PARENTS of disabled children are calling for improvements to a vital NHS service.

They claim their children are suffering because of a short-staffed and under-funded orthotics service at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

The service provides aids and equipment, such as splints and shoes, to patients with certain physical disabilities.

But parents say they face long delays waiting for orthotic devices to be fitted, which can leave their children unable to walk or enjoy a normal life.

Now parents have formed the North Staffs Orthotics Campaign to improve the service.

Rebecca Loo's 10-year-old son David has suffered from hemiplegia, which paralyses one side of the body, since birth, and he has an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) to enable him to walk properly. But last year he underwent two-and-a-half months of serial casting to remodel his foot, and then had to wait 17 weeks for an AFO which meant he had to repeat the process.

Mrs Loo, of Howard Place, Westlands, said: "David has had an AFO since he was 18 months old. It stops deformities and prevents his foot from turning over when he walks.

"Last summer David didn't have an AFO, and it ruined our holiday. He couldn't get around, so we had to carry him.

"We can never get the orthotic devices quick enough.

"We want the campaign to let the hospital know what they're doing wrong and what they're doing right."

Cub scout David, who attends Friarswood Primary School in Newcastle, says he hates waiting to have a new AFO fitted.

He said: "I play basketball and football when I have my splint. When I don't have one I feel sad, because I can't really do anything I want to do."

Gary Lawton, whose son Conor, aged 10, has the same condition, is part of the campaign.

Conor plays for Aston Villa Marvels cerebral palsy team when he has an AFO.

But last year, after breaking his AFO, Conor had to wait more than three months for a new one.

Gary, aged 42, of Birches Head, said: "After three months we were told the AFO was on the shelf, but we had to wait another two weeks for an appointment.

"Conor was in pain. His foot turned over when he walked, and he gets bad back pain."

The hospital has about 4,600 orthotics appointments a year and a senior official has already met the campaign leaders.

A hospital spokesman said: "The service did experience some minor difficulties towards the end of last year due to unavoidable staffing circumstances.

"These, coupled with the current national shortage of orthotists, meant a small number of patients experienced a delay.

"We apologise for this temporary delay and assure patients all possible measures have been taken to restore the service."

To join the campaign group, email info@nsoc.org.uk