Pace Stages Advanced Technology Seminar
Over 50 medical and legal professionals attended an advanced technology themed seminar in Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum on 18 October hosted by PACE Rehabilitation – one of the UK’s leading independent rehabilitation providers.
Run in association with leading personal injury law firm Irwin Mitchell and prosthetic giants Össur UK and Otto Bock, the Converting Patients into People seminar, explored the complete clinical and legal journey for amputees with respect to the use of advanced prosthetic technology.
Leading experts from across the country gathered to discuss the rehabilitation process for amputees. Topics included the latest treatment programmes and clinical reasoning, with an insight into current and next generation technology and its functional application.
Contemporary and future prosthetic technology was on show from Össur UK. One of its leading prosthetists, Richard Hirons, impressed the audience with demonstrations of Össur’s latest Bionic products – Power Knee, Rheo Knee and Proprio Foot.
Microprocessor technology for upper limb users was demonstrated by Otto Bock’s prosthetist John Mortimer, who offered information on the latest technology for advanced upper extremity prostheses.
Personal Injury Lawyer, Jonathan Betts, who has a particular interest in catastrophic injury claims, representing a number of amputee clients in complex liability cases, emphasised the benefits of early intervention and close co-operation between treating agencies, allowing clients a sufficient rehabilitation period before expert opinions are formed.
PACE’s resident therapists Carolyn Hirons and Jane McLaughlin, talked about the vital role of occupational therapy and physiotherapy within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. Without such input, the success of prescribing advanced prosthetic technology would be compromised.
Finally, the seminar was wrapped up by Albert Thompson, who has personal experience of the service from Pace and who captivated delegates with his story of how he came to have an amputation. Albert was serving in Iraq with the forces when he was hit by friendly fire and as a result had to have his leg amputated above the knee. He spoke of his road to recovery and the people who helped him along the way. Albert now runs a business providing amputee casualty simulation in real life training scenarios for the emergency services, as well as providing extras for TV and film.
PACE plans to stage a similar event in the South at the beginning of 2008. Interested parties should contact admin@pacerehab.com or call 0845 450 7357 to receive further information.