“We are pleased Krista has taken on the challenge of being BAPO’s new Digital Lead. Krista will play a key role in supporting the Prosthetics and Orthotics profession to harness emerging technological capabilities, particularly AI and simulation. This work will support alignment with the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Plan—ensuring that digital innovation enhances clinical practice, improves outcomes, and supports a future-ready workforce.” – Dr Nicky Eddison
We’re delighted to welcome Chiazoka to BAPO as our new Public Health and Sustainability Lead. These two areas are vital to the future of prosthetic and orthotic care and align closely with the ambitions of the NHS Ten Year Plan, which prioritises prevention, early intervention, and long-term health outcomes over reactive treatment.
Prosthetic and orthotic services play a pivotal role in preventing ill health, by maintaining mobility, reducing falls, managing long-term conditions, supporting people to remain in or return to work, and enabling independent living with improved quality of life. Alongside this, we must also ensure our services are environmentally responsible, minimising waste, lowering our carbon footprint, and contributing to a greener, more sustainable NHS.
Chiazoka brings a wealth of, passion, and commitment to these priorities. Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping a profession that is both proactive in promoting public health and accountable in its environmental impact. We’re thrilled to have her on board as we continue to lead and innovate in these critical areas.
If you’re a BAPO member and would like to support your profession to engage with public health and sustainability we would love to hear from you
An introduction to the Enhanced Clinical Practice (ECP) PGCert course at the University of Salford. This exciting opportunity is being offered as an Apprenticeship or Direct route for registered clinicians who have completed at least 1 year of post-registration work.
After setting the scene for the NEED for this ECP programme, we will provide an overview to the course; what it entails, how to navigate the Apprenticeship standard KSBs, who should apply and where to go for more information.
There will be time at the end for all your pressing questions!
In September 2023 NHS England published its own guidelines on developing and commissioning peer support. Recognising peer support as an important self-management intervention, the guidelines highlight the need to consider the resources required, how peer mentors are supported themselves, quality assurance and evaluation methods.
Over the last 6 years the Limbless Association has been building on the foundations of its Volunteer Visitor VV peer support programme, originally set up over 30 years ago. The LA’s new VV programme has seen significant investment (funding from National Lottery England Reaching Communities) and is being included in several research studies in England and Wales. It’s included in the findings and outcomes of an NIHR funded study which was recently completed at De Montfort University in Leicester. Peer support resource – preamp.dmu.ac.uk
BAPO is dedicated to recognising and celebrating our prosthetists, orthotists, technicians, support workers, and learners. We are delighted to open nominations for the 2025 BAPO Awards. We are pleased to announce an additional 4 Awards this year!
Anyone can nominate an individual for these awards, including clinicians, colleagues, technicians, patients, learners, and managers. You can also nominate yourself.
The Awards for 2025 are:
Prosthetist of the Year
Orthotist of the Year – Sponsored by OETT
Technician of the Year – Sponsored by Algeos
Rising Star Award
Learner of the Year
Best P&O Team Award 2025 – Sponsored by Thuasne
Outstanding Customer Service Award
BAPO Hero Award
Practice Educator of the Year
Researcher of the Year
Support Worker of the Year
Outstanding Leader of the Year
Nominations close on 31st July 2025.
Shortlisted nominees will be contacted in August, and the winners will be announced at the BAPO Awards ceremony (date and location to be confirmed).
Please provide detailed responses to help our judges evaluate nominees effectively.
Please take the time to share this with your colleagues and wider network to ensure P&O colleagues get the recognition they deserve!
Please stay tuned as more information will follow!
If you are interested in sponsoring an award, please contact enquiries@bapo.com
Please print and display the posters below to raise awareness of the awards and encourage people to nominate.
BAPO is delighted to support Keele University’s P&O Summer School on August 26th and 27th. If you are interested in exploring a career in P&O, contact Keele to book your fully funded place whilst spaces remain. For more information, please contact n.ahmed1@keele.ac.uk
Chair, BAPO