The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

Education

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Limb Power Online Fitness

LimbPower is proud to announce that it is running online ‘Adaptive Fitness Fun’ sessions twice a week for children with limb difference. These workout sessions are being run by LimbPower Ambassador Jack Eyers, not only an elite athlete and personal trainer, but also the first amputee to win Mr England.

The sessions take place every Tuesday and Thursday morning at part of the #StayInWorkOut campaign by Sport England to keep England Active. Jack’s sessions will focus on fundamental movement skills, agility, balance, co-ordination and cardio for children; adults can join in too!

Kiera Roche, Chief Executive Officer of LimbPower, says: “The mental and physical health of our children is paramount, particularly during lockdown. Jack’s sessions will help children to get moving, improve their fitness and remain positive during these challenging times. As a parent myself, I know providing this structure twice a week will make a huge difference to children and their families.”

Jack, who is currently training for the Tokyo Paralympic Games selection, is making each session different, focusing some on cardio and others on movement, co-ordination and balance. He explains: “These workouts will help children stay healthy and keep fit. I am passionate about making each session fun and accessible for all, so I look forward to seeing you each Tuesday and Thursday!”

Each work out is 20+ minutes and Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4 and Session 5 are already available on LimbPower’s YouTube Channel

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COVID-19 Psychological First Aid

PHE have launched an updated Psychological First Aid (PFA) digital training module, aimed at all frontline and essential workers and volunteers.

The course aims to increase awareness and confidence to provide psychosocial support to people affected by COVID-19.  PFA is a globally recognised training in emergency situations and we have developed this new course as part of our national incident response, and in partnership with NHS England, Health Education England, FutureLearn and E-Learning for Health.

The course is free, and no previous qualifications are required. It takes around 90 minutes to complete and is also available in three sessions for the learner to complete at their own pace. By the end of the course, outcomes will include: understanding how emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect us, recognising people who may be at increased risk of distress and understanding how to offer practical and emotional support.

To register click: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-first-aid-covid-19/1

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Dementia Webinars

The AHP Dementia Webinar Team have worked on some new webinars on supporting patients. The following is a message from them including links to register for the webinars

Let’s stay connected: Allied Health Professionals using digital technology to stay connected with people living with dementia or supporting a person with dementia

In these times of change we have all had to adapt to how we stay connected to each other and those we support. Our series of webinars by allied health professionals during dementia awareness week in Scotland, will provide an overview of how we CAN support you if you are living with dementia or supporting a person with dementia. There will be an opportunity to ask questions throughout and during the Q and A section of the webinar. Everyone is welcome to join us

 

Please register for our first webinar of the week called :

Enhancing lives through technology –  AHP Dementia Webinar Series on June 1st, 2020 3:30 PM at:

 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2873201311764537870

Register for our second webinar called :

Connecting People, Connecting Support Online – AHP Dementia Webinar on June 2nd, 2020 3:30 PM at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3784036744214367758

 

Please register for our third webinar called:

Staying physically active during Covid – AHP Dementia Webinar on June 3rd, 2020 3:30 PM at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/39188101091162382

 

Please register for our final webinar  called:

Supporting people to eat and drink well with dementia – AHP Dementia Webinar on June 5th, 2020 3:30 PM at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/963319927655393038

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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BAPO Guidelines for Virtual Patient Assessment

In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the challenges it has caused to normal practice, a working group was formed to assist our clinicians in providing a virtual service.

This group has worked incredibly hard in a very short timescale to produce some new guidance for the profession and we would like to thank them all for their work.

The attached guidelines have been created to allow Orthotists to pro-actively rise to the challenges faced in the current climate and enable Orthotists to still treat non-urgent patients without the need for face-to-face consultations in a standard orthotic clinic

You can find these guidelines here BAPO Guidelines for Virtual Patient Assessment or in the education resource section of the website

If you have any feedback or questions relating to these guidelines please email enquiries@bapo.com

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Naidex

Further to its announcement of postponement last week, the organiser of leading independent living show Naidex, is pleased to be able to announce the new dates of 9th and 10th November 2020. The event will take place at the same venue the NEC Birmingham and all tickets remain valid.

This includes all events co-located with Naidex including Smart Home for Assisted Living, Dementia, Care & Nursing Home, Home Care Expo, Care Tech Live, European Neuro Convention, Medical Imaging Convention, European Oncology Convention and AI&ML Convention.

