Dear Clients of X-Tremity Prosthetics & Orthotics,

It has come to our attention that there is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to your rights as an amputee and your choice in prosthetic providers.

We have had a few of you tell us that you have been pressured into receiving care from a particular provider or have been told that you must switch from X-Tremity to another provider in order to receive certain benefits, payments, eligibilities etc. 

We are happy to confirm with you that you do in fact have a choice and are welcome to choose your provider. It is true that some prosthetic providers have been awarded contracts that give them the exclusivity of new amputees in the NSW Health system. This means that only these contracted providers of prosthetics can supply the first "interim" leg to amputees. It is then the hope of these providers that the patient (you) stays with them in the long-run. This contractual obligation on the patient is only recognised for a period of six months. After this time, the patient is free to choose any provider they see fit to take over their prosthetic care.

There is a clause however that recognises the relationship built between a provider and a client and allows a new amputee to go straight back to their previous provider immediately after amputation. For example, if we have been treating you for years for a foot condition or AFO fitments and your condition leads you to require amputation, you are able to be seen by us at X-Tremity straight away for your first "interim" leg as we have a pre-existing relationship with you.

All of this is to say that you do in fact have a choice as to who treats you for your prosthetic care, despite what some misinformed or less-than-honest prosthetic providers might say.

If you have any questions about any of this, we're always happy to talk! Feel free to reach out to us for clarification if you need it. Otherwise, thank you for the trust you place in us every day for your prosthetics treatment and we hope to do the best that we can by you always. A great deal of trust and rapport must be built between a provider and a client as the road of prosthetic care is travelled and we at X-Tremity certainly do not take this responsibility for granted. It's an honour and we look forward to our continued partnership in your journey.

All the best from all of us,
X-Tremity Prosthetics & Orthotics