BAPO Teatime Talk – Protecting Diabetic Feet: The latest research
Archives for March 2025
Job Advert – Livewell Southwest – Prosthetic Clinical Lead/Prosthetist, Plymouth
Advertise Your Job Vacancies with BAPO
Connect Directly with the UK’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Professionals
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) offers a dedicated job advertisement distribution service designed to help organisations reach a highly targeted audience of prosthetic and orthotic professionals. Whether you’re looking to recruit clinical staff, technicians, support workers, or reach prospective graduates, BAPO provides an effective and respected platform to promote your vacancies.
Through our streamlined email-based system, job advertisements are circulated directly to the relevant groups within our membership—either Registered Members (Prosthetists and Orthotists) or Associate Members (Technicians, Support Workers, and Learners). This direct-to-inbox approach ensures that your job opportunity reaches individuals who are active in the profession and already engaged with the BAPO community.
Why Advertise with BAPO?
BAPO is the UK’s recognised professional body for prosthetists and orthotists, with a membership comprising the most experienced and qualified practitioners in the field. Advertising with us allows you to:
- Reach a highly specialised audience of professionals with relevant skills and qualifications.
- Gain credibility and visibility by advertising through a trusted professional association.
- Streamline your recruitment efforts by targeting individuals who are actively involved in and committed to the profession.
- Ensure timely exposure through prompt email circulation managed by the BAPO Secretariat.
This service is ideal for NHS Trusts and Health Boards, private providers, universities, manufacturers, and third-sector organisations seeking to attract top-tier talent in prosthetics and orthotics.
Cost and Accessibility
- Free of charge for UK-based organisations
- £320 for organisations based outside the UK
This makes BAPO’s job advertisement service one of the most cost-effective and high-impact recruitment tools available within the sector.
How to Submit a Vacancy
To advertise a vacancy, please refer to the booking form and submission guidelines provided. Once submitted, your advert will be reviewed and distributed to the relevant membership groups by the BAPO Secretariat.
Get Your Vacancy in Front of the Right People
Whether you’re filling a permanent role, a fixed-term contract, or a specialist position, advertising through BAPO ensures that your vacancy reaches those who are most likely to apply—qualified, engaged, and ready to contribute to the future of the profession.
Advancing Healthcare 2025 – Shortlist
BAPO is proud to sponsor an award dedicated to celebrating impact and excellence in prosthetics and orthotics at the 2025 UK Advancing Healthcare Awards. This year’s shortlisted nominations have been announced.
BAPO is pleased to share the shortlist of the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2025. Dr Nicky Eddison, BAPO Chair has shared thoughts on the nominees.
Many congratulations to Nikki, Laura, and Eileen for being shortlisted for the BAPO sponsored AHA award. Three fabulous role models for our profession. I am delighted the impact they have had has been recognised. I am looking forward to celebrating with them on May 23rd.
Dr Nicky Eddison,
BAPO Chair
We are very proud to sponsor this award and to shine a light on the prosthetics and orthotics profession. It’s wonderful to see the achievements of Eileen, Laura and Nikki being recognised and celebrated so huge congratulations to them all.
Sue Irving,
Chief Executive Officer
The Shortlist
Eileen Morrow
Improving the prescription of dynamic contracture bracing
I am honoured to be shortlisted for the 2025 Advancing Healthcare Award in the BAPO category for Evidencing Impact and Excellence in Prosthetics and Orthotics. I am also proud to be nominated alongside Laura Barr and Nikki Munro, whose projects are advancing our profession and delivering meaningful benefits to patients, orthotists, and the wider NHS.
Over the past four years, I have led a service evaluation at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to understand which patients receive dynamic contracture bracing, and who benefits from it. I found that orthotists and referrers were uncertain when to prescribe these braces, and that orthotists were fitting the braces inconsistently. Some orthotists advised wearing them for a vague “few hours a day” or overnight, and orthotists set the brace up with different stretch settings. This variation meant patients received mixed messages, making it harder to use the braces effectively.
To address this, I worked with my team to review existing research, create a clear and consistent wear protocol, and assess its impact. We introduced a standard guideline recommending one hour of wear per day with a defined level of stretch. Our findings showed that this approach was equally as effective. We also discovered that only 20% of patients prescribed with a dynamic contracture brace saw an improvement in their contracture, but were unable to predict these patients using routinely collected clinical data. This highlights the need for further research to better understand who benefits from bracing.
This project was achieved with no additional funding, relying on strong collaboration and creative resource use. By embedding the evaluation within routine clinical practice, the entire team remained engaged in data collection over four years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Service users played a key role in shaping patient information and selecting outcome measures, ensuring that the project remained patient-centred and clinically relevant.
Over the past four years, I have led a service evaluation at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to understand which patients receive dynamic contracture bracing, and who benefits from it. I found that orthotists and referrers were uncertain when to prescribe these braces, and that orthotists were fitting the braces inconsistently. Some orthotists advised wearing them for a vague “few hours a day” or overnight, and orthotists set the brace up with different stretch settings. This variation meant patients received mixed messages, making it harder to use the braces effectively.
To address this, I worked with my team to review existing research, create a clear and consistent wear protocol, and assess its impact. We introduced a standard guideline recommending one hour of wear per day with a defined level of stretch. Our findings showed that this approach was equally as effective. We also discovered that only 20% of patients prescribed with a dynamic contracture brace saw an improvement in their contracture, but were unable to predict these patients using routinely collected clinical data. This highlights the need for further research to better understand who benefits from bracing.
