The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

BAPO

by

Online workshop on #advancedpractice

BAPO members have been sent an Invitation to join an online workshop on #advancedpractice

Below is a Letter from Beverley Harden, the AHP Lead for Health Education England

I am writing to announce the launch of an online workshop on multi-professional advanced and consultant practice and to ask you join the discussion.

The workshop will run, initially, for a period of two weeks until Friday 16 November. During that time we are keen to get as many people involved in the discussion so that we can develop a much clearer understanding what is happening across health and care in advanced practice now, but even more importantly, what needs to change. Your views are critical to help Health Education England, NHSE and NHSI and others develop this role, working with employers, healthcare professionals, educators and trainers, professional bodies and regulators.

Participating is easy; simply register at the following site (https://advancedpractice.clevertogether.com) and get thinking! You can observe the discussion, post ideas or comments, or simply press a voting button to express support for an idea already up there. It really is that simple. What’s more it’s anonymous and moderated by our partners, innovation agency, Clever Together.

Please could you share widely across your networks, your communications teams and encourage people to ALSO sign up to https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/advanced-clinical-practice/virtual-reference-group to stay updated after the workshop.

More background information is set out below, but once again, we’d really appreciate your participation so please do get involved.

With best wishes,

Beverley Harden

HEE AHP lead and National Lead for Multi-professional Advanced and Consultant Practice

 

Background

Why is this debate so important? The health and care system in England is evolving rapidly to deliver innovative models of care to meet the developing needs of individuals, families and communities. There is a growing consensus that if high quality patient care is to be sustained in the future, new and emerging roles will need to play a crucial part in the NHS.

One such group is likely to be those working at an advanced level of practice, experienced clinicians* who meet the four pillars of the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England or the ’in development’ Multi-professional framework for consultant practice in England. This online workshop has been designed to enable us to listen to the views of all stakeholders as we in Health Education England seek to play our part in developing the workforce of the future.

The NHS (in England) Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England described the high-level imperative for a new approach to development and assurance for advanced clinical practice. This has been reiterated by many other individuals and organisations, such as the Nuffield Trust in their recent report looking at acute medical care in small hospitals. Advanced practice roles are seen across all areas of care e.g. in diagnostics, mental health, acute care, urgent and emergency care, rehabilitation, primary and community care, cancer, maternity, children’s and young people the list goes on.

But we need to take this further. We know we need to understand better the needs of employers, what the opportunities, risks and issues are for service, as well as any barriers which may exist to the development of these roles, including access to, and assurance of, the right education and training.

 

*In this context ‘experienced clinicians’ refers to all registered healthcare professionals, except registered medical professionals/doctors.

 

Our aims for this online workshop

  • Develop a better and more detailed understanding of the opportunities for advanced clinical practice and especially the needs of patients and how these roles can help NHS and other employers
  • Identify the challenges in developing advanced clinical practice in the workplace and what further assurance is needed in their education, training and supervision
  • Consider whether some form of supporting infrastructure is needed to develop advanced practice further, what its purpose would be and what roles it should undertake

 

How will the debate work?

  • The platform acts as an online workshop, where some broad questions are asked but in which participants lead the debate on what they see as important for advanced practice.
  • Participants’ contributions are anonymised. This ensures a safe space which allows for real conversation and innovation as peers judge ideas on their merit, not their author.
  • We’re seeking your views, experience and evidence. These can be on any topic or issue related to advanced clinical practice.
  • We invite you to rate and comment upon the contributions of your peers, too. This is really helpful in assessing whether issues are isolated, or whether they are reflected across organisations or systems.
  • As with a physical workshop, there may be strongly different views. Please respect the right of those with views differing from your own to express them.
  • This debate is designed for anyone with an interest in advanced practice but especially: patient representative organisations; healthcare professionals; NHS employers; other employing organisations; professional bodies; regulators; and arms-length bodies.
  • This is an independent debate: Clever Together has been asked to complete a thematic analysis to reveal priorities for HEE’s consideration.
  • Colleagues at HEE will report back on how they use the results of this debate to help steer and guide their planning and change programmes.
  • You will be able to see how your voice has been heard and how your inputs have been used, and by who (IT IS NOT A “BLACK HOLE” SURVEY).
  • Finally, although HEE’s remit is England only, we welcome feedback from everyone, we are keen to learn from experience across the UK or internationally.

by

#BAPO2019

#BAPO2019 will this year be held at Harrogate from the 15-17th March

The Annual Poster and Papers Competitions are also back and open for entrants as are entries for the new Charlie McLaughlin Memorial Fund

For more information please see our conference pages

 

by

‘Find your health career’

BAPO has been working with many organisations to improve careers resources and the awareness of P&O as a profession.

One of the new resources available is ‘Find your health career’ This is a new section on the national health careers website with a online quiz to help direct people to possible career options in healthcare and P&O is one of the options!