Like many large event organisers, this has been a complex situation and difficult for everyone involved. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our exhibitors, speakers and partners for their messages of support.

We very much look forward to welcoming you all later in the year.

The Naidex Team

Enquiries@ROARB2B.com or +44 (0) 117 990 2093.

For more information or for tickets click here

 

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COVID-19

Linda Hindle – Chief AHP has released the following statement about COVID -19

Hi Everyone

As you are all aware updates in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are changing rapidly as the spread of the virus develops.  We are constantly updating and adding to the guidance and resources available on the Government web site.  I have outlined below the main pieces of information you may require, I would be grateful if you could promote this to your members.

Information for health and care professionals is collated on this web page – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/wuhan-novel-coronavirus

Guidance for first responders and others who may have close contact with symptomatic people with potential Covid-19 infection. This can be found here  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-interim-guidance-for-first-responders

 Public facing resources PHE campaign resource centre

Guidance for non-clinical settings https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-guidance-for-non-clinical-settings-and-the-public

Guidance for social care, community care and residential home settings https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-social-or-community-care-and-residential-settings-on-covid-19

The above pages will also link to other pages which may be helpful to some colleagues e.g. relating to education settings, employers and businesses, transport

Best wishes

Linda Hindle
Deputy Chief AHP Officer for England
PHE Lead Allied Health Professional and National Engagement Lead for Public health in Police, Fire and Ambulance Services
Public Health England,

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Scottish AHPs – TURAS

Allied Health Professional (AHP) Professional Portfolio

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) have now launched the AHP Professional Portfolio on the TURAS platform.

The AHP Professional Portfolio is an online resource for AHPs to record and store their evidence for continuing professional development (CPD).  The tool has some fantastic templates for recording reflective practice, feedback and support and supervision.  It is designed to help you develop a portfolio of evidence to support appraisal, planning career development and HCPC audit.

The tool is for all AHPs in Scotland, including the NHS, Social Care, Education, Voluntary and Independent Sectors.

 

Features of the AHP Professional Portfolio:

Personal Profile
Record information about your professional, employment, career, development and achievements.
Your professional profile can be used for a number of purposes

  • to keep your profile up to date and in one place
  • to help develop a CV
  • to have information ready to help complete an application form
  • to demonstrate your achievements to your manager or supervisor
  • to review your profile to identify gaps in your development or areas of interest
  • to help you consider your career aspirations and plan your professional journey

Evidence
This section allows you to keep an unlimited record of all your CPD activities in chronological order, there are also templates for reflective practice and support and supervision and a tool to receive feedback.

Uploaded Documents
A great space to store any supporting documents, photographs, audio files etc which support your CPD activities

Share Packs
An innovative feature is the Share Pack function which allows you to collate and share your evidence from all parts of your portfolio with others using a web link.
Share Packs can be used to:

  • Share evidence in support of your personal development plan (PDP)
  • Share evidence with your lecturer, educator or supervisor to show how you have made progress towards or met the requirements of an educational course
  • Create a CV to assist when you apply for a new role or job or to review your own career

Share Packs are best viewed online to enable any uploaded documents to be easily viewed.

 

You can register for free, if you do not already have a TURAS account, go to https://turasnmportfolio.nes.nhs.scot/

 

For those who already have a TURAS log in you can add the AHP Professional Portfolio application by clicking on the ‘add application’ link on the TURAS Dashboard page and choosing Professional Portfolio

https://turasdashboard.nes.nhs.scot/

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Apprentiship Roadshow

Information Events:

Making AHP Apprenticeships happen

What to expect

  • Learn how apprenticeships are being implemented across the Allied Health Professions
  • Update on national procurement of training providers
  • Opportunity to work across the system to support the implementation of apprenticeships
  • Learn how to use apprenticeships to grow your own workforce

 

When, where and HOW

·        York, Double Tree by Hilton 28th January 2020

Email claire.farrelly@hee.nhs.uk

·        Birmingham, The Cube 6th February 2020

Email natasha.pisarski@heartofengland.nhs.uk

·        Taunton Rugby Club Thursday 27th February 2020

Email  Alexander.Websdale@hee.nhs.uk

·        Cambridge, Hilton City Centre 4th March 2020

Email  natasha.pisarski@heartofengland.nhs.uk

·        London,  De Vere West One, 9-10 Portland Place 10th March 2020

Email Devon.Puttick@hee.nhs.uk

 

ALL AHPS* WELCOME AND PLEASE BRING A LOCAL LEAD ON EDUCATION OR APPRENTICESHIPS

*AHPs | Allied Health Professions are: art therapists, dramatherapists, music therapists, chiropodists/podiatrists, dietitians, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, osteopaths, prosthetists and orthotists, paramedics, physiotherapists, diagnostic radiographers, therapeutic radiographers, speech and language therapists

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#AllourHealth Student Week

#AllOurHealth are running a FAB new student week from the 20th-25th Jan

#AllOurHealth focuss on preventing illness, protecting health, and promoting wellbeing and how it applies to all of our roles. Our collective efforts of increasing our focus on these evidence based interventions really do make a huge difference in prevention illness, reducing premature death and reducing unacceptable health inequalities.

Public Health England’s (PHE) All Our Health framework is a call to action to all health and care professionals to embed prevention within their day to day practice. The All Our Health educational materials, tools and resources that have been developed to help health and care professionals make huge impacts in preventing illness, protecting health and promoting wellbeing.  The free and open access WeLearn #AllOurHealth Virtual Student event is a WeCommunities and PHE collaboration that uses social media to engage students about the All Our Health Framework and how it is relevant to their role

 To find out more about the student event, and about the wider programme of activity that is open to all health and care professionals (both qualified and students) click HERE > http://www.wecommunities.org/blogs/3526

And to register to take part in the WeLearn #AllOurHealth Virtual Student Event click HERE > http://www.wecommunities.org/blogs/3520

(Registration does require a Twitter account, you can find out how to sign up to Twitter HERE and how you can use this for CPD)

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SIHED Update

This is the January 2020 SIHED Update
GP surgery waiting rooms’ poster update

The I See The Difference (ISTD) campaign has 500 A3 posters entitled ‘Looking for a career that will make a difference?’ and 100,000 leaflets distributed in selected areas in national GP surgery waiting rooms. The campaign started in November 2019 and will continue until the end of February. So far (data received 20/12/19) we’ve had 4000 leaflets picked up by the public and expect awareness of AHPs to reach 5 million patients during this time. Here are some examples of feedback we have received so far from patients…

 

‘I think it’s a really interesting career idea’

‘Great timing as I am looking at podiatry’

‘Very good idea. I asked my doctor about it as I need a career change’

‘I will look at their website to find out more about it’

‘I questioned my doctor about it and researched it’

 

Did you see ISTD in The Times and The Guardian? 

Recently (in the run up to the UCAS deadline in January) we’ve been pushing our campaign further to increase our reach. Below are some examples of our campaign raising awareness of AHP careers in the Guardian (a digital banner ad) and The Times (an advertorial in print).

Health professionals are creative too!

CUREate is an Office for Students funded project that seeks to raise awareness of the health professions amongst those with creative backgrounds and encourage entry into university-level study.

Recently launched, CUREate seeks to prompt conversations about what the health and creative disciplines have in common. This is to challenge established notions about entry routes into health, both at an institutional and personal level, and encourage entry at a time of transformation.

The Cureate project has received funding from the Office for Students, SIHED (Strategic Interventions in Health Education Disciplines) programme’s Challenge Fund. This funding is to support existing or prospective providers of nursing, midwifery and allied health courses for innovative projects that would support the recruitment or delivery of these subjects.

Visit Cureate website 

Let’s recap…

The I See The Difference digital campaign attracted over 100,000 users to the website last year (from July 2019 onwards).

This year we will continue to build on this, with face to face events, our outreach efforts and by providing webinars to career advisors. As we start to think about the legacy of the project, we are keen to hear ideas for future use of resources, as well as digital content – can you help?

Let us know if you can help

Emily and Chris join the team

We’re pleased to welcome our new Outreach Officers, Emily and Chris, replacing Charlotte and Ali who were promoted into their new roles. Chris will be focusing his efforts on recruitment for Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics across England. Emily is based at Sheffield University helping to raise awareness of Orthoptics across England.

Nursing students to receive £5000 payment a year

Before Christmas it was announced all nursing students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. The funding will be given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing, midwifery and many allied health students from September 2020. It is expected to benefit more than 35,000 students every year. This is great news for students hoping to enrol onto AHP courses. The I See The Difference funding page will be going through some changes to reflect this news and provide more information about funding options.

Find out more