PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCESHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Lower limb amputation

Information for patientsVascular Services

page 2 of 28

Contents

Introduction 3What makes an amputation necessary? 4What if I do not want an amputation? 4Which part of my leg will be amputated? 5What are the risks of surgery? 6The team looking after you 7What happens before my operation? 10Your operation 11After your operation 12The next few days 13General advice - Pain control 14 - Phantom sensations and phantom pain 14 - Skin care 15 - Wound care 16 - Bathing/showering 16 - Eating and drinking 17 - Constipation 17 - Boredom/depression 17 - Clothing 18 - Smoking 18 - Sexual activity 18 - Hobbies and leisure 18Planning your discharge home 19 - Home assessment visits 19 - Going home 20 - Medication 20 - Driving 21 - Follow-up appointments 22Useful telephone numbers 22Useful information 23Notes 27

page 3 of 28

Introduction

This booklet has been written to try and reduce some of the anxiety which arises when you come into hospital for an amputation. We aim to give you and your family as much information, advice and support as possible, and to help you to understand certain aspects of your care before, during and after surgery.

This booklet will also introduce the staff that will be involved in your care.

It is hoped that the information in this booklet will reinforce the information given to you by the team involved in your care. However, as everyone is different, your stay in hospital and your care may vary.

If you think of any questions you may wish to ask, just jot them down on the spare pages at the back of the booklet and don’t hesitate to ask them.

page 4 of 28

What makes an amputation necessary?

The decision to amputate a leg is not taken lightly. In the UK, most amputations are a result of poor blood circulation or diabetes.

As we grow older the arteries which carry blood to our legs can become blocked, due to the build up of fatty deposits inside the artery walls.

This is particularly true of people who:

• smoke• have diabetes• eat a high fat diet• have high blood pressure

In some cases it is possible for a surgeon to improve the blood flow into your leg with an operation.

When this is not possible or this may have failed, an amputation may be the only option, especially if the leg has a serious infection or gangrene.

You may also have constant pain in your leg, which is difficult to control with painkilling medication.

For some people an amputation may also be necessary following an accident, injury or tumour.

What if I do not want an amputation?

The decision whether or not to have an amputation is yours. We realise this is a difficult decision and we aim to help you make the decision that is right for you by giving you all the information you need.

If you are unsure about anything, or have decided you do not wish to go ahead with your amputation at any stage before you go to theatre, please do not hesitate to speak to your consultant or the staff looking after you.

page 5 of 28

Which part of my leg will be amputated?

The main sites of amputation are:

• below the knee• through the knee (Gritti Stokes amputation)• above the knee

The level of amputation will depend on several factors, including the blood supply to your leg and how active you are.

Your doctor may refer you to other specialists, such as the physiotherapist, for advice.

It is easier to walk with an artificial leg after a below-knee amputation, but this depends on a good blood supply and a healthy knee.

Some people can manage to walk again following an above knee amputation, although the artificial leg is heavier and it requires more effort and energy to walk.

An amputation at the knee level may be preferable for those who will be using a wheelchair rather than walking.

page 6 of 28

What are the risks of surgery?

These vary from patient to patient and they depend upon other health problems that you may have.

The consultant or registrar will discuss the risks of surgery with you before they ask you to sign your consent form.

• Chest infection - this can occur following surgery, particularly in smokers, and may require treatment with antibiotics and physiotherapy.

• Kidney failure - the kidneys can also be affected by this operation, especially if they were not working well beforehand.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - although most patients are given injections to prevent this, this is also a risk of surgery and reduced mobility.

• Heart attack and stroke - as with any major operation, this is a risk and there is a 1 in 10 (10%) risk of death, because arterial disease does not just affect your leg.

• Poor wound healing/wound infection - because of the reasons why you needed any amputation sometimes the wound may become infected or fail to heal. This may be managed with dressings but sometimes further surgery is needed, and your amputation may need revising to higher up the leg.

Your doctors and nurses will try to prevent all these complications and to deal with them rapidly if they occur.

page 7 of 28

The team looking after you

An amputation of the leg is major surgery and will naturally change your life in many ways. You will be reassured to know that there is a great deal of help available to enable you to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

In the days and weeks following your surgery you will be meeting various members of the specialist hospital team who will help support you and your family. These include:

Nurses

The nursing staff are on duty 24 hours a day in order to care for you. The nurses play an important role in liaising with all members of the team so that your care is planned and co-ordinated.

