Orthotic services in the UK are
usually contracted to an external
service provider who deliver the
service in both community and acute
settings. Some orthotic services are
provided in-house by NHS orthotists.
Services are commissioned by trusts and
clinical commissioning groups, which
creates a variation of contracts styles
that attract differing budgets.
Orthotic services strive to provide clinical
excellence by ensuring there is equity
and consistency in the care provided.
One such method to achieve this is the
use of evidence-based pathways (EBPs)
that can be implemented in all service
styles. EBPs are created in partnership
with other relevant health professionals
that are involved in the treatment of a
specific patient group. A comprehensive
EBP for orthotic intervention in stroke
patients was developed in 2011 internally
by and for Blatchford Clinical Services,
and to use nationally in the orthotic services
it provides to the NHS. It offers recommendations
based on the available literature,
as well as opinions and experiences
from clinicians. This pathway was
introduced to orthotists nationally and