BAPO has now formally responded to the consultation on the proposal of a separate pay scale for nurses. The response from BAPO members was clear, they felt that the proposal to move to profession specific pay arrangements for the nursing profession would create divisions and create a sense of other professions feeling under-valued. Thank you to all the members who provided feedback on this issue. We will monitor the situation closely and report back on the outcomes of the consultation.
HomePage News
BAPOConnect 2024 ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE
In our advertising brochure, we provide detailed information on how to book your space/s across the magazines. You will find a full breakdown of rates and deadline dates.
BAPOConnect magazine continues to deliver competitive rates and offers to our advertising partners, giving them direct and engaging access to the P&O profession.
We hope this provides you with all the information you require. However, should you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at bapoconnect@bapo.com
We very much look forward to working with you.
The BAPO Editorial Committee
BAPO Private Practice Insurance for 2024/2025
For those currently working in Private Practice, you may not be aware BAPO offers a Private Insurance Cover extension available exclusively to BAPO members. This policy runs between May 1st to April 30th each year.
Last year, this cover cost £600 and we are delighted to be able to hold the cost for another year. Please note due to the nature of the cover, it has to be purchased in a single payment and cannot be paid by Direct Debit.
This cover affords every member with a claims limit of £10M in any insurance year for Medical Malpractice, Public and Product Liability.
From April, you will be able to purchase your 2024/2025 Private Insurance Cover extension online, through your BAPO membership profile.
Please follow these steps to activate or renew your insurance.
1. Log in to your BAPO account. Not a member? Join here
2. In the ‘Private Practice Insurance’ box on your account, click “View/Update”.
3. In the “renewing your insurance” box, click “Create Private Practice Insurance record.”
4. On the insurance record below, click “Edit.”
5. Answer the three displayed questions.
6. Select your payment method. (If paying by BACS this can take 1-5 days for payments to process and certificates will be sent when payments have cleared.)
7. The Secretariat team will then activate your insurance and send over your Private Practice Insurance certificate.
8. Policy documents will follow shortly and will be accessible from your BAPO membership account.
9. If this record does not show immediately, please contact enquires@bapo.com before making another payment.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at enquiries@bapo.com.
Assets from BAPO’s Workforce Reform Projects
BAPO is proud to launch a suite of profession-specific documents, guidelines, and frameworks from a 12-month programme of work funded by Health Education England, now part of NHS England Workforce Training and Education.
The programme of work covered a wide range of projects including pre-registration curriculum, leadership, preceptorship, support workers, practice-based learning, advanced practice, early career support, access to jobs for new graduates, case studies, and career development.
BAPO_Workforce_Mapping Document
BAPO Access to jobs for newly qualified prosthetists and orthotists
BAPO Advanced Practice in Prosthetics and Orthotics
BAPO Careers Development Framework for Prosthetists and Orthotists
BAPO Curriculum Guidance for the pre-registration education of prosthetists and orthotists
BAPO Early career guidance framework for prosthetics and orthotics
BAPO Jonathan Edgar Case Study Clinical Support Technician
BAPO National PO Practice Based Learning Framework
BAPO Provision of early career support to prosthetists and orthotists
BAPO Russell Salt Case Study Apprentice
BAPO Support worker framework for the prosthetic and orthotic workforce
The following are available as presentations:
BAPO Introduction to gait for support workers
BAPO Introduction to lower limb orthoses for support workers
BAPO Introduction to lower limb prosthetics for support workers
BAPO Introduction to upper limb orthoses for support workers
BAPO Introduction to upper limb prosthetics for support workers
BAPO Practice-Based Learning Framework
Please contact enquiries@bapo.com if you would like a copy of the presentation slides with voiceover.
Ticket prices reduced: The recording is available for the successful BAPO Virtual Symposium: Outcome Measures for Lower Limb Orthotics which took place on Saturday 27 January 2024
Lord Bradley Oral Question:
progress on extending prescribing responsibilities to more allied health professionals –
Briefing from the #