The Orthotic Centre was established in 1991 and is New Zealand's largest and most comprehensive orthotic service.

The Centre is professionally staffed by a team of experienced, degree- qualified clinical orthotists, supported by highly skilled technicians, and has a proud record in providing quality services to private, ACC and Crown funded clients.

What is Orthotics?

Orthotic supports (orthoses) provide conservative, non invasive and cost-effective assistance in the management of many rehabilitation and disability conditions. The purpose of orthoses is to immobilise, support, prevent abnormality, correct abnormality or to assist/restore function in joints, limbs or muscles.

There is a wide variety of orthoses, including supports, corsets, braces, calipers, cervical collars and slings.  Other examples are surgical footwear and footwear items (insoles, arch supports, shoe raises, heel cups). Depending on requirements, orthoses may be trial fitted "off the shelf", modified and provided immediately, or may need to be custom designed and custom manufactured. Each is fitted to meet individual client's needs and the goals of the prescriber. 

Clinical Orthotists working at our Ellerslie Centre:

• Hiren Champaneri, BSc (Hons) Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Shiv Sheet, BSc (Hons) Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Pratibha Sheet, BSc (Hons) Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Moss Henderson, Endorsed Cert. in Orthotics
• Taryn Seaman, BTech  Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Sara Sheehan, Endorsed Cert. in Orthotics
• Mark Leonida, Dip in Orthotics & Prosthetics
• Jency John, B Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Shraddha Rasal, BSC Prosthetics & Orthotics

 Clinical Orthotists working at our North Shore Centre:

• Steven Bertels, MSc Health Tech Biomechanical Engineering

Clinical Orthotists working at our Hamilton Centre:

• Werner Sonnendecker. Nat. Dip. in Orthotics & Prosthetics S.A
• Michael Batters, NZOPBC Accredited
• Emily Leung B Prosthetics & Orthotics

Clinical Staff working at our Wellington Centre

• Angela Bayley, Branch Manager, B Health Science
• Dennis Libline, Endorsed Cert in Orthotics
• Lauren Milstead, BSc (Hons) Prosthetics & Orthotics

Clinical Staff Working at our Christchurch Centre

• Paul Ward, General Manager, Endorsed Cert. in Orthotics
• Dave Bowick, Endorsed Cert. in Orthotics
• Mark Smith, Endorsed Cert. in Orthotics

Clinical Staff working at our Dunedin Centre

•  Brent Fisher, Senior Clinical Orthotist
•  Neil Derbyshire, Clinical Orthotist

Clinical Staff working at our Invercargill Centre

•  Geoffrey Storm, Clinical Orthotist
•  Susan Hurring, Locum Orthotist
•  Angela Matheson, Locum Orthotist

Clients can come to the Orthotic Centre by:

• Client-funded self-referral
• Client-funded prescription or referral
• Crown-funded prescription or referral issued by a hospital-based medical specialist (or other health professional with prescribing authority) employed by a District Health Board
• ACC-funded (accepted claim) prescription or referral issued by a registered medical specialist.

When making the appointment, clients may choose to see a male or female orthotist (where available)  if they have a preference.

Once the orthotist has decided which type of orthosis is most suitable, a client may be fitted with a ready-made, a modified ready-made or custom- manufactured orthosis. It may be necessary for the orthotist to take measurements, tracings and/or make a plaster mould to ensure the correct design and fitting of the orthosis. 

Once the orthosis is fitted and is comfortable, the client will be shown how to use it and look after it. Follow-up checks are made if necessary.

Orthotic Assessment Clinic

Clients wishing to access the Crown-funded service must be referred by a healthcare professional to the Orthotic Centre's Specialist Assessment Clinic. Clients must meet the Ministry of Health or ACC funding criteria. Orthotic assessments are performed by an orthopaedic specialist (see 'Consultants' below) and a clinical orthotist. Caregivers or support persons are welcome to attend the appointment.

Costs depend on the service, and in particular the orthosis, provided. Please discuss this with the orthotist who sees you or with reception.

An initial consultation cost is approximatelt $92.00 and other costs will depend on what the orthotist recommends in the consultation.

If an orthosis is needed due to an ACC related injury you may pay for the orthosis yourself and make a claim to ACC (as appropriate) or the Centre can apply to ACC on your behalf. In the latter instance, orthoses are not usually provided until ACC grants funding approval.

For clients funded through the  Ministry of Health, there may be a part charge of up to $37.00 for some items. There is no client charge on these items for children aged 16 or younger.

Orthotic Centre - Ellerslie
The Orthotic Centre is at 614 Great South Road on the left hand side if you are approaching from Greenlane. It is just beyond the "Yellow" building and just before the large "Wendys" sign.

Northern Clinic Medical & Surgical Centre
The clinic is at 212 Wairau Road, next door to the North Shore Southern Cross Hospital. It is up a driveway and is well sign posted.
Take the Tristram Road off ramp from the Northern Motorway.

Orthotic Centre (Midland) Ltd Hamilton
The Centre is at 43 Pembroke Street, Hamilton, on the left hand side heading towards Waikato Hospital and just before the Hamilton Lake entrance.

Orthotic Centre (Wellington) Ltd
The Centre is at 3-5 George Street, Thorndon, Wellington. Cross the motorway on Molesworth Street, turn left into Tinakori Road and George Street is the first on the right.  The Centre is on the left in George Street. 

Orthotic Centre Christchurch

The Centre is at 9 Walker Street, Christchurch which runs between Durham Street South and Montreal Street.

Orthotic Centre Dunedin

The Centre is in the Fraser Building, 464 Cumberland Street, Dunedin

Orthotic Centre Invercargill

The Centre is in Southland Hospital, Kew Road, Invercargill.

Orthotic Centre - Ellerslie
The Centre is on a main bus route (Great South Rd) and is in walking distance from Ellerslie Railway Station.

For more information on public transport including timetables, directions and prices, please see www.maxx.co.nz

Orthotic Centre - Ellerslie - Hamilton - Wellington - Christchurch
Off street parking is available immediately outside each Centre

Northern Clinic Medical & Surgical Centre
Free parking available on site.