Our centre has an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team, made up of seating physical therapists, and seating technicians, that comprehensively assesses clients for their wheelchair and adaptive seating and positioning needs. We also involve the client's family and referring primary therapists. Technical assessments for seating systems and assistive devices are conducted through a clinic and/or client-centred appointment.
The goal of our seating clinic is to provide appropriate, effective, and functional seating and mobility systems for each client. To do this, clinic staff work closely with clients, family members, physicians, therapists, vendors, and all other members of the client's care team.
The initial assessment involves a client interview and physical evaluation, during which the following information is obtained: client goals and reasons for coming to the clinic, prior medical history, present level of function with daily living activities, description of home environment, transportation, prior use of mobility systems, funding, and orthopaedic issues. Using this information, our staff can then offer appropriate wheelchairs for trial during a subsequent client visit.
The next step is to prescribe an appropriate mobility device. Because of the wide array of seating products and mobility systems available, clients must receive education on the different options before suitable equipment is determined. In addition to helping clients select the appropriate device, we can order and install additional equipment and custom-built requirements.
Selecting the appropriate wheelchair and/or seating system is crucial to improving client function. For example, chair selection can make the difference between transferring independently and needing assistance. In general, this education process is ongoing throughout client care. To provide excellent services, we believe it is important to actively involve clients and/or caregivers in the device selection process.
We provide warranty work for all our seating systems. Maintenance and repairs to wheelchairs are done on a fee-for-service basis.
We do prepare estimates and funding letters required by any third-parties who support the purchase of your device.
A written referral or prescription from your physician is required for a device and/or assessment at the Queen Alexandra Orthotics, Prosthetics and Seating.
You or your doctor can send a referral or prescription to us by:
To schedule your appointment, please call 250-519-6732
At the end of your first appointment, you can make future appointments at our reception before you leave.
When you visit us for the first time, please make sure you bring:
When you are referred to us at QAOPS, your doctor will fax us a prescription with your diagnosis and their recommendations. Once we receive your referral we will contact you for your initial appointment. Alternatively, your doctor may also give you the prescription and ask you to contact us for an appointment. For physiatry referrals, we do need the referral on hand before booking any appointments.
When you arrive
You will need your Medical Services Plan health card and any third-party funding information you may have.
Your clinician or doctor will do a complete assessment to determine your individual needs and goals. Your clinician will also discuss booking any follow up appointments you may need, and the process of applying for external funding if necessary. Depending on the services you require, you may have a casting and/or fitting for your device done during your initial appointment, or be booked for a secondary appointment.
If your appointment is with our physiatrist, Dr. Lena Galimova, please bring a list of any prescription medication you are taking, as well as supportive footwear.
You can find us in the Fisher Building at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health.
Phone: 250.519.6732
Fax: 250.519.6915
Email: qaopsadmin@islandhealth.ca
