Prosthetics & Orthotics

A prosthesis is a custom-made device that replaces a missing body part. The Grampians Health Ballarat prosthetic department provides limb prostheses only.

We provide treatment for people from across the Grampians region who:

• require arm or leg amputation surgery;
• have had amputation surgery at Ballarat Base Hospital and need acute care;
• have been admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Centre for prosthetic rehabilitation;
• are long term prosthetic users who need ongoing prosthetic outpatient services.

We offer the following specialist clinic:

• Amputee Clinic: our prosthetists work with specialist allied health and medical staff to provide care to anyone with a limb amputation who is struggling with lesions or pain in their residual limb (stump), or having difficulties with their prosthesis.  Appointments are usually 60 minutes for a first consult or 30 minutes for a review. The clinic also provides pre-amputation consultations for those who are trying to decide if they should have amputation surgery.

You can expect a high-quality, evidence-based service consisting of all aspects of prosthetic management, including clinical assessment, fabrication and fitting of your prosthesis, ongoing reviews and advice from other disciplines as needed.

Inpatients will be referred by Grampians Health Ballarat medical or allied health staff.

Outpatients: a referral can be mailed or faxed by your GP or allied health professional to Grampians Health Ballarat Central Intake. If you have attended our service in the past, you can make a self-referral by calling Central Intake.

You will be contacted by a program assistant to inform you that you are on a waiting list, or to book an appointment. You will receive a text message to remind you of your appointment.

Public patients: all Australians with a major limb amputation are entitled to funding to provide a prosthesis that meets their daily needs. In Victoria, the scheme that covers public patients over the age of 65 is the Victorian Artificial Limbs Program (VALP). The costs for prostheses for those under the age of 65 are covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Individuals need to register as an NDIS participant. You will need to sign a service agreement with BHS Prosthetic department before your appointment.

Private patients: Grampians Health Ballarat prosthetic department services clients who lost their limb due to a work place or transport accident, and who are covered by Transport Accident Commission (TAC) or WorkCover insurance. TAC, or your insurance company, will be provided with a quotation for service provision. Once approved, and the prosthesis is fitted, TAC, or the insurance company will be invoiced. 

An orthosis is a supportive device that is fitted external to the body, also known as a brace. It may be a pre-made or a custom-made device.

We care for:

• inpatients at Ballarat Base Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Centre who require an orthosis for an injury, surgical need, or medical condition.
• outpatients from across the Grampians region who require an orthosis for either an acute or chronic condition.

We offer the following specialist clinics:

• High Risk Foot Clinic: our orthotists work with specialist podiatrists and medical staff to provide care for patients with diabetic foot wounds, Charcot neuropathy and other foot deformities.
• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH): our orthotists work with specialist paediatric physiotherapists to provide care for babies with DDH.
• Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service (VPRS): our orthotists work with specialist paediatric allied health and medical staff to provide care for children and young people who have had an acquired injury, medical/ surgical impairment or functional impairment.

You can expect a high-quality, evidence-based service using all aspects of orthotic management, including clinical assessment, fabrication and fitting of your device, ongoing reviews and advice from other disciplines as needed.

Inpatients will be referred by Grampians Health Ballarat medical or allied health staff. Inpatients are usually seen within 24 hours of referral and followed up as outpatients upon discharge as required. There is no weekend or out of hours service, however special arrangements can be made for urgent fitting of spinal orthoses.

Outpatients: a referral can be mailed or faxed by your GP or allied health professional to Grampians Health Ballarat Central Intake.  If you have attended our service in the past, you can make a self-referral by calling Central Intake.

You will be contacted by a program assistant to inform you that you are on a waiting list, or to book an appointment. You will receive a text message to remind you of your appointment.

Inpatients:

Inpatients of Ballarat Base Hospital are generally not charged for orthotic management that is conducted during their inpatient stay.

Outpatients:

Orthotic outpatient services are mostly privately funded. Patients with TAC or WorkCover insurance may be eligible for funding for orthotic management. There are also two public funding schemes for which you may be eligible: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or the State Wide Equipment Program (SWEP). If you are an NDIS participant, you will need to sign a service agreement with Grampians Health Ballarat Orthotic department prior to your appointment.