The Advancing Healthcare Awards Northern Ireland 2026 are open for entry until Wednesday 10 June at 6pm.

Now in their 7th year, these prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding contribution of allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and the vital support staff working alongside them. All of the 9 categories are open to entrants across Northern Ireland.

Entering is a powerful way to showcase your achievements and shine a spotlight on your impact, innovation, creativity or leadership, helping to highlight the breadth and value of AHP and healthcare science practice across Northern Ireland.

Closing date: Wednesday 10 June

Judging panels (virtual): w/c 14 September       

Ceremony:Thursday 22 October – evening ceremony at La Mon Hotel and Country Club, Belfast

All of the information about the awards can be found on the website www.ahawards.co.uk/ahani2026/

Please see attached an image to help promote the awards. Please tag the AHA LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/advancing-healthcare-awards/  in any posts using #AHANI

The nominees are Nicola McCormack, Andy Walker and Eileen Morrow.  
You can view the information about the nominees below:

Nicola McCormack

Please tell us about your professional background and any specific areas of interest which align with BAPO’s mission, aims, and values.

I have held the position of Head of Prosthetics and Orthotics Services within NHS Lothian, Scotland, since August 2024. In this role, I provide strategic and operational leadership for prosthetic and orthotic service delivery, ensuring high standards of patient care and professional practice. In addition to my NHS role, I am a Clinical Examiner at the University of Strathclyde ensuring consistency and high standards are maintained. I am also a member of the Biomedical Engineering Industrial and Clinical Advisory Group at the University where I am involved in reviewing and providing feedback on plans and progress, offer insights and recommendations, and help identify potential opportunities and challenges.

I also established and currently chair the Prosthetics Managers and Leads Group in Scotland, creating a national forum for collaboration, shared learning, and strategic discussion. Within my full-time role, I am a strong advocate for structured career progression pathways for both clinical and technical Prosthetics and Orthotics staff. This work is aimed at improving staff retention and safeguarding valuable skills, expertise, and institutional knowledge within the profession. I am passionate about promoting Prosthetics and Orthotics as a viable and rewarding career and actively support my teams to participate in career events to raise awareness and inspire future entrants to the field.

What skills and experience will you bring to BAPO’s Executive Committee?

I have worked clinically as an Orthotist for approximately 30 years and bring extensive, broad-based experience gained across all clinical specialities within Orthotics. During this time, I have held a range of roles, including as Clinical Lead for Orthotics for 12 years, where I provided leadership, clinical oversight, and service development.

Since August 2024, I have been working as Head of Prosthetics and Orthotics Services, initially in an interim capacity before being appointed to the role on a permanent basis in May 2025. I have substantial experience managing both clinical and technical Prosthetics and Orthotics services, with a strong focus on service quality, workforce development, and strategic.

I am the Professional Lead for Prosthetics and Orthotics Services within NHS Lothian. In this role, I represent the professional voice at all organisational levels, contributing to strategic discussions and decision-making across NHS Lothian, Integrated Joint Boards, and at a national level.

Why do you want to be elected onto the EC?

I was co opted onto the Executive Committee towards the end of 2025 and have since actively contributed through attendance at two scheduled Executive Committee meetings, as well as an additional urgent meeting where timely decision making was required. Through this role, I have already gained valuable insight into the strategic priorities and operational challenges facing the organisation.
I have been involved in working with centres across the UK and the Limbless Association to help produce Easy Read Patient leaflets, helping to improve accessibility and patient understanding. In my substantive NHS roles, I have developed strong skills in strategic oversight, governance, and assurance, and have significant experience working within complex systems and managing diverse issues. I am comfortable making informed decisions under pressure and balancing competing priorities. As an Executive Committee member, I am keen to continue applying these skills to contribute positively to BAPO’s policy development, strategic direction, and long term sustainability.

Andy Walker

Please tell us about your professional background and any specific areas of interest which align with BAPO’s mission, aims, and values.

