The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics

News

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Have your say! In this study we want to know your thoughts on your preferred method of shape capture of the lower limb by conducting online focus group discussions in which you can express your opinions around this topic.

Capturing the right anatomical shape of prosthetic and orthotic patients is crucial for the development of comfortable and efficient lower limb devices. But what influences clinician’s decisions on which method to use?  To better understand this  clinical decision making we would like to ask those at the frontlines of patient care!

Have your say! In this study we want to know your thoughts on your preferred method of shape capture of the lower limb by conducting online focus group discussions in which you can express your opinions around this topic.

🥼 If getting it right is so crucial, why do clinicians opt for one method over another?

🌍 Open to fully qualified Prosthetists and Orthotists around the globe

🎓 Open to final year University of Salford and Strathclyde students

👩🏻‍💻 Discussions will last between 45-60 minutes

🤫 Results will be anonymised

📧 For more information or to express your interest in participating please contact: daniela.oyarzun-ulloa.2022@uni.strath.ac.uk

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Job Advert – BAPO Membership and Events Administrator

Pay: £27,577.00 per year

Job Description:

The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) is the Professional Body for people working in prosthetics and orthotics in the UK. BAPO exists for our members and so providing them with high quality support is very important.

We have a small team who are home-based who focus on administration, member support and, professional development through education courses and events.

This post is an exciting opportunity to join our high performing, delivery focused team.

If you thrive in a fast-paced work environment, can juggle multiple tasks and priorities, are resilient and a team worker then this could be the role for you.

JOB TITLE: Membership & Events Administrator

JOB LOCATION: Home based

RESPONSIBLE TO: Secretariat Supervisor

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Chair, BAPO, Executive Committee

HOURS OF WORK: 20 hours per week

£27,577.000 pro rata

JOB SUMMARY

To provide high quality administrative support to the organisation and support the functioning of membership support, events support and governance support to ensure a high-quality experience for all users.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To provide membership administrative support including dealing with correspondence, managing appointments and diaries, arranging travel and accommodation, screening and handling calls and emails and arranging meetings.
  • As part of the team, to plan and deliver a range of training and events to support members and promote the profession.
  • To provide administrative support to meetings across the organisation, including the co-ordination of agenda items, the preparation, collation and distribution of the agenda and any other relevant documentation in addition to minute taking and the typing and distribution of minutes to appropriate people.
  • To support the delivery of the administration contract with the Orthotic Education & Training Trust.
  • To ensure, under the direction from the relevant officer, that resulting actions from meetings are delivered by relevant Board or working group members, and undertake identified actions as required.
  • Provide support to BAPO Secretariat including member communications, arranging educational events and updating the website.
  • To help produce presentations, reports and responses to government bodies and edit and revise briefing papers and as required.
  • To be an effective member of the Team, contributing to developments as they arise, and contributing to the work of other teams.
  • To keep abreast of the internal and external developments of the Association or contractor organisations to ensure that these are reflected within the work of the teams.
  • To be a key point of contact for queries from members or external contacts about member activities, redirect enquiries, provide information and respond to complaints as appropriate.
  • Process membership applications, ensure financial queries are responded to or passed to appropriate people, deliver advice and support to members on information available to them on web or other platforms.
  • To work to agreed KPIs and to assist with the collection of data to monitor contracts as required.
  • To lead or contribute to BAPO projects in support of the strategic or business plan.
  • To undertake any other duties as may from time to time be required.
  • To comply with all relevant policies and procedures.

RESOURCES

Financial:

  • Liaise with accounts department regarding membership and sponsorship payments.

People:

  • Maintain an excellent working relationship with other staff, members and external contacts.

To apply please send your supporting statement of no more than 500 words and CV and direct any questions to kate.pugh@bapo.com

Applications close 17th February 2026 or the vacancy will close once we receive 50 applications.

BAPO Membership and Events Administrator February 2026Download

Must be based in the UK.

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Prosthetics and Orthotics Awareness Campaign

Prosthetic and orthotic services quietly underpin independence, mobility, and quality of life for thousands of people across the UK. Yet the vital work they deliver, the people who rely on them, and the skilled workforce that makes it possible are too often overlooked. This campaign exists to change that. It is about raising awareness of the real value of prosthetic and orthotic services and why they must be recognised, supported, and protected.

We are launching something bigger than a campaign. We are launching a shared movement.

The Prosthetics and Orthotics Awareness campaign brings patients, professionals, charities, stakeholders, and industry together as One Voice. It is a collective statement that these services matter, that the people who deliver them matter, and that the lives shaped by them matter.

The campaign will run from February 2nd until August 31st 2026, creating space over several months to listen, learn, and speak up together.

Prosthetic and orthotic services are often misunderstood as simply devices. In reality, they are skilled healthcare. They are built on clinical expertise, long term relationships, and deep understanding of individual needs. Delivered by highly trained professionals, these services support independence, dignity, mobility, and participation in everyday life. They change lives every single day.

