Orthotic and prosthetic services

• Orthotic Prosthetic Services Tasmania (OPST) is a state-wide service with facilities in Burnie, Hobart and Launceston. We provide inpatient and outpatient orthotic and prosthetic services.
• We support your treatment and rehabilitation through orthotic, prosthetic and specialised seating services. Access is prioritised dependent upon urgency.
• We offer a specialised seating service and 24 hour on-call orthotic service for emergency spinal management at OPST South.
• You can also access our service if you are funded through third party compensable bodies such as DVA, MAIB and Workers Compensation.

For information about other providers, please visit the Australia Orthotic Prosthetic Association website.

Prosthetics

• Limb prosthetics involves care and fitting of artificial limbs (prostheses) if you have experienced limb loss or have a limb difference.
• Prosthetic services are provided immediately after an operation as part of the early rehabilitation program for amputees.
• These services continue throughout your life and usually involve several prostheses over many years.
• Your prosthetist will advise you, your family and rehabilitation team about all factors associated with the prosthetic prescription and wearing of the prosthesis.
• Publicly referred prosthetic services are funded and governed under the Tasmanian Artificial Limb Scheme, which is administered by OPST.
• Phone 03 6166 7377 for more information.

Orthotics

Orthotics is fitting of devices to support and alignment, to reduce pain or enhance mobility. We deliver orthotic services for:

• a broad range of clinical presentations including spinal trauma
• rehabilitation and ongoing care for presentation including cerebral palsy, stroke and sporting injuries.

Orthoses may be provided for all parts of the body. They include:

• custom helmets following cranial trauma
• shoulder orthoses to support a flail arm
• conditions requiring the application of knee and foot orthoses.

Specialised seating clinic

• We provide a specialised seating and wheelchair service if you have complex physical impairments.
• This service comprises a physiotherapist, an orthotist, and an orthotic technician.
• Custom seating and wheelchair systems are prescribed and provided.
• This service is located at 94 Davey St, Hobart.

Referrals for orthotic and prosthetic services

Outpatient referrals

• Outpatients are seen by appointment only.
• Your doctor will send us a referral form.
• We assess your priority and place you on the waiting list.

Inpatient referrals

Inpatient referrals require:

• your name, URN and location
• reason for request
• requested intervention
• referrer name, designation and contact number.

Department of Emergency Medicine and Theatre referrals may be received via phone.

All other inpatient referrals must be entered into Patient Flow Manager with a phone call in urgent cases.

How to contact us