To celebrate allied health professions (AHP) day we are looking at staff across the region

Tom Tristram is an apprentice for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

What is your role?

I work as a Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician Apprentice for OPCARE LTD for Cambridge University Hospitals. We are a centre based in Great Shelford just outside Cambridge following the department’s recent move away from the main hospital site.

I have been an apprentice for three years. The first two years of my apprenticeship I was on a mechanical engineering course at Long Bridge College in Birmingham. After completing my second year I was offered a new opportunity to join a more job role specific course at Derby University. This has enabled me to gain more knowledge and widen my skill set specifically within prosthetics and orthotics making me a better technician.

What does that mean?

In my role I manufacture and repair prosthetic limbs with tasks varying depending on the individual needs of the patient. I also repair orthotic braces like spinal jackets and ankle foot orthosis.

What are your plans for the future?

In the long term I have ambitions to further my career in prosthetics and orthotics hopefully to complete another apprenticeship and become a Health and Care Professions Council registered Prosthetist/Orthotist.

Find out about prosthetist/orthotist roles.