in the rest of the UK? Examples of widening the conversation across disciplines and regions will be demonstrated.

A pre-recorded session from Simon Shaw will explore the steps that have already been taken within the UK, highlighting areas around the clinical pathway and how the needs of patients may be better served through the prosthetic services. What steps can we take now? What capabilities do we need to develop?

Rute will briefly cover the rehab process and prosthetic consideration/ patient decisions at Roehampton, and share some case studie; whilst Elaine will give a short presentation on the multi-disciplinary team approach to partial hand rehab at PACE Rehabilitation and will also share recent case studies.

 

Dr Jim Ashworth-Beaumont
Jim graduated as a Prosthetist/Orthotist in 2002 has an MSc & PhD in Neurorehabilitation and has been a Senior Orthotist at RNOH, Stanmore since 2004 with a special intrest in the MDT rehab of sports/military injury, polytrauma and neuro injuries In 2020, following a cycling accident, he became a polytrauma casualty and transhumeral amputee.

 

Vincent B MacEachen
Vincent graduated from Strathclyde University in 2001 and is now a Senior Prosthetist at WestMARC in Glasgow, which serves 52% of Scotland's population. He has provided multiarticulated hands, electric elbows and wrists since 2014.

 

Dr Simon Shaw
Simon works as a Consultant Rehabilitation Physician focussing on long term disability management including musculoskeletal impairment,limb loss and neurodisability, polio and cerebral palsy.

 

Rute Santos Lam
Rute is a Prosthetist at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, London, with a special interest in Upper LImb Prosthetics.


Elaine Smith
Elaine graduated as a Prosthetist/Orthotist from Strathclyde University in 2008. She initially started her career working as a Prosthetist at the Douglas Badar, Queen Marys Hospital, Roehampton for her first 2 years following graduation, transferring to the Specialised Ability Centre in Manchester where she then worked for a further 8 years.

Elaine has experience with upper and lower limb amputees including congenital, paediatric and adults. She has previously been a student mentor and held senior roles working within the NHS, and joined PACE Rehabilitation in February 2019.