If you or your family have any worries or questions whilst in hospital, please talk to the nursing staff.

Doctors

Your consultant is responsible for your medical care and leads a team of doctors. They will usually see you every day to monitor your recovery from the operation.

Occupational therapists (OT) and physiotherapists (physio)

The OT and physio are therapists who will assist in teaching you the new skills that you need in order to help you adapt to your amputation.

They will try to see you before your operation, although this is not always possible.

They will continue to see you throughout your recovery, working closely together with you. The therapy they give, whether on the ward or in the OT or physio departments, is designed to get you home as soon as it is safe to do so.

page 8 of 28

Supporting you before you have your operation

The physio may advise you of ways to physically prepare for surgery. This may involve exercises to build up your strength.

They will ensure that you have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

The physio will lend you a wheelchair during your stay in hospital and arrange for you to have your own wheelchair when you leave hospital. This will enable you to be mobile and independent.

Occasionally, some patients may need to borrow or hire a wheelchair just until their own wheelchair is available.

Several organisations offer loan wheelchairs such as the Red Cross, but your therapist will be able to advise on this.

If your amputation has been planned from the outpatient clinic, we will inform the therapists who will try to see you before you come into hospital. They will talk to you about rehabilitation following surgery.

They will also be able to carry out assessments and can start the process of discharge planning, such as ordering any equipment that you may need. This will help to reduce the length of time that you are in hospital.

Supporting you after your operation

You may feel quite tired after the operation but when you are feeling well enough, you will be encouraged to get out of bed. This may be as soon as the first day after your operation, even if only for a short period.

The physiotherapist will show you exercises to practice which will help make you stronger, including building up your upper body strength. You will also be shown how to use your wheelchair safely, and practice getting in and out of it.

page 9 of 28

After a few days you may be ready to have your physiotherapy sessions. This may include a visit to the physiotherapy gym. The gym is within the hospital grounds but a short ambulance journey is needed to get to it. It is located in the Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre (MSRC).

On your visit to the gym, you may use a practice leg, known as an early walking aid. This helps you to feel the sensation of walking with a limb and to learn the basics of walking again between the parallel bars.

Not everyone who has had an amputation has a prosthesis (artificial limb) but many people do. However, a variety of factors need to be considered in order to decide what is best for each individual. If you suffer from a serious heart condition or have difficulty breathing, then it may be not be advisable for you to wear an artificial limb.

If you do not have an artificial limb, you can still contact the MSRC for help and support as they have access to a whole range of information that you may find useful.

Following discharge from hospital, if you are going to have an artificial limb we will arrange physiotherapy for you closer to your home.

The Occupational Therapy Department is equipped with a variety of rooms including a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and a short flight of stairs. Here you can develop or maintain the practical skills of day to day living, which you require when you return home or leave hospital.

You will be shown techniques to enable you to wash and dress, bathe and toilet yourself and mobilise in your wheelchair. In addition, you will also be shown how to move from the wheelchair into a bed or armchair and how to prepare drinks or meals.

In order to relate these skills to your personal situation, the OT will discuss your previous level of ability and home situation, work and leisure activities. What you are shown and the level of practice you will need will depend upon your personal situation.

page 10 of 28

What happens before my operation?

If the amputation was planned before you came into hospital, you will be asked to attend an appointment at the Pre-operative assessment clinic before you come into hospital. The Pre-operative assessment clinic is based at the Central Health Clinic in Sheffield City Centre. You will have a number of pre-operative tests, including blood tests, an electro-cardiogram (ECG) and a chest X-ray (CXR).

Once in hospital, an anaesthetist will see you before your operation to discuss the type of anaesthetic that will be best for you. They will also check your blood tests, X-rays and other tests to make sure it is safe to operate on you.

The anaesthetist will answer any questions you may have. If you are feeling anxious before your operation, they may be able to prescribe a sleeping tablet.

The consultant or registrar will ask you to sign a consent form after they have discussed the operation with you. They will confirm the level of the amputation with you and mark the affected leg. We must seek your consent for any procedure beforehand. Staff will explain the risks, benefits and alternatives where relevant before they ask you to sign. If you are unsure about any aspect of your procedure or treatment, please do not hesitate to ask.

You will be advised when you need to stop eating and drinking, which is usually a minimum of 6 hours before surgery.

