Portsmouth Enablement Centre

The Portsmouth Enablement Centre provides a regional prosthetic service to people living in Portsmouth, Southampton, wider Hampshire, as well as some areas of West Sussex.

It is one of over 40 such centres across the UK, including one of nine enhanced veterans care centres which provide specialist prosthetic and rehabilitation services for veterans whose amputation is attributed to their military service.

An assessment for an artificial limb will be carried out at the centre. Prosthetic clinics are held for both adults and children, who can be upper or lower limb amputees, or both.

We have created this film for you to better understand rehabilitation with a prosthesis. The film explains the key stages described above from team members at the centre, including surgeons, physiotherapists and prosthetists. The video also includes stories from people who have completed their rehabilitation journey and have agreed to share their experiences with you.

Information for our veteran patients
As a Veteran Aware Trust, PHU is driven in providing the best care for it's veteran patients and their families. The Portsmouth Enablement Centre is one of nine enhanced veteran service centres in England, providing specialist rehabilitation services to those who have served for our country.

The centre has invested in extra resources to manage specialised prosthetic rehabilitation of military amputees. This includes additional equipment, rehab facilities, training and staffing.

Please see below some of the equipment and facilities available:

Specialised carver that allows us to scan and carve the prosthetic sockets
Extra gym space to allow more patients to attend therapy at the same time
Adjustable ramp for slope climbing training
Balance and performance monitor
Pressure plates for balance training
Wheelchairs

The team at the centre is very proud to help meet holistic needs of veteran patients by not only supporting them through the rehabilitation process, but also working in close partnership with Blesma (formerly known as the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association). They not only support events organised by Blesma, but also consult with them to understand what improvements the unit can make to continue to meet veteran’s needs.

Car parking facilities are available, but at times it can be busy so please allow adequate time to get to your appointment.

A camera recognition system is in place and charges are applicable.

There is a pay machine outside of main reception, so please pay prior to leaving the site.

Disabled car parking spaces are also available outside the centre (please complete paperwork for this when you arrive at reception).

If you are about to undergo an amputation or are considering prosthetic rehab, you may have some questions about your care and what will happen during your amputation journey.

The Portsmouth Enablement Centre has produced a series of leaflets setting out the key steps following an amputation. Whether you are reading this at the beginning of your amputation journey or many years down the line, there is a great selection of information that will answer many of your questions.

The amputation – the first few days - Provides information about being admitted to hospital, the amputation surgery, and what happens immediately afterwards including details about postoperative and phantom pain.
Early rehabilitation whilst in hospital and getting home - This leaflets tells you about the early rehabilitation process, explaining what happens while you are still in hospital. It includes information about how to look after your residual limb, being discharged from hospital and what happens when you get home.
Introducing the Portsmouth Enablement Centre - Find out about the Portsmouth Enablement Centre, including its facilities and services, and members of the rehabilitation team. You can also find out about parking, hospital transport and making an appointment.
The five stage rehabilitation process for artificial limbs - This leaflet describes the five stages of rehabilitation with a prosthetic limb. Starting from assessment, prescription of a prosthesis, fitting the limb, learning to use the limb to achieve your goals and living life with a prosthetic limb.
Looking after yourself and your artificial limb - Find out how to look after yourself and your prosthesis in the longer term. This leaflet provides information about your residual limb, your remaining leg and how to care for and maintain your prosthesis.
Emotional health and wellbeing - Provides important information about the impact of losing a limb may have on you, how to cope and adjust and the counselling services available at the centre.
Rehabilitation following an upper limb amputation - If you have had an upper limb amputation, this specific leaflet provides information about our upper limb services, prosthetic limbs and devices as well as information about pain and emotional support.
Children with limb loss - The final leaflet in our series is about children with limb loss. This leaflet provides information to parents or carers of children with limb loss and discusses both upper and lower limb loss as well as types of prostheses and learning to use them.