Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre
Contact number: 01772 716565
The Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) provides specialist wheelchair, prosthetic limb and orthotic rehabilitation services throughout Lancashire and South Lakeland for people of all ages with long-term mobility problems.
The Centre is part of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and its services are organised from a self-contained purpose-designed outpatient department based at Preston Business Centre.
Services include counselling, assessment, supply, maintenance, repair and training, where appropriate, for specialist equipment issued.
Staff at the Centre are committed to ensuring that patients are given the opportunity, within the limitations of equipment issued, to achieve their full potential in terms of mobility and independence.
About the staff
The SMRC has a dedicated team of professionals including a consultant in rehabilitation medicine, prosthetists, orthotists, nurses, counselling psychologists, rehabilitation engineers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and a support team.
Awarded for excellence
The Centre has won the prestigious Customer Service Excellence Award several times. This is a Government award, which recognises excellence in the delivery of public service. The Centre is also registered against ISO 9001:2015, an international standard for quality systems, which is recognised worldwide.
- SMRC Contact
Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre
Ground Floor, Preston Business Centre,
Watling Street Road,
Fulwood,
Preston.
PR2 8DYPhone: 01772 716565
- How to find us
Directions from: Royal Preston Hospital
Follow Sharoe Green Lane [from Royal Preston Hospital] for approx 1 mile, the last right turn before the end of Sharoe Green Lane is Bhailok Square. Take this turn and the car park is on your left. The Patient entrance is towards the far corner of the car park.
Directions From: A6 & M6/M55 J32
From the motorway junction head towards Preston City Centre approx 2 miles along the A6 [Garstang Road]. Turn left onto Watling Street Road and continue for approximately 200yds then turn left into Bhailock Square. Follow the road around the Preston Business Centre site perimeter until you locate the patient entrance to the rear of the building.
Directions From : M6 [north] J31(a)
Exit M6 at J31a and follow slip road then take 3rd exit & go across the next roundabout. Carry on to the next roundabout and turn left [signposted Hospital]. Continue along this road to the traffic lights and turn right. Pass The White Hart Pub on your right & at the next traffic lights turn right [Fulwood Army Barracks on your right, The Old Garrison Pub on your left]. Continue on to the next set of traffic lights [Police Station on left] and turn right onto Sharoe Green Lane and take first left [Bhailok Square] onto the hospital road. The car park is on your immediate left.
Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre,
Ground Floor, Preston Business Centre,
Watling Street Road,
Fulwood, Preston.
PR2 8DY.Tel: 01772 716565
- About your visit
During your visit
There is a nurse on duty. If you are a diabetic please inform the nurse of your medical and food requirements and bring your own insulin if you need to take it regularly. Light refreshments may be bought at the cafe. You may, however, wish to bring food with you that you can eat in the waiting area.
Preston Business Centre is a "no smoking" building and you will not be able to smoke whilst you are in the Centre.
If there is anything you do not understand or are not sure of, please do not hesitate to ask before you leave the Centre.
If you wish, we will contact a relative or friend about the progress of your treatment.
Wheelchair clinics
Wheelchair clinics are regularly held at Preston, Blackpool, Accrington, Lancaster, Nelson, Barrow and Kendal.
If we need to see you with your wheelchair we will let you know and make arrangements with the Hospital Transport Service, if appropriate. Otherwise you will not be able to bring your own wheelchair. We do, however, provide them at the Centre for your use whilst you are here.
Wheelchair deliveries and repairs
All deliveries, collections, repairs and maintenance to our wheelchairs are carried out by our contractor. If your wheelchair needs attention you should contact your contractor, but if you have any problems please give us a ring. You will find the telephone number of your contractor and the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre in your wheelchair user handbook, or located on your wheelchair.
Prosthetic services
On your first appointment a primary assessment will take place with our consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you and you us. We will accompany you during your examination with the consultant and liaise with the physiotherapist, occupational therapist, limb fitter and reception desk, if necessary on your behalf.
Specialist nurses are involved in liaising with the wards and visiting patients at regional Hospitals who have undergone an amputation, but have not yet been referred to/attended the Centre.
We provide a 'clinic' service, encompassing all aspects of wound/stump care. In order for us to provide continuity of service please let us know if you are being treated by your district/practice nurse and bring the relevant dressings with you if possible. We also provide a counselling service for patients, carers and relatives.
Orthotic Clinics
Orthotic patients can be seen at either SMRC or Chorley Hospital for assessment.
- Further Appointments
Sometimes a further appointment will be arranged for you at the time of your visit. If you need to arrange an appointment at any time, please telephone or write to the Centre. Appointments for repairs to artificial limbs can usually be arranged straight away unless transport is required, in which case it will take a little longer. For other appointments you will normally be notified of times arranged through the post. You will receive approximately two weeks’ notice of your appointment.
If, for any reason, you are unable to keep an appointment, please let the Centre know as soon as possible as we may be able to offer it to someone else. When you come to the Centre for an appointment you should bring your appointment letter or card with you.