I have Been in the Orthotics Trade for 36 years in June and have worked my Way up From Being a Technician Doing Footwear Repairs and Adaptions and Making Footwear and Insoles and Helmets to Being a Footwear and insoles Supervisor then an assistant production manager/Production Manager/Quality Control Manager also Operations Manager and Now Contract Review and Technical Support Manager, I love Working with Orthotists Sharing Best Practices that have Worked over time for Complex Patients to get best outcomes and Making Prescriptions User Friendly for the Technicians Making the devices so the orthotists receive What they where Expecting i also have a good Under standing of Podiatry needs for there devices and Most Orthotic Bespoke Devices From Head to Toe.

What skills and experience will you bring to BAPO’s Executive Committee?

I bring a vast wealth of experience of making the devices as well as Understanding what works and what Doesn’t and Prescribing Trends and What hasn’t worked so Comes back to be Altered or remade and its These practices i want to share because less appointments can save the NHS well needed Money i think a closer working relationship between Orthotists and Technicians is Essential Under standing the information on a Prescription/Spec is Essential too many times i have seen work just put into the Factories and the Correct Understanding of what is wanted or required not Understood.That is why i am a big advocate For Having a skilled Contract Review Worker/Technician At the Very start of the Process to Make sure Things are Understood and made Correct.

Why do you want to be elected onto the EC?

I would like to think i have got a lot to bring to the table in Orthotics i always have and always will believe its not about the device you make its about the way you can change a patients life/Mobility and Mental Well Being i was also always shown if it wouldn’t do for your family and Friends then its not good enough for a patient do it right and take care and pride it what you produce and that goes with every job i do i like to give 110 percent and leave no stone unturned to get the best outcome.

Eileen Morrow

Please tell us about your professional background and any specific areas of interest which align with BAPO’s mission, aims, and values.

I am a clinical academic orthotist. I am currently completing an NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship at the University of Oxford. My clinical background spans paediatric and adult orthopaedics, neurological rehabilitation and gat laboratory. Alongside this, my research focuses on improving outcomes in children’s orthopaedic surgery, currently through developing a core outcome set to ensure research measures what actually matters to patients.

My main areas of interest align closely with BAPO’s aims around advancing the profession through research, evidence-based practice and policy. I am particularly interested in strengthening research culture within prosthetics and orthotics, improving the quality and consistency of evidence and ensuring that our profession has a clear and credible voice in national policy discussions. I am also passionate about supporting clinicians to engage in research in a way that feels achievable and relevant to practice.

What skills and experience will you bring to BAPO’s Executive Committee?

I bring a combination of clinical, research and policy experience, along with a good understanding of how these areas connect in practice. Through my doctoral work, I have developed strong skills in evidence synthesis and research methodology, which I have already applied to support colleagues and contribute to national work. As previous BAPO Research Committee Chair, I have experience of working at a national level, coordinating input from clinicians, academics and external partners and representing the profession in discussions around research priorities and workforce challenges.

I am used to working across different groups with different perspectives, whether that’s patients, clinicians, researchers or policymakers, and helping to find common ground. I am also comfortable communicating complex ideas in a way that is practical and accessible. Alongside this, I have experience of supporting others to engage in research, reviewing grant applications, contributing to guideline development and policy responses.

Why do you want to be elected onto the EC?

I have found my previous involvement with BAPO to be rewarding, and I would like to continue contributing at a wider level. I think BAPO plays a really important role in shaping the future of the profession, particularly at a time where there is increasing focus on workforce, and how allied health professions contribute to wider health policy.

From my own experience, I have seen how easily prosthetics and orthotics can be overlooked in national conversations, despite the impact we have on patient outcomes. I am motivated to help ensure that the profession is well represented, we are contributing to policy in a meaningful way and that we continue to strengthen our research culture.

I would also like to support BAPO in making research and evidence more accessible to clinicians, so that engagement doesn’t feel like something “extra” but becomes part of everyday practice. I think I can bring practical experience and a willingness to contribute to the work of the Executive Committee.

Voting closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday 6th May 2026

The results of the vote will be shared at the BAPO AGM on Wednesday 13th May 2026

If you have not already registered to attend you can complete the BAPO AGM Registration Form.

We hope to see as many BAPO members at the AGM as possible.  BAPO is your organisation, and we look forward to some interesting discussions on the night.

Please note: Full members can only vote for full members, and associates can only vote for associates – sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of the standing orders.