Over the course of the campaign, we will be sharing videos, images, and quotes from representatives across the profession and from those who use these services. These voices will tell their own stories about how prosthetics and orthotics have impacted their lives and why they value prosthetic and orthotic services. Together, they will show the human reality behind the care.

Through this campaign, we are standing together to say that prosthetic and orthotic services deserve recognition, investment, and protection. Patients, clinicians, charities, and industry partners are speaking together to highlight the value of care that is personal, expert, and life changing.

This is why we value Prosthetic and Orthotic Services.

#WhyWeValuePO
#OneVoicePO
#ValuePO
#ProstheticsAndOrthotics
#PatientsAndProfessionals

Join the #ValueYourP&OTeam Campaign

Information for People Who Use Prosthetic & Orthotic Services

Prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) services change lives. This campaign is about making sure the public, decision-makers, and politicians understand just how important these services, and the people who deliver them really are.

If you have ever benefited from prosthetic or orthotic care, your voice can make a real difference.

You can take part in whatever way feels comfortable for you.

How You Can Get Involved

  1. Share a 30-Second Video

Record a short portrait video (around 30 seconds) explaining:

  • Why prosthetic and/or orthotic services matter to you
  • How they support your independence, mobility, confidence, or daily life
  • Finish with “that is why I value the prosthetic and orthotic services”

Tips:

  • Use your phone.  it doesn’t need to be professional
  • Film vertically if posting on social media
  • Speak in your own words, authenticity matters more than polish
  1. Share a Short Quote

Write one or two sentences explaining why you value P&O services.

You might say:

  • “My prosthetic allows me to live independently and do the things I love.”
  • “Orthotic support helps me stay mobile and active every day.”

You can post this:

  • As text on social media
  • Over a photo
  • As part of a campaign graphic
  1. Share Your Story

Tell your story in more detail if you feel able:

  • How prosthetics or orthotics have helped you
  • What access to good services means for your future

This could be:

  • A social media post
  • A short video
  • A written story shared with the campaign team

Every experience is valid — long or short, simple or detailed.

  1. Contact Your MP

You can help influence change by contacting your local MP.

Let them know:

  • This campaign is running
  • Why you support prosthetic and orthotic services
  • How these services impact your life

Ask them to:

  • Support prosthetic and orthotic services
  • Champion P&O care publicly and politically

Personal messages from people with lived experience are powerful.

  1. Share the Campaign with Local Media

Local newspapers and radio stations are often keen to share real stories.

You could:

  • Tell them about the campaign
  • Share your personal experience of P&O services
  • Explain why these services matter in your community

This helps take the message beyond social media.

Where to Share

You can post your content on:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X (Twitter)
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

Or share directly with campaign partners if you prefer not to post publicly.

Hashtags to Use

Please include one or more of the official campaign hashtags so posts can be found and shared:

  • #ValueYourOrthotist
  • #ValueYourProsthetist
  • #ValueYourTechnician
  • #ValueYourSupportWorker
  • #ValueYourP&OTeam

A Final Message

You do not need to be a campaigner or a public speaker to take part. Your lived experience is enough.

By sharing your voice, you are helping protect and promote the prosthetic and orthotic services that so many people rely on.

Please send your videos to kate.pugh@bapo.com 

Thank you for being part of this campaign

 

For more information about the campaign you can visit www.bapo.com

Please also see the filming guide below:

Prosthetic and Orthotic Campaign Filming guidanceDownload

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BAPO and California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (COPA) – International Collaboration

The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) and the California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (COPA) are pleased to announce a new collaboration aimed at raising the visibility of the prosthetic and orthotic profession globally. The collaboration brings together two leading organisations to address shared challenges, promote innovation, and champion the vital work the prosthetic and orthotic profession provides for our service users.

Luis Mora, President of COPA, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration:

“Our professions are at the heart of restoring mobility and independence for countless individuals. By joining forces with BAPO, we’re creating a platform for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and professional growth that will benefit practitioners and patients alike”.

Dr Nicky Eddison, Chair of BAPO, added:

“International co-operation is essential to the future of prosthetic and orthotics. This partnership reflects our mutual commitment to strengthening the profession, supporting workforce development, highlighting the skills of the prosthetic and orthotic workforce and ensuring they are valued”.

The collaboration will focus on joint initiatives, shared opportunities, and co-ordinated advocacy efforts with our international colleagues. Key priorities include, increasing public awareness of the profession, highlighting the critical role of orthotists and prosthetists in healthcare systems worldwide, and working together to address global workforce shortages within the prosthetic and orthotic sector.

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Association Partner Programme

The BAPO Association Partner Programme exists to strengthen global collaboration across the prosthetic and orthotic profession. The challenges facing prosthetics and orthotics, workforce sustainability, access to education, regulation, innovation, and patient need, do not stop at national borders. Global issues require global responses, and this partnership is designed to make that possible.