The nurse looking after you will prepare you for theatre using a checklist, which is designed to ensure you are properly and safely prepared. You will also be given all your important medications with a small sip of water. You will be escorted to theatre on your bed where your care will be handed over to the nurses in theatre.

If you are diabetic, you may be attached to a special drip which will control your blood sugar until you are able to eat and drink again.

page 11 of 28

Your operation

The anaesthetist will have already discussed with you what type of anaesthetic you need.

Most amputations are performed under an epidural anaesthetic, which means that you will not be put to sleep. You will, however, be given sedation so that you will feel quite calm and relaxed and you will not remember much about the operation afterwards.

An epidural or spinal anaesthetic involves a small tube being inserted into your lower back, through which painkilling drugs are given to numb the whole of the area below your waist.

However, epidurals are not suitable for all patients and the anaesthetist will discuss this with you when they come to see you.

An alternate form of anaesthetic allows you to have an amputation without being put to sleep. This involves the use of nerve catheters, which may be combined with injections into the leg to block the feeling in the nerves supplying your leg with local anaesthetic.

The nerve catheter may be left in place after the operation to help with pain relief over the next few days.

A tube, known as a catheter, will also be inserted into your bladder as it will be difficult for you to pass urine (pee) normally until your epidural has been removed.

page 12 of 28

What happens after my operation?

You will return to the ward on your bed. The nurse looking after you will closely monitor you for several hours. You will be wearing an oxygen mask and will be attached to a ‘drip’ in your arm, which will be removed as soon as you are able to drink.

If you have had an epidural anaesthetic, you may still be attached to this when you return to the ward and this will help to control your pain. This will usually give you a background dose of pain relief but you can also press a small button to allow further doses of painkillers if required. This is known as a PCEA (Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia).

If you haven’t had an epidural, you may be attached to a drip in your arm known as a PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia). This may give a background dose of analgesia but you can also self-administer painkillers by pressing a button if needed.

You will still need the tube in your bladder to drain your urine.

If you have had an epidural, you will be able to have a drink once back on the ward and start eating fairly soon afterwards. If you have had a general anaesthetic, you will need to wait a little while before having a drink as you may feel or be sick if you drink too soon.

You will have a dressing on your wound and there may also be a small drain attached to prevent a build-up of fluid. This is normally taken out within 24 to 48 hours (1 to 2 days).

Some patients need to be cared for in a high dependency area, for close monitoring after the operation. The anaesthetist who sees you may request this before the operation, but sometimes this may be necessary even if it was not planned. The ward will be able to let your relatives know where you are. As soon as you are ready, you will be transferred back to the ward.

page 13 of 28

The next few days

Normally the day after your operation, if you are feeling well enough, the nurse or therapists will help you to get out of bed and into your wheelchair. You may find it difficult at first to sit up and get out of bed, and to get washed and dressed, because you are attached to drips, tubes and equipment. The nurses and therapists will help you with this.

The tubes and equipment will be removed as soon as possible so that you can do as much as possible for yourself. Your rehabilitation will start immediately (with simple bed exercises and sitting out of bed).

You may feel that we are getting you out of bed too soon, but it is important to get you moving quite early following your operation. This is because a number of problems can arise if you are in bed for too long.

Research has shown that bed rest is not a good way to recover from many illnesses or injuries and may actually make your recovery time longer. You will be encouraged to get dressed into your own clothes every day. It is important to get back into some kind of a routine.

Once your tubes and equipment have been removed and you are feeling better, more active rehabilitation will begin. This may include going to the physiotherapy gym on the weekdays. The gym is within the hospital grounds but a short ambulance journey is needed to get to it. You will also see the OT on a regular basis, to work on your transfers (from bed to chair, chair to toilet, etc.) and daily living skills.

Whether your therapy is on the ward or in another department, the OT and physio are working to get you home as soon as it is safe to do so. You will also be given exercises to practice when you are not receiving therapy. Following amputation, the risk of falls is higher. This is enhanced by forgetting your leg is no longer there. It is important you concentrate whenever moving and transferring out of bed, your wheelchair or in the toilet area.

page 14 of 28

General advice

Pain control and side effects

Following your operation your pain should be well controlled with your epidural or pain-controlling (morphine) drip. When these are removed you will be given regular oral painkillers. It is important to tell the staff if you are suffering any pain or discomfort so that your pain can be well controlled.