Over 90% of our patients are seen within half an hour of their appointment time or time of arrival. Unfortunately this standard cannot always be met when a number of patients arrive together by ambulance. However, you will always be seen as soon as possible on the day. You will be informed of any delay and in these circumstances we would appreciate your understanding and patience.
If you need to contact us before your appointment you should ring the Centre number and ask to speak to a Patient Services Officer). If you change your address please let us know. It is also helpful if we have a telephone number where you can be reached.
- Advice and Support
We aim to provide a quality service for patients, relatives and carers. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any queries or problems you wish to discuss (all of which will be treated confidentially).
Please take time to look at our health promotions display; your views and comments are always welcome.In order to ensure your comfort and well-being during your stay a "nurse call" system is installed in all toilets and treatment rooms, please use them if you have any difficulties or feel unwell.
If you have any special dietary, mobility or other requirements please let us know when you arrive at the Centre, this will ensure that your needs are considered.
We also have patient interview facilities for one-on-one discussion.
- Facilities
The Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre's facilities include:
A pleasant self-contained outpatients department designed specifically for the needs of people with disabilities
A fully equipped wheelchair and special seating assessment room
Specially adapted toilets and wet room with automatic outer doors
Refreshment facilities
A children's play area
Multiple fully equipped fitting rooms for prosthetic, orthotic and wheelchair patients
Dedicated paediatric assessment rooms for prosthetic, orthotic and wheelchair patients
All areas provided with television and DVD
Easily accessible patient waiting area
Disabled car parking spaces adjacent to ramped access for blue badge holders and parking adjacent to Centre for non-blue badge holders
A 'test track' for trying out equipment
- Prosthetic Limb Service
Amputee rehabilitation services for Lancashire and South Cumbria are provided by the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) with an additional satellite facility at Barrow–in-Furness.The service is the responsibility of the Centre’s Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, and is provided through fully qualified and experienced prosthetists.
We have workshop facilities on-site for the manufacture and repair of the limbs.
Both upper and lower prosthetic limb patients are catered for, from a comprehensive range which includes silicone, active user prostheses and myoelectric arms.
The team involved in the care and treatment of patients includes:
Senior sisters – who are available to assist and offer advice regarding rehabilitation following amputation, and any other aspect of general health (liaising with community support where necessary). Nurses also offer informal support and there is a Counselling Psychologist.
Physiotherapists – provides help and advice on regaining as much mobility as possible, as well as instructing local (Preston, Chorley and South Ribble) prosthetic limb patients. Those patients from the rest of the county will receive this instruction from a local Occupational Therapist.
Senior Healthcare Assistants – are available in the absence of a friend or relative being present at appointments to give assistance when required.
Once patients are registered with the SMRC, they can contact the SMRC direct for repairs, re-assessment, counselling without having to obtain another referral.
- SMRC Orthotics
Orthotic Service
The SMRC provides services for Preston, Chorley and South Ribble patients. The service is provided by a team of fully qualified and experienced orthotists. Clinics are held at both Preston and Chorley and we have workshop facilities on-site at Preston for minor repairs and alterations – some which may be carried out while the patient/carer waits.
For diabetic footwear patients a joint multidisciplinary assessment team is available which includes orthotists, podiatrists and consultants in diabetology.
- Transport and Arrival
We hope this introduction will help to answer some of the questions you may have about your first visit to the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC). If, having read the following, you are not sure about something and need further information, please telephone the Centre on 01772 716565.
Transport to the Centre
It would be appreciated if you can arrange your own transport to and from the Centre, or if you could use public transport, please do so. Perhaps a member of your family, one of your friends or Dial a Ride could bring you. Family and friends are welcome at the Centre, especially if it would make your visit easier.
If, however, it is agreed that you need hospital transport i.e. an ambulance or car, this will be arranged for you at the time your appointment is arranged.
Hospital transport usually has other people to collect so please be ready in good time. If you are late for an appointment when you travel by hospital transport we will make every effort for you to be seen. Relatives and friends can only accompany you in the hospital transport when it is absolutely necessary and has been pre-arranged. If you have any problems with transport please ring the Centre on 01772 523845.
Arriving at the Centre
The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm (4.30pm on Fridays). If you are unable to attend during these times, special arrangements may be made by appointment.
Please report to reception as soon as you arrive. You will be asked to wait in the main waiting area until it is time for you to be seen. There is a patient pager system available, which will alert before your appointment. Toilets suitable for use by people with disabilities are situated nearby. Wheelchairs are available should you require one during your visit.
- Wheelchair Service
If the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre has provided your wheelchair you may find the information below useful.
Please remember that we are here to help you, even though you may never need to visit the Centre. Please telephone us on 01772 523828 if you require assistance. We are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and from 9am until 4.30pm on Fridays.
How are our services organised?
We provide wheelchairs for patients with a long-term disability, which adversely affects their walking ability. A full service is provided for patients requiring all types of wheelchairs, including special seating and cushions.