Through this programme, BAPO and its partner Associations commit to supporting one another through shared knowledge, shared resources, and aligned advocacy. By working together, we can raise the international profile of the prosthetic and orthotic profession, amplify professional voices, and promote consistent standards of care worldwide.

For BAPO members, these partnerships expand professional horizons, connecting the UK profession to international perspectives, innovation, and best practice. For partner Associations and their members, the programme provides access to high quality education, professional resources, and platforms that support learning, visibility, and engagement.

At its core, this partnership is about collective strength. By collaborating globally, we build a more connected, informed, and resilient profession that is better equipped to serve patients, support practitioners, and shape the future of prosthetics and orthotics together.

Association Partner flyerDownload

If you are interested in becoming an Association Partner please contact enquiries@bapo.com 

Association Partners

The association was founded as early as 1946 with the aim of promoting higher qualifications and professional standards within the field, monitoring developments, and working to ensure that its members achieved fair and equitable standards in terms of employment conditions and remuneration

The Swedish Prosthetics and Orthotics Association (SOIF) is a politically independent professional organization. Our work is guided by the values of a democratic society governed by the rule of law, as reflected in Swedish legislation as well as in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

SOIF exists to represent and support the professional interests of orthopedic engineers in Sweden.

In practice, this means that we work to:

  • Promote strong opportunities for continuing professional development, advanced training, and research
  • Advocate for good employment conditions and a healthy working environment
  • Initiate, organize, and contribute to education that strengthens and develops the role of the orthopedic engineer
  • Enhance the visibility and impact of orthopedic engineers within the healthcare system
  • Support a knowledgeable, responsible profession that is well prepared to work both nationally and internationally

We greatly value collaboration with our international sister organizations and see strong potential in sharing knowledge, experience, and best practice to further strengthen our profession together

SOTF was founded in 1980 with the purpose of creating an association to meet orthopedic technicians’ needs for continuing education and knowledge exchange. Everyone working in the orthopedic technology field as a production technician/orthopedic technician is welcome as a member. A large proportion of Sweden’s orthopedic technicians are members of SOTF.

SOTF organizes webinars, training courses, and study visits. We collaborate with other interest organizations when arranging conferences.

SOTF awards generous travel grants to its members for professional development within the field.

 

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Journal Partnership

Building on the success of BAPO’s existing partnership programme, this new strand focuses specifically on working with journals and publishers to improve access to research, support education and continuing professional development, and increase visibility for high-quality scholarly content within the profession.

Benefits for BAPO Members

The Journal Partnership Programme delivers clear and tangible benefits for BAPO members, supporting their clinical practice, research activity and lifelong learning. Through these partnerships, members may gain access to:

  • Reduced or waived article processing charges (APCs) for open-access publishing
  • Greater exposure to relevant, high-quality research in prosthetics and orthotics
  • Educational resources such as CPD articles, research summaries and webinars
  • Improved engagement with journals aligned to professional priorities and clinical practice

By strengthening links with journals, BAPO aims to ensure that its members are supported to publish, access and apply evidence-based research, enhancing patient care and professional standards across the UK.

Benefits for Journals and Publishers

For journals, the programme provides a valuable opportunity to connect directly with a highly engaged, specialist professional audience. Partner journals benefit from:

  • Increased visibility and recognition through BAPO’s website and communication channels
  • Targeted promotion to practising prosthetists and orthotists across the UK
  • Opportunities to share content and updates with members via newsletters, events and digital communications
  • Stronger engagement with clinicians and researchers working at the forefront of prosthetics and orthotics practice

The programme offers flexible partnership options, enabling journals to select a model that best aligns with their strategic goals, whether focused on visibility, education, or member benefits.

About CPOJ (Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/index) 

Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal (CPOJ) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal (ISSN 2561-987X) that promotes unrestricted access to articles for prosthetics and orthotics professionals, researchers, and rehabilitation teams. The scope of the journal includes prosthetics, orthotics, rehabilitation sciences, Mobility Assistive Technology (MAT), Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the prosthetics and orthotics field. CPOJ is indexed by the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), PubMed Central® (PMC), Scopus, Crossref, Sherpa Romeo, and Google Scholar. All accepted articles are permanently available online to the public without restrictions or subscription fees. Published articles in CPOJ can be used, copied, and distributed, provided that appropriate acknowledgment is included. Authors retain the copyright for their original contributions. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal is hosted by the University of Toronto Libraries and is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). CPOJ articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. CPOJ articles are freely accessible on PubMed Central® (PMC).

Journal Partner flyerDownload

Get Involved

BAPO welcomes expressions of interest from journals and publishers who share a commitment to advancing research, education and professional practice in prosthetics and orthotics.

For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, please refer to the attached flyer or contact BAPO directly at enquiries@bapo.com 

Quote from Dr Laura Barr, chair of the BAPO Research Committee

“We are excited to work more closely with our journal partners through this new programme. It creates meaningful opportunities for the prosthetics and orthotics community to strengthen relationships between research and practice, support evidence-based care, and improve access to high-quality, relevant research for our members.”