Sometimes painkillers cause unwanted side effects that you need to be aware of. These include:

• drowsiness• hallucinations• constipation• loss of appetite• dry mouth• sickness / vomiting• lightheadedness• indigestion / heartburn

Please discuss any of these problems with the team caring for you, as alternative medication may need to be prescribed.

Phantom sensations and phantom pain

Phantom sensations and/or phantom pains are experienced by many people with amputations at some time. A phantom sensation is when you can feel the limb that is no longer there. This can vary in intensity and you may feel the limb moving as you move, but everyone’s experience is different. For most people phantom sensations and/or pain settle down over a period of time but in some cases they may never fully go away.

page 15 of 28

If you are worried about this, talk to your doctor, nurse or therapist who may be able to suggest some things to help such as:

• warm baths• touching your stump• gentle massage• exercising the stump• relaxation• medication• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may also help.

Skin care

It is important to look after your skin, especially when you are in bed or sitting in your wheelchair for long periods of time. Pressure sores (skin damage caused by constant pressure to an area) can develop. The most vulnerable areas are:

• your bottom• your heels• your elbows

If you have had both of your legs amputated, all the pressure will be on your bottom and very special care must be taken to prevent a pressure sore here. In order to prevent pressure sores, the nurses and therapists will work together with you using:

• a special bed and mattress• a special cushion for your wheelchair• regular position changes• special footwear to protect your heel• regular daily inspections of your skin.

A more detailed information leaflet is available which you can ask for: 'How to avoid pressure ulcers'.

page 16 of 28

Wound care

After approximately 3 to 5 days your dressing will be removed for the first time in order to check your wound. The consultant or registrar will do this on their ward round. It will be removed earlier than this if you have any excessive bleeding or pain.

After inspection, your wound will then be re-dressed in order to help healing, reduce pain and protect your wound. Your stitches or clips will be removed after about 10 days.

Wound healing can sometimes be slow and occasionally the wound will not heal or it becomes infected. This will be treated with antibiotics and special dressings, but sometimes further surgery may be necessary to revise the amputation.

Aches and twinges may occur in the wound and continue for several months.

If your wound still requires attention when you go home, the nurses will refer you to the community nurse for further wound care. You will be given the appropriate dressings to take home. Your wound will be examined again when you attend the outpatient clinic.

Bathing and showering

Once you are feeling well enough you will be able to have a bath or shower and have your hair washed, with assistance from the nursing staff. You may feel a little nervous about this at first but most patients feel much better afterwards.

The ward bathrooms are well equipped for wheelchair users and your safety, privacy and comfort will be maintained. It doesn’t matter if you have an open wound, as bathing will not cause any harm. The nurses will re-dress your wound following your bath or shower.

page 17 of 28

Eating and drinking

It is important to eat and drink well, as this will help your wound to heal. It will also help prevent the development of pressure sores and generally you will regain your strength and recover more quickly. Many patients do have a poor appetite following surgery and it is important to discuss this with the nurses who can help by:

• referring you to a dietitian• providing you with supplementary drinks and snacks.

Also relatives can bring you food you enjoy (hot food cannot be re-heated). If you are diabetic, it is important to maintain good blood sugar control to aid your recovery.

Constipation

You may find constipation a problem due to a lack of mobility and the side effects of your painkillers. Constipation can be helped by:

• drinking plenty• eating fruit, vegetables and high fibre foods• laxatives which can be provided if necessary• being as active as possible.

Please do not hesitate to discuss this with your nurse or doctor, as it is better to treat this sooner rather than later.

Boredom and depression

It is quite common to feel low in mood at this time. You may also be feeling upset about losing your leg. Please discuss these feelings with the team looking after you as they will be able to offer help and support in overcoming these feelings.

If necessary, advice or treatment from the psychiatry team can be obtained.

page 18 of 28

Clothing

After the initial stage following your operation we encourage you to get dressed in your own clothes, rather than hospital gowns and pyjamas. This helps to maintain your dignity and is a very important part of your rehabilitation. You may find it easier and more comfortable to wear loose fitting clothing during the day, for example tracksuits, sweatshirts, shorts, t-shirts and elasticated-waist skirts.

In order to reach the physiotherapy gym it is necessary for the porters to take you outside for a brief period. You will therefore need some warm clothing in colder weather.