The wheelchair Service offers Personal Wheelchair Budgets. The aim of Personal Wheelchair Budgets is to improve choice and control for patients who use a wheelchair
Our services are organised from the Centre and delivered through a private contractor working in the community. The contractor also modifies and reconditions wheelchairs, providing a collection and delivery service and carries out repairs and preventative maintenance in patients' homes.
Rehabilitation Engineers provide clinics with local therapists at nine locations throughout the area served. Specialist clinics involving rehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists and clinical staff are provided at the Centre and selected local clinics. Rehabilitation engineers and occupational therapists carry out home visits.
If your wheelchair needs attention you should contact your repair contractor. The Contractors workshops are open Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm and 8.30am to 4pm Fridays (repairs can also be reported via the Centre).
Repairs
General repairs are conducted between the hours of 08.30 and 17.00. Repairs will be carried out within the contracted time of 3 working days.
Emergency Repairs
An emergency repair service is available between the hours of 5pm and 11pm and 7am to 8.30am. Emergency repairs will be prioritised according patient need.
Personal Wheelchair Budget (Pwb)
A PWB is a scheme offered to provide a wider choice for those needing to use a wheelchair.
At your assessment you will discuss your health and well-being needs and the outcomes that you want to achieve with your wheelchair with a clinician. This will be recorded on your support plan.
If you are eligible for NHS provision you will be prescribed an NHS wheelchair; the cost of provision to the NHS is your notional personal wheelchair budget. There will then be a choice of how to use your PWB.
Personal Wheelchair Budget Options At A Glance
Notional Personal Wheelchair Budget Description
Contribution from you
Repair and maintenance
NHS Provision
NHS Provision
None
Free of charge via the approved repair service
Alternative Wheelchair
Upgrade to an alternative model within the NHS range
The difference between NHS provision and the model you choose
Free of charge via the approved repair service
Top Up
Add on features to your NHS wheelchair
Cost of the feature that you choose
You will need to pay for maintaining the additional features and their replacement
Third Party Personal Wheelchair Budget
You can use your PWB towards a wheelchair purchased via an independent provider outside of the NHS. It needs to be in the same category as the one you would be entitled to from the NHS
The difference between the PWB value and the wheelchair you choose
A contribution will be included in the final budget calculation; as the owner of a private wheelchair you will be responsible for repairs
Eligibility
At your assessment you will be advised which budgets you are eligible for. With a rapidly changing medical condition it may be more appropriate to stay with the notional PWB options in order for the NHS to support your needs as they change.
Notional PWB: Alternative Wheelchair
You can choose to upgrade your wheelchair within the Wheelchair Service range. The NHS will contribute an amount which is the same value as your prescribed wheelchair. The difference in cost (including VAT at 20%) is needed before ordering. The wheelchair remains the property of the NHS who will provide free repairs and maintenance.
Notional Pwb: Top Up For Additional Features
You can choose and pay to have additional features added to the wheelchair prescribed by the Wheelchair Service. Payment (including VAT at 20%) is needed before ordering. The wheelchair remains the property of the NHS who will provide free repairs and maintenance but you will be responsible for the repair and replacement of the additional features via the approved repair service.
Third Party PWB
- You will be given an amount which is the same value as your prescribed NHS wheelchair together with a one off payment to cover repair and maintenance costs that you will be responsible for arranging.
- The wheelchair you choose will have to meet your mobility and postural needs and be in the same category as the chair prescribed, e.g. manual or powered.
- You will need to choose a wheelchair from a supplier who accepts the PWB scheme.
- The Wheelchair Service needs to approve your choice before purchase. A PWB cannot be issued retrospectively i.e. you cannot buy a wheelchair and then ask for your PWB.
- If pressure relieving cushions, postural/special seating is provided by the NHS, your chosen wheelchair must be compatible with the accessories provided.
Longevity of Equipment
A typical adult wheelchair lasts a minimum of 5 years, for children changes are needed more often as they grow, usually 2-3 years. This may also be the case with some clients whose clinical needs change rapidly.
CONTACT DETAILS: Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Preston Business Centre, Watling Street Road, Fulwood, Preston. PR2 8DY Tel: 01772 523828
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm excluding bank holidays
- Relevant Leaflets/Documents/Links
You may be entitled to claim travelling expenses if you are a war pensioner or if you receive benefits. Proof of entitlement will be required. Please ask at reception on the day you attend if you require further details.
Should you need any help or advice from a Social Worker, the medical staff at the Centre will liaise on your behalf with the appropriate area team.
Please let us know in advance if you need help with another language. We will try and arrange for an interpreter to be present. Please also let us know in advance if you have a hearing problem and we can arrange for someone proficient in sign language to be present.
Counselling
A counselling service is provided by the Centre’s Counselling Psychologist if required.
User groups
The SMRC has a patient user group are in operation. Details can be obtained from the Centre.
User handbooks
- About the team