This project was achieved with no additional funding, relying on strong collaboration and creative resource use. By embedding the evaluation within routine clinical practice, the entire team remained engaged in data collection over four years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Service users played a key role in shaping patient information and selecting outcome measures, ensuring that the project remained patient-centred and clinically relevant.
Laura Barr
The Orthotics Evidence Portal: enhancing evidence-based practice in the UK orthotic profession
Bio: Laura graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2007 and works as an Advanced Practitioner within the Orthotic and Orthopaedic services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Project description: The Orthotics Evidence Portal, formerly known as DEBOP, is a unique resource designed to facilitate access to the evidence-base regarding the orthotic treatment of patients with musculoskeletal pathology or diabetic foot conditions. The Portal is the product of a 10 year effort by a group of orthotists in the UK who want to improve access to the orthotic evidence-base. Since 2014, it has enhanced evidence-based practice in the UK orthotic profession, by improving accessibility to clinically-relevant publications in order to assist clinical decision-making.
Project description: The Orthotics Evidence Portal, formerly known as DEBOP, is a unique resource designed to facilitate access to the evidence-base regarding the orthotic treatment of patients with musculoskeletal pathology or diabetic foot conditions. The Portal is the product of a 10 year effort by a group of orthotists in the UK who want to improve access to the orthotic evidence-base. Since 2014, it has enhanced evidence-based practice in the UK orthotic profession, by improving accessibility to clinically-relevant publications in order to assist clinical decision-making.
Nikki Munro
Trailblazing Leadership in Orthotics, Advancing Patient Care, Staff Development, and Service Sustainability
Nikki Munro graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 1993 with a BSc Hons in Prosthetics and Orthotics and has worked as an Orthotist since graduation. She has worked in both the contracted and NHS sectors and has carried out a number of projects and secondments during her career. As an Advanced Specialist Orthotist she led in the specialist areas of Adult Neurology and Diabetes. She is currently Clinical Lead and Service manager for Orthotics in NHSGGC. She is also Professional lead for Orthotics within NHSGGC and lead for Quality Improvement for all AHPs in NHSGGC and holds a Scottish Improvement Lead qualification. She is Chair of the Scottish Clinical Orthotic Leads Group.
Nikki’s summary statement for her nomination:
Nikki has been a pioneering leader in Orthotics at NHS Greater Glasgow &Clyde (GGC) since 2016. She has developed some of
the UK’s first Advanced Practice roles for Orthotists, revolutionised patient care through ACRT (advanced clinical referral
triage), and championed staff development, creating lasting impact on both services and patients.
Nikki’s summary statement for her nomination:
Nikki has been a pioneering leader in Orthotics at NHS Greater Glasgow &Clyde (GGC) since 2016. She has developed some of
the UK’s first Advanced Practice roles for Orthotists, revolutionised patient care through ACRT (advanced clinical referral
triage), and championed staff development, creating lasting impact on both services and patients.
Job Advert – Clinical Lead Prosthetics NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Sidas UK – Podiatech Lab E-shot 2025
BAPO’s Response to the Government’s Plans to Abolish NHS England
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) acknowledges the government’s recent announcement regarding the abolition of NHS England. While we recognise the need for strategic reform within the healthcare system, it is essential that this transition does not overshadow the importance of supporting smaller yet vital allied health professions, including the prosthetic and orthotic workforce. Ensuring the continued expansion and development of these professions across the NHS must remain a priority.
Alongside other professional bodies, BAPO is deeply concerned about the lack of clarity and engagement with affected staff throughout this decision-making process. We strongly advocate for a transparent and collaborative approach, ensuring that any restructuring of the NHS is undertaken in meaningful partnership with professional organisations representing the healthcare workforce.
The NHS’s ability to address its growing challenges depends on sustained investment in the clinical workforce. NHS England has played a crucial role in funding initiatives that support the growth and development of the prosthetic and orthotic workforce, helping to meet the increasing demand for these essential services. It is imperative that this collaborative approach continues, drawing on the expertise of those who understand the allied health landscape to effectively tackle workforce shortages and retention challenges.
Additionally, BAPO urges the government to consider the impact of this reorganisation on the level of care and funding for prosthetic and orthotic services and patients. The removal of NHS England puts some centrally funded prosthetic and orthotic technology at risk. We call on the government to ensure that any changes do not disrupt service user care.
As these structural changes unfold, minimising disruption and maintaining continuity in workforce development and patient care must remain a top priority. BAPO remains committed to advocating for our profession and ensuring that those who rely on our services continue to receive the highest standard of care
Job Advert – Buchanan Orthotics – Orthotist – NHS Borders
BSR (British Society for Rheumatology) launches its first foot health guideline
The new national clinical guideline in foot health has now been published.
Full guideline:
https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keaf071
Exec summary:
https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/advance-article/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keaf072/8083042
The BSR have shared some resources around the guideline below:
There is a news article on our the BSR website.
A new podcast episode has gone live in Talking Rheumatology, available here.
A video version is also available on THE BSR YouTube channel.
They are also sharing across social media on X/LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram so please look out for posts and reshare if you can.
Links are all on our Guidelines homepage as well.