For more information: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/FindYourCareer

by

#WeAHPs – Student take over

@WeAHPs (https://twitter.com/WeAHPs) is being taken over by AHP students from the 8th of October for one week to highlight the benefits of social media supported by the HCPC guidance. The week will include discussions to help build a supportive network where students can learn and share ideas as well as ask questions to existing students and professionals.

Additionally, the other topics for the week will include: balancing placement and academic work, well-being/self-care, leadership, networking, taking advantage of opportunities and looking at what it means to be an allied health professional – especially important in the run up to AHP’s Day the following Monday (15th October).

 

Our Aims of the week:

  • Increase student’s confidence in using social media in a positive and professional capacity.
  • Build a strong, inclusive and supportive student and professional network.
  • Learn and share ideas together in an easy and accessible manner.

 

Timetable for the week:

Monday

  • Welcome to the ‘WeCommunities’ and @WeAHPs
  • Introduction of the We Community and how to get started with your own ‘MyWe’
  • Who/what are AHPs
  • Importance of AHPs Day
  • Sharing of ‘Day in the life of a…’ videos from students and staff
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘Who are AHPs and what is AHPs Day about’ – Hosted by @SarahBradder

Tuesday

  • Pros and cons of social media
  • Day time Q&A’s – Your opportunity to ask questions
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘HCPC guidance and social media’ – Hosted by @Julie_bolter

Wednesday

  • Managing workload
  • Videos and infographics from the #150Leaders on their experiences of juggling workload and placements
  • Sharing helpful apps, journaling, organising techniques etc.
  • Discuss students’ biggest fears/concerns starting placement/starting assignments etc 

Thursday

  • A day to explore…
    • Introduction to leadership
    • Why network?
    • Do we need to build resilience and if so how?
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘Emotional intelligence and leadership’ – Hosted by @puppyflanagan

Friday

  • Celebration of AHP students’ achievements
  • More about AHPs Day
  • Discussions, videos and tweets about students’ experiences of extra curriculum opportunities
  • Sign-posting to opportunities for students
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘Opportunities available for students: where to find them and how to make the most of them’ – Hosted by @AliBooker_LBU

by

#AHPDay

WHAT:

AHP day is a social movement and an appreciation day for the 14 Allied Health Professions. It is a chance to celebrate and promote the work of AHPs throughout the country

There are 14 AHPs and together they make up the 3rd largest workforce in the NHS. The 14 professions are:

Arts Therapists, Drama Therapists, Dietitians, Music Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Operating Department Practitioners, Orthoptists, Osteopaths, Paramedics, Podiatrists, Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Speech and Language Therapists and of course us Prosthetists & Orthotists

WHEN:

AHP Day will happen on Monday 15th October throughout the UK and can be celebrated by anyone – not just AHPs!

HOW:

You can celebrate and be involved in #AHPday in any way you like and there are many ideas on how to get involved with #AHPday on social media but to get started and to help our members promote P&O BAPO have produced a series of free downloadable publicity documents including posters, bunting and our careers guide. Look at our resources tab under promotional material

We also have a very limited number of “I’m a Prosthetist/Orthotist” T-shirts available to members if you are running a publicity stand or event – please ring the secretariat to register for one before they all run out!

by

I See the Difference Campaign

I See the Difference campaign launches to inspire a new generation of allied health professionals

We are delighted to welcome the launch of the I See the Difference campaign, which will raise awareness of our profession and promote careers in Prosthetics & Orthotics.  The focus of the campaign will be on the connections allied health professionals make with people, and the job satisfaction these connections bring.

 

The campaign has been developed by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists in partnership with the College of Podiatry, the Society and College of Radiographers and the British and Irish Orthoptics Society.

 

At the heart of the campaign is a new digital hub –  www.iseethedifference.co.uk which includes lots of helpful information about our profession, alongside a social media campaign that will be visible on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – follow it via #ISeeTheDifference. The digital campaign will be backed up by outreach activities at schools and careers events around the country.

 

The campaign is part of the Strategic Interventions in Health Education Disciplines (SIHED) programme, a £3m, three-year initiative to help build the sustainability of the Allied Health Professions, with a focus on the four smaller professions of orthoptics, podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics and therapeutic radiography.

 

Campaign materials will be available for members to download and share on their social media feeds, and we’re calling on all members to get involved in the campaign, to shout loud and proud about our great professions and help us to inspire more talented people to choose careers in the Allied Health Professions.

For more information about the SIHED programme, head over to the Office for Students dedicated webpage or contact BAPO.

by

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Awareness Month 2018

Charity calls on Orthotists to help it find the missing 20,000!

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Awareness Month 2018

 

Charcot Marie Tooth UK is A charity that supports people with the little known, genetic, neurological disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is using its September CMT Awareness Month 2018 to raise awareness of the condition and its symptoms among orthotists

Leading neurological expert, Professor Mary Reilly, estimates around 23,000 people in the UK have CMT, which can cause uncontrollable pain, chronic fatigue and deformities in the hands, lower legs and feet, leading to balance problems and falls.  The charity, Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK only knows of 3,000 with the condition and believes that some of the 20,000 remaining are still undiagnosed and suffering in silence – it is asking orthotists to help find them.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth is named after the three scientists who discovered it.  Steadily progressive, it causes muscle weakness and wasting in the lower legs and feet, leading to problems like hammer toes, restricted mobility, and uncontrollable pain.  The hands and fingers are also affected, making tasks needing fine motor skills, such as fastening shoe laces and buttons, very difficult.  Although CMT is not life-threatening, for many, it will impact on and significantly reduce the quality of their lives, with some people even ending up as wheelchair users.

