TALIPES/CLUBFOOT and moving to the UK

[eefje]

Hello,

I have a son who is 12 months old and was born with talipes (left foot). He had a cast for 7 months and had an operation when he was 4 1/2 months. Now he has a boot he has to wear during the nights only, to keep his foot in the right position.

We live in the Netherlands and are moving to Newcastle upon Tyne end of december. I have some questions, I hope somebody can answer for me...

• Does anybody know a good doctor specialized in talipes in the northeast?

• In Holland the boot (or whatever its called in english) is financially covered by our health insurance (I believe 1 in every 9 months). I know in England there's the National Health, but have no idea how this works... Will it cover costs for treatment? Will I need extra health insurance? Do we pay for the medial devices ourselves??

Hope someone can answer my questions!

Eva

Hi Eeefie,you may get some more knowledgable replies posting this in Special needs.

I think there is a site you can google re a list of consultants,unsure what it is called,sorry.Have you tried googling paediatricians,North East.

Any child here that has additional needs can be referred via GP to access physio,appliances etc.My dd has numerous issues and has beeen referred to the local child development centre,This encompasses a multidisciplinary team of developmental paed,physios,SALT,audiology,appliances,orthoptists who assess and monitor progress.Certainly equipment is provided by the NHS (DD is awaiting a step from physio)I think you can also apply for some grants/benefits if your child has special needs under certain circumstances.

hth xx

Sorry,re read that,joining a GP practice is free and referrals are free and the physio etc is free.It can take time though from referral for child to be seen.

Hi Eva,

My son is being treated in London at Chelsea and Westminster, he has one foot affected. We were advised that they have stopped performing surgery and use something called the Ponseti method, where the foot is trained out and then held in position with a boot. the cost of the boots is covered by our PCT, but depending on where you live depends on the type of boots ie, some pct's fund the old style cheaper ones, some fund the newer more expensive ones. There is and excellent Ponsetti doctor somewhere in the North East, can't remember where exactly! Also there are a couple of websites "steps" and a yahoo group "talipesuk" can't do links sorry!

eefje - Sheffield Childrens Hospital has an excellent reputation. They have a very experienced orthopaedic department and a limb reconstruction unit. I'm not sure about the finance side of things for someone moving from abraod.

Thanks for the replies! This helps a lot.

So first thing I do is find a GP and get a referral, i think I can do that . I think my son needs a new boot in February, so hope it doesn't take very long...

breadandroses, what is PCT??

Eva

Primary care trust- they deal with requests to finance treatment, referals or equipment that isn't usual in a particular area.

if you phone 'steps charity' on 08717170044 they will be able to give you a list of consultants that treat talipes in the area that you are moving to. They can also send you any info that you'd like on the treatment available in the uk.

Hope your move goes smoothly

You need to see Gavin de Kiewiet in Sunderland

Think the hospital is called Sunderland Royal Hospital now. Used to be Sunderland District General.

You should be covered for treatment and appliances on the NHS if you are EU citizens.

Thanks! I've heard this name a couple of times now. I've had contact with steps-charity and they also advised me this dr. De Kiewiet. I will try to get an appointment with him for sure, as soon a s we arrive in the UK.

Hi, I posted on your other thread recommending Mr de Kiewiet - I don't know if you saw my post.

Mr de Kiewiet treated my DS2 very successfully. Thoroughly recommend him. Lovely man too.

Yes, I've read it (and replied to it). Thanks Dinosaur, I feel relieved now that I no there's such a good consultant in the Newcastle area!