Nicole Bennett helped to deliver world class rehab services to HM Armed Forces.
Former lead orthotist at Headley Court running the Ministry of Defence’s only orthotic service.
Previous role at Blatchford helped develop pioneering new orthotic products.
Early focus on orthotics for seriously injured patients is key for successful clinical outcomes says Pace Rehabilitation

We are pleased to confirm that we have expanded our clinical services for people who have experienced serious lower limb trauma with the appointment of one of the UK’s leading orthotists.

Nicole Bennett is a HCPC Registered Prosthetist/Orthotist who specialises in complex trauma orthotic management and high activity orthotic solutions.

Graduating as a Prosthetist/Orthotist from Strathclyde University in 2005, Nicole initially started her career working in the NHS followed by a spell working clinically in New Zealand.

She then spent more than seven years as the Lead Orthotist at DMRC Headley Court running the Ministry of Defence’s only orthotic service. As part of the complex trauma team, she was responsible for providing a world class rehabilitation service to injured members of HM Armed Forces.

Prior to joining Pace Rehabilitation, she was responsible for new orthotic product patient trials and provided technical authority for Blatchford globally in relation to orthotics.

Toby Carlsson, founding director of Pace Rehabilitation, said:

“We are delighted that Nicole, a leading expert in her field, has joined our team. Nicole has vast professional experience in guiding seriously injured patients through their rehabilitation with the early introduction of orthotics. We already see many patients who have suffered lower limb trauma, some of whom are considering an amputation. Nicole’s appointment strengthens our expertise working with this cohort and we are dedicated to developing our multidisciplinary lower limb trauma service during 2021 and beyond.

“Nicole’s credentials are unique and her work will make a positive impact on the outcomes we are getting for our patients. We will continue to make first-class appointments like this as we develop our range of services for people who have sustained serious lower limb injuries”

Nicole Bennett said:

“I’m looking forward to playing a role in delivering positive clinical outcomes for our patients here at Pace Rehabilitation and being part of such a highly skilled, experienced clinical team.

“Access to high standard orthotic provision in early rehabilitation supports the foundation of a rehabilitation journey right from the outset of an injury.

“Having an early focus on orthotics enables patients to acquire the strength, skills and psychological strategy for preventing, or preparing, for an amputation, if that is ultimately considered the best solution. New orthotic solutions continue to be introduced that significantly enhance the quality of life and experience for people who have sustained serious lower limb injuries. It’s certainly an exciting time to be involved in the world of orthotics.”

In 2015 Nicole travelled to the Centre for the Intrepid (Texas, USA) to be trained by the US military rehabilitation specialists involved in the creation of the IDEO. Nicole is still the only clinician in the UK to have been trained personally by the team who created this innovative orthotic device.

She was also a key member of the team at Blatchford that commercially launched this AFO design within the UK as the Momentum brace. As the subject matter expert in this field, Nicole has since trained over 50 UK Orthotists as well as the Dutch military on the provision of this style of bracing, sharing her knowledge and expertise. See https://www.pacerehab.com/nicole-bennett/ for full clinical profile.

Patients are referred to Pace Rehabilitation by law firms, insurers and case managers working with individuals who have sustained major trauma in road traffic collisions or workplace incidents.

Pace Rehabilitation was launched in 2003 by a small team of experienced clinicians who wanted to provide a more integrated approach to the treatment of people who had sustained limb loss.

We now employ more than 40 staff across three sites in Amersham (Buckinghamshire) Bredbury (Cheshire) and Glasgow.