Smoking

If you are a smoker you must make a sincere and determined effort to stop, as smoking may further damage the circulation to your other leg. There is help available to you to help you stop smoking. Please do not hesitate to ask us about this and we will be only too pleased to help you.

Sexual activity

When you go home, sexual relations may be resumed once you feel comfortable.

Hobbies and leisure

It is often possible to continue with any hobby or pastime in which you are interested. In some instances it may be necessary to find an alternative way of approaching the activity, and therapists can often advise you on this.

Take good care of your remaining foot; keep it clean and protected from injury by wearing a well fitting shoe. The orthotist can provide special footwear if required. A chiropodist / podiatrist should cut your toenails.

page 19 of 28

Planning your discharge home

Home assessment visits

As you will be discharged with a wheelchair, it is essential to assess your home situation before you are discharged. This is to ensure your safety at home. This will be done by the Occupational Therapist (OT) and it allows them to plan for any additional support or adaptations you may require. The OT will arrange to do either an access visit or a home visit or both.

In the majority of cases an access visit will be completed with your permission but you will not be present on an access visit. Ideally a family member, carer or friend should be present at the access visit although this is not essential.

The access visit helps us to highlight any issues that may impact on discharge. The OT will measure the height of furniture, check for wheelchair suitability and to assess if changes are needed to allow access with a wheelchair. We also identify if any referrals are needed for social services or housing. This way we can tailor your inpatient therapy to your individual needs.

A home visit is when you go on the visit with the OT. This would be in order to confirm that you will manage at home. With information gained from the visit, a discharge plan will be made to ensure that equipment / assistance is in place prior to your discharge home.

Referrals to Social Services will also be made for major adaptations (if needed) prior to your discharge. However, please note these will not be completed in time for your discharge home, so it may be necessary to go home with temporary solutions in place until major adaptations are complete.

If it is necessary to consider re-housing, the OT will be able to advise you on the suitability of accommodation when it is offered to you.

page 20 of 28

Going home

Some alterations may be necessary at your home before you are discharged. If major alterations are needed, such as walk-in showers, ramps or stairlifts, you are likely to have to return home to await these adaptations as they can take several months. Sometimes it may be necessary for you to move into different accommodation. If this is likely to take some time, you may have to go home to await rehousing.

If you do need to be rehoused, we will provide you and your carers with the information, advice and support necessary to guide you through this process.

After discharge, the occupational therapist who saw you on the ward will continue to help you adapt to your new circumstances by either telephoning you or visiting you at home, if necessary. The OT can advise you on safe mobility and transfers around your home downstairs, upstairs and outside either in your wheelchair or when wearing an artificial limb.

You can discuss with them any further need for adaptations or equipment that may improve independence and safety at home, and ask for advice on driving or car transfers, or information to help you return to work.

Medication

You will usually be sent home on a small dose of aspirin, and a statin, if you were not already taking them. This is to make the blood less sticky and to reduce your cholesterol level. These medications reduce the risk of further trouble from arterial disease.

If you are unable to tolerate an aspirin, an alternative drug called Clopidogrel will be prescribed.

page 21 of 28

Driving

Driving is still possible following an amputation, although you may need an automatic car or a car with some special modifications. Please see the leaflet "Driving after amputation" available from the physiotherapist, occupational therapist or Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre.

The William Merritt Centre is a Driving Assessment Centre. They offer assessments and advice to drivers, passengers, their carers, and families all over Yorkshire who have any medical condition which is likely to impact on their driving mobility. They also offer assessments to people who need an adaptation or wheelchair accessible vehicle, or advice to be able to access vehicles and load/unload equipment such as wheelchairs. They are based in Leeds and have an office in Sheffield.

They can be contacted as follows:

• 0114 303 9030• 07858 224 510 (text)• info@wmdlc.org• www.wmdlc.org

You will also need to contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Association (DVLA) to let them know you have had a change in your medical condition, including when you had a limb amputated. They will be able to give you further information. Visit their website:

• www.gov.uk/amputations-and-driving

The following is a useful publication: 'Motoring after an amputation' by RIDC (Research Institute for Disabled Customers):

• www.ridc.org.uk/content/motoring-after-amputation

page 22 of 28

Follow-up appointments

You will usually receive an appointment to be seen in the outpatient clinic about 6 to 8 weeks after your discharge from hospital, to check that the wound has healed properly.

The consultant at the Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre will also see you if you plan to wear an artificial limb. If you need to contact these for any reason, telephone on the number provided.

At the Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre (MSRC) the following members of the team are there to help:

• Doctor• Nurse• Physiotherapist• Occupational therapist• Prosthetist (limb fitter)• Wheelchair specialist• Clinical psychologist

The contact number for the MSRC is:

• 0114 271 5807

Ward contact numbers

Firth 2

• 0114 271 4603 • 0114 271 4685

page 23 of 28

Useful informationASH (Action on smoking and health)

Provides information on all aspects of smoking support and advice for people who wish to stop smoking.

• 0207 404 0242• www.ash.org.uk

Sheffield City Council - Welfare rights and benefits advice

Provides benefits advice, leaflets and information and home visits. Helps with reviews and represents at Social Security tribunals and housing benefit appeals.

• 0114 273 4567 Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 6.00pm• www.sheffield.gov.uk

Blue badge scheme

Allows parking without charge or time limits in "Pay and Display" parking bays in the street, in council car parks and some limited parking on yellow lines.

The scheme is for passengers who are registered blind and drivers or passengers with a permanent disability who have considerable difficulty in walking, those who are in receipt of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or drive an adapted car provided by the Department of Social Security.

• www.sheffield.gov.uk/content/sheffield/home/parking/apply-for-blue-badge.html

page 24 of 28

Driving and Vehicle Licensing Association (DVLA)• 0300 790 6806 (for driving and medical issues)

Midlands Association for Amputees and Friends (MAAF)

MAAF aims to try to help people with amputations and their families and friends:

• to adjust to the loss of limbs• to help members get together and support each other• to provide social and educational activities.

This group meet monthly in Chesterfield and a representative attends the M&SRC once every two weeks.

• 01773 872 922• www.midlandsamputees.org.uk

NHS 111

NHS 111 operates a 24-hour nurse advice and health information service, providing confidential information on:

• What to do if you or your family are feeling ill• Particular health conditions• Local healthcare services, such as doctors, dentists or late night

opening pharmacies• Self help and support organisations

NHS 111 works with other healthcare services provided by the NHS, helping you make the right choice to meet your needs. Calls to NHS 111 are free and for patient’s safety, all calls are recorded.

If you need health information or advice at any time of the day or night, call NHS 111.

page 25 of 28

Sheffield Hospitals Diabetes Centres

With centres at both the Northern General Hospital and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, this centre provides services to people with diabetes. This includes general support, information and advice, and specialist clinics on particular aspects of diabetes care. Medical referral is not needed following a diagnosis, but an appointment system is operated.

• 0114 271 4445 (Northern General Hospital)• 0114 271 3479 (Royal Hallamshire Hospital)• www.sth.nhs.uk

Placement Assessment and Counselling Team (PACT)

Advice, assessment and financial assistance for disabled people under the Access to Work Scheme.

Advisers located in Job Centres offer job search support, work preparation, assessment and incentives for employers. The PAC Team's address and telephone number is available from your local Job Centre.

• www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview

Stopping smoking

FREE help and support for stopping smoking is available by contacting the NHS Sheffield Stop Smoking Service on:

• 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines)• 0330 660 1166 (free from mobiles)• http://sheffield.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk

page 26 of 28

Patient Services Team

A free, confidential service designed to help patients, parents and carers with any information, concerns or queries they have about NHS services.

If you are unhappy with your care or have any concerns you wish to discuss, you may contact the Patient Services Team on:

• 0114 271 2400

William Merritt Centre - Driving assessment Centre

Offer assessments and advice to drivers, passengers and carers from Yorkshire with medical conditions that are likely to impact upon their driving mobility.

Assessments for wheelchair accessible vehicles/adaptations are also offered.

• 0114 303 9030• 07858 224 510 (Text)• info@wmdlc.org• www.wmdlc.org

page 27 of 28

Notes

PD3013-PIL1030 v5 Issue Date: April 2022. Review Date: April 2025

This booklet has been written by the multi-disciplinary team of staff working at the Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre, and the Vascular wards at the Northern

General Hospital.

Alternative formats can be available on request.Please email: sth.alternativeformats@nhs.net© Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2022Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the “Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005” SI 2005 No.1515. Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. Email sth.infogov@nhs.net