CMT UK’s chief operating officer, Karen Butcher said: “People with undiagnosed CMT may have been referred to an orthotist and we would really like them to be more aware of CMT so patients can get a quicker diagnosis if the GP has missed it.

One of our members was only diagnosed two years ago at the age of 78, having gone through most of her life never knowing why she was always in pain and tripping up and falling; she is only getting the help she needs now, at this late stage.

Orthotists should look out for patients presenting with corns, callouses or hard skin on their feet, which comes about when people have to walk on a different part of their foot due to muscle wastage in the legs.  There could also be a change of shape in the foot such as a high arch or flat foot and hammer or claw toes.  Patients may also mention other classic signs of CMT such as clumsiness, pain, balance problems leading to unsteadiness, trips and falls and chronic fatigue.

These signs don’t necessarily mean the patient has CMT, but it is a good indication and if CMT is suspected, then they should be told to visit their GP who can refer them to a neurologist who is able to undertake a full assessment, including nerve conduction tests, to make a diagnosis.

While CMT is currently incurable, early, accurate diagnosis can improve the lives of those with the condition as it can be managed more effectively, and proper genetic counselling can be received so the risks to the next generation can be learned.

We would also appreciate it if orthotists would refer anyone with CMT to our charity so we can offer advice on how to manage the condition as well as information on benefits, jobs and family issues.

Professor of Clinical Neurology and Consultant Neurologist at UCLH, Mary Reilly, is also Patron of Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK.  She explains: “CMT has many different characteristics, but commonly there is weakening and loss of muscle and reduced sensation, predominantly in the feet and legs, but also in the hands and arms in the advanced stages of disease.  These lead to a range of orthopaedic complications, leading to a variety of mobility and dexterity problems, and sometimes scoliosis.

CMT does not describe a single disorder, but a group of conditions. It is important to determine exactly what kind of CMT someone has, in order to improve their quality of life and this can only be done once a diagnosis is considered in a patient.  Anecdotal evidence from CMT UK tells us this takes much longer than we would like and many people put up with CMT for a long time thinking they are clumsy or have funny feet, suffering in silence when they could be receiving help and support.

As a Professor of Clinical Neurology, whose main clinical and research interest is inherited neuropathies like CMT, I have first-hand experience of how useful and critical the input from Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK is to this patient community. The charity provides an excellent information resource for patients and everyone we see in the clinic is given its details to access its literature, website resources and online discussion forums.”

Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK offers advice on how to manage the condition as well as support with benefits, jobs and family issues.  It says that while CMT is currently incurable, it can be managed effectively, so the right referrals to the right clinicians are crucial to improve the lives of those with the condition and proper genetic counselling should be received so the risks to the next generation can be learned.

CMT Awareness Month is being launched by charity Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK on Saturday 1 September 2018.  Last year, the campaign received an unexpected boost when former Girls Aloud star, Cheryl Tweedy, posted on Instagram about the condition, which affects her friend’s son.

Find out more at www.cmt.org.uk or contact 0300 323 6316

by

NIHR Roadshow

 

NIHR Academy Roadshow
Wednesday 19 September 2018
Cosmopolitan Hotel, Lower Briggate, Leeds
13.00 to 15.00

The new NIHR Fellowships and Academy & The NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centre, supported by the Research Design Service is hosting information events about the new NIHR Academy and the changes to the NIHR Fellowship programme.
This session is for individuals who are planning to apply or thinking of applying for a research fellowship.

There will be presentations from the NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centre about the changes to the programme, and the RDS Yorkshire and the Humber about the support available for potential applicants. The session will include information about:
• Changes to the NIHR Fellowships programme,
• Launch of the NIHR Academy
• Information about the support available to applicants
• Q&A discussion.

The event will take place on Wednesday 19 September 2018 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in central Leeds. Refreshments will be available from 13.00 and the session will run from 13.30 to 15.00. Please register in advance for a place here.
If you have any questions, please contact Rose Cliff r.cliff@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 0828

Applicants flyer September 2018

by

Prosthetic & Orthotic Review – One Year On

In 2015/16 NHS England published the report ‘Improving the Quality of Orthotic Services in England’ this identified several areas of improvement and suggested some work streams to allow the services to improve.  In 2017 Health Education England (HEE) created a response ‘The Future of the Prosthetic & Orthotic Workforce in England’ which outlines their plan for improvement.

One year on from this response HEE in collaboration with BAPO have produced a ‘One year On’ document outlining the work that has been completed and new actions for the years to come.

Please take a look at the documents by clicking the links above and For more information on the project see the HEE website