Professional Affairs Committee

Nicky has been working as an NHS orthotist since 2007, she is currently a Consultant orthotist and service manager at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, she is also a AHP Research Lead and Associate Professor at the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, Staffordshire University, with a keen interest in research. Nicky has published work in several internationally peer reviewed journals and completed her PhD in 2018.

Paul is a full time practising Orthotist. He also sits on the Research Committee and Executive Committee.

Danielle Whittaker is a Student Prosthetist/Orthotist studying at the University of Salford. She has a specialist interest in Paediatric Orthotics and hopes to pursue this in her career. She is enjoying being part of BAPO’s Professional Affairs Committee and it helps her to understand the impact that BAPO can have.

Salma is a clinical orthotist graduating from The University of Salford in 2018. Since then she started working at New Cross Orthotics Department in Wolverhampton where she has a keen interest in diabetic foot health. She has sat on the Professional Affairs Committee since 2021.

Carolyn is a Clinical Orthotist and service manager at Dorset County Hospital, specialising in diabetes and the diabetic foot. She also has a special interest in Public Health and Health Inequalities, sitting on Public Health England AHP Steering Board and locally is Chair of the Dorset ICS AHP Public Health Strategy Group.

Claudia is a P&O student at the University of Strathclyde. She enjoys the connection engineering has with healthcare and hopes that her love for innovation and the healthcare sector can make a positive impact on those around her and those who need it most.

Florence graduated from the University of Salford and started her career as an Orthotist for Taycare Medical. Here, she worked in Derbyshire where she linked closely with the diabetic foot team and built a foundation in diabetic foot care. Her next role was for Sherwood Forest Hospitals where she ran a neuro-paediatric clinic alongside her general outpatient and acute practice.  

Florence is passionate about empowering patients to independently manage their long-term health and mobility and minimise dependence on health services. This passion has recently led Florence to work towards an MSc in Physiotherapy, and she hopes to use her skills in both disciplines to achieve this.

Katie graduated from Salford in 2014 and worked as an orthotist at Trulife after graduating in and around central London. She then spent time at Guys’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation trust as a senior orthotist and part-time in therapies directorate in a strategic role supporting AHP education. She graduated with an MSc in healthcare management from Anglia Ruskin University before taking the clinical lead role at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Her key area of interest is orthotic service design. 

Dawn Crofts graduated from the University of Salford in 1999 with a degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She started her career as a Prosthetist in the West Midlands and developed her career to become the Prosthetic Manager at Wrexham Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre. Dawn worked in private practice for several years and had the opportunity to fit some of the most advanced prosthetic componentry available. She has an interest in writing expert witness reports and is currently studying for an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. Dawn is based in the West Midlands and works for Blatchford Ltd as the National Clinical Lead for Prosthetics.

I qualified in Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Salford in 2004.

I have worked as an Orthotist for NHS trusts and private companies seeing patients in the public and private sectors.

I gained my Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Advanced Psychotherapy in 2013.

I have found the skills gained from these qualifications helped me to improve my connections and treatments with clients and team members in the professional setting by linking psychological knowledge with clinical skills.

My interests lie within Orthotics and the impact of AHP’s within the healthcare setting in addition to health psychology and public health.

I am proud to be a member of the P+O community. I have been the Mental Health and Wellbeing lead for BAPO since 2020 and I am passionate about this opportunity to contribute to sustaining the P+O workforce.

Steven graduated in 2017 from the University of Salford with a first class honours in Prosthetics and Orthotics. He has worked at many hospitals across England including GOSH, NHNN and UCLH. From 2018 he has been conducting adult and paediatric clinics across Lincolnshire, including a joint paediatric clinic alongside orthopaedic consultants. Steven is passionate about education and is a placement supervisor. He has presented at the Lincolnshire Cerebral Palsy conference. In 2021, Steven was awarded Orthotist of the year and is a member of the BAPO marketing committee. His interests outside of work include football, golf and snowboarding.