The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics

News

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Phase 2 of the Supervision Hub on the Gwella HEIW (Health Education and Improvement Wales) Leadership Portalis now live!

Building on the foundations of Phase 1, this updated version provides an improved, more intuitive experience and expanded content to further support high‑quality supervision across health and social care in Wales. These enhancements are informed by user feedback and continue to be aligned with the principles of the A‑EQUIP model, supporting professional development, wellbeing, compassionate leadership, and improved service outcomes.

Key improvements include:

  • A redesigned and more accessible layout
    – making navigation simpler for all
  • Updated guidance, tools, and resources 
    – to better support supervision in practice
  • Expanded profession‑specific information
    – with clearer signposting relevant to different roles and regulatory requirements
  • A more streamlined structure 
    – that helps users quickly find content relevant
  • Improved links to national policies, standards and good practice
    – strengthening shared understanding across the workforce.

We would like to encourage you to explore the new and improved site and make use of the resources available. You can access the profession‑specific information here: 
https://nhswalesleadershipportal.heiw.wales/supervision/role
or to learn more about our work visit:
Supervision Hub for health and social care professionals: Phase 2 – HEIW

We will continue to expand this content further and so feedback remains extremely important. If BAPO members have any comments or suggestions, please share them via our feedback form linked on the site.

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BAPO Tech and Trends Webinar – EDSER -From Scan to Solution: Mastering the Digital O&P Fabrication Workflow

Over the past decade, we’ve seen a major shift from plaster-based workflows to digital fabrication.
The promise of a faster turnaround, better reproducibility, and improved patient experience is the usual hook, but in reality, many clinics discover that digital fabrication introduces new complexities, not fewer. Digital doesn’t automatically mean simple – it means different
This webinar’s goal is simple: to walk through the entire digital fabrication workflow, step by step, and openly discuss what works well, what commonly goes wrong, and how those challenges can be mitigated.
We’ll also talk about why many clinics choose to work with a central manufacturing partner that can support them in the transition to a digital fabrication workflow.

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UK clinicians invitation – Research Study

Are you an Orthotist involved in managing medial knee osteoarthritis?

We would like to invite you to take part in a research study conducted by the University of Stirling exploring how isolated and/or medial dominant medial knee osteoarthritis is currently managed by healthcare professionals in the UK.

Participation involves completing an anonymous online survey which will take approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you may optionally provide your contact details if you are willing to take part in a follow-up interview.

Participation is entirely voluntary. The study is being conducted by the University of Stirling and is not affiliated with the NHS, and participation or non-participation will have no impact on your professional role.

For further information or to take part, please follow the link below or contact the researcher directly: francesca.muratore@stir.ac.uk

Exploring clinicians’ experiences and perceptions of managing isolated and/or dominant medial knee osteoarthritis

Thank you for considering taking part.

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AHPQI awards nominations are open!

These awards are a way of celebrating and showcasing the quality improvement work of all AHPs, registered and support workforce, learners, and educators, across all sectors in the United Kingdom.

Nominations are open to anyone in the AHP family; our academic education partners, learners doing projects or dissertations as part of their education, support workers and registered staff who undertake projects relating to clinical services or professional activities.

🌳 TREE indicates the nomination categories available, and its branches represent our themes that include; people, spread and adoption/adaption, co-production, impact, and outcome:

T: Transfer of knowledge, experience or learning to someone else

Nominate an individual or team who have shared their knowledge, experience, and learning to help others progress their QI skills. This could be a QI champion or ambassador.

R: Reuse, spot a great QI idea, adapt and implement it in your area

Nominations for this category are for projects that delivered an improvement and change, adopted and adapted for excellence from an original innovation elsewhere, to avoid reinventing the wheel.

E: Everyone, involving stakeholders, patients and public to ensure sustainability

Nominations for this category are for projects where inclusivity and accessibility were considered, and co-production is central from design to delivery.

E: Effectiveness, demonstrating impact on outcomes

Nominations for this category are for projects that demonstrate clear measurable improvement for service users or staff, translating evidence into practice and delivering data driven outcomes. This could be streamlining services, financial or cost savings, improves recruitment and retention of staff.

An expert judging panel from across the national AHPQI network has been put together. Nominations will be judged during April and May.

We will be celebrating the winners of each category at an online virtual awards event on Wednesday 17th June from 12:30 to 13:45. The winners will be showcasing their work with a presentation.

Nominations open now

Nominate an individual, a team, or yourself, by completing the online nomination form, before 5pm on Friday 27th March 2026. Repost and share widely. https://lnkd.in/eXXrcrWJ

This is also a good way of shining the light on our profession and what we do. Let’s bring the awards home.

If you have any questions, email us at alliedhealthqi@gmail.com

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Chief Sustainability Officer’s Clinical Fellow Scheme 2026–27 – Applications Now Open

We are delighted to share that applications are now open for the Chief Sustainability Officer’s (CSO) Clinical Fellow Scheme 2026–27, sponsored by NHS England and managed by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM). This prestigious 12‑month leadership fellowship offers clinicians with a passion for sustainability the opportunity to work at the centre of national improvement, shaping how the NHS embeds net zero principles into care delivery.

The scheme welcomes applications from a wide range of professions, including allied health professionals, making this an excellent opportunity for BAPO members who are keen to develop as future leaders in sustainable healthcare. Fellows will be seconded from their current roles to work on high‑impact national projects, engage with senior NHS leaders, and build advanced skills in leadership, policy development, project management, research, communication, and system‑level collaboration.

Why apply?
Fellows will:

  • Lead key sustainability projects that influence national NHS policy and service transformation.
  • Work closely with senior Greener NHS leaders and national partners.
  • Develop advanced leadership, strategy, project management, and analytical skills.
  • Join a multi‑professional cohort of clinical leaders from across the NHS.

More information & full details:
CSO Information Pack 2026–27 (FMLM):
Chief Sustainability Officer’s Clinical Fellow Scheme | www.fmlm.ac.uk to apply or contact, Chiazoka Mary Ezeuzo, BAPO’s Public Health and sustainability Lead;  Chiazoka.ezeuzo@bapo.com