The Portsmouth Enable 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 44 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.
At the centre, we provide pre-amputation consultations, assessments for an artificial limb, counselling services, rehabilitation following limb loss and lifelong prosthetic care. Clinics are held for both adults and children, who have experienced upper and/or lower limb loss/difference.
We have created this film for you to better understand the amputation process and 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).
Volunteer visitor programme
Before or after amputation, speaking to someone with experience of limb loss can be extremely helpful to provide information and support. The limbless association offer a volunteer visitor programme to link people together with someone who has been through a similar experience. More information can be found here Volunteer Visitors - Limbless Association.
You can request a visit yourself by completing the online form https://
Support is also available for friends and family through the same scheme.
The Portsmouth Enablement Centre also has a user group of people with experience of limb loss/difference who meet socially, support each other and share information. They can be contacted via their Facebook page https://
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.
Research undertaken at De Montford University in Leicester and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, has developed resources for people facing amputation surgery and their families. The resources were created with people with limb loss, charities and health professionals involved in amputation surgery: Patient Resources – preamp.dmu.ac.uk.
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.