The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics

News

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Progressing Practice-based learning as the future of our profession

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Join us for an interactive Teatime Talk where we will discuss practice-based learning (PrBL), and how learning opportunities develop the future of our profession.

 

This engaging session is aimed at all members of the prosthetic and orthotic workforce. If you are just starting your career, have years of clinical experience or are somewhere in between, we want to hear your views and ideas. We encourage participation in discussion for an “All teach, all learn” approach.

We will explore and discuss how practice-based learning can drive innovation and strengthen the future Prosthetics and Orthotics workforce.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Unified Approach to Footdrop

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Physiotherapists and Orthotists share a clinical commitment to the management of footdrop. However, there is often a bias in their respective approaches. Physiotherapists are often more focused on the swing phase and achieving toe clearance. This is reflected in their use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). Orthotists appear to Physiotherapists to be more focused on stance and this is reflected in their (perceived) preference for AFOs. This Teamtime talk scopes out how the two disciplines can work more collaboratively to achieve better clinical outcomes.

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Tech and Trends Webinar – Powering Movement: How SpryStep Agilik transforms Mobility

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Introducing SpryStep® Agilik™ – an innovative, microprocessor powered KAFO, featuring a composite design strut. We will examine how this new technology can positively influence stance phase stability and provide powered assistance during the swing phase. Interested on how this can influence patient outcomes, we will examine potential patient groups and show some examples of patient case studies to better examine this exciting new technology.
 
During this session, we will:
– Introduce the Bionic Power and Thuasne® collaboration.
– Provide a brief overview of the evolution of orthotic solutions for patients with significant neuromuscular deficits.
– Explore the Agilik™ Technology- what is it and how does it work?
– Explain how Thuasne®’s composite materials knowledge and Agilik™ can be used to optimise biomechanical principles.
– Discuss outcome measures and potential long-term benefit of using the Agilik™.
– Review some case studies and the outcomes of the SpryStep® Agilik™ on patients with neuromuscular weakness.

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Urgent letter to the Secretary of State

The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) have written to the Secretary of State to raise serious concerns about the potential closure of the Prosthetics & Orthotics apprenticeship programmes at the University of Derby. Losing this vital training route would remove a third of the countrys’s pipeline and put the future of our already fragile workforce at risk — affecting prosthetists, orthotists, technicians, and ultimately the millions of people who rely on these life-changing services. In our letter, we’ve asked for urgent clarity from NHS England and the Government on:

• Delayed apprenticeship funding

• Undelivered employer support

• The stalled work on small & vulnerable professions

• The lack of a clear commissioning pathway for P&O services

The consequences of inaction are real and human: reduced independence, poorer health outcomes, and increased pressures on already stretched services. BAPO is calling for immediate steps to protect training, stabilise the workforce, and safeguard the future of prosthetic and orthotic care across the country. We will continue to advocate on behalf of our profession and the people we serve.

Letter to the Secretary of StateDownload

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BAPO Bitesize

Introducing BAPO Bitesize

Designed for the prosthetics and orthotics community, with relevance for colleagues across the wider multidisciplinary team.

BAPO Bitesize is the online, on demand education resource from the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO), created to support learning across the prosthetics and orthotics community.

Built for busy professionals, BAPO Bitesize delivers concise, accessible learning that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Each course supports continuing professional development (CPD) while helping you stay informed about current thinking, practical approaches, and best practice in prosthetics and orthotics.

Courses are developed and delivered by experts in the field and the wider multidisciplinary team, ensuring the content reflects real clinical experience, collaborative practice, and current professional knowledge.

Whether you are looking to refresh your knowledge, explore new topics, or build your CPD portfolio, BAPO Bitesize provides flexible learning that fits around your schedule.

Why BAPO Bitesize?

Flexible learning
Access short, focused modules online whenever it suits you.

Delivered by experts
Courses are developed and delivered by experienced professionals working in prosthetics and orthotics and across the wider multidisciplinary team.

Designed for the P&O community
Created for prosthetists and orthotists, technicians, support workers, and learners, with learning that is also relevant to colleagues across the wider MDT.

Support your CPD
Use BAPO Bitesize to maintain and evidence your continuing professional development.

Practical and relevant
Courses focus on real world practice, emerging ideas, and key professional topics.

BAPO Member Pricing

BAPO members receive discounted access to BAPO Bitesize learning:

£4.99 per module
£25 for a complete course (6 modules)

Non-Member Pricing

£9.99 per module
£55 for a complete course

Look for courses that are pre-approved by OETT at BAPO member prices.

Available BAPO Bitesize Courses

BAPO Bitesize offers a growing collection of short courses designed to support learning across prosthetics and orthotics practice.

Explore the available BAPO Bitesize courses and start learning today.

Go To BAPO Bitesize

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Enhanced Practice Mythbusting

🔍 Enhanced Practice: Clearing up the confusion

Swipe through the graphic to see a few myths busted about what Enhanced Practice really is in Prosthetics and Orthotics.

👀 Myth 1: It’s a job title
Reality: It’s a level of capability across the four pillars of practice. It’s about how you apply knowledge and skills every day.

📚 Myth 2: Off the job training means time away from clinic
Reality: Most learning happens in your usual patient facing role. What matters is how you evidence new behaviours.

🎓 Myth 3: The Salford PGCert is only for band 6, NHS or full-time staff
Reality: The course is open to NHS and private providers and part time applicants. Banding does not define access.

🌍 Myth 4: Enhanced Practice only applies in England
Reality: The apprenticeship route is England based, but the direct entry route is open to applicants from anywhere.

🚀 Why it matters
Enhanced Practice focuses on real world capability and can be a stepping stone toward Advanced Practice.

Enhanced Practice Mythbusting (1)Download

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Short survey for above-knee prosthesis users and clinicians working with prosthesis users!

social_media_post_image_v1.1Download

https://imperial.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8Clf4sQiTiYRtHg

We want to know what would be important to you in a new prosthesis socket design, so please consider filling in our short survey so we can better address your needs. We are really hoping to hear from a range of clinicians and users – and particularly want to hear from both females and males!Any questions? Please contact: Loïs Galletly at lois.galletly17@imperial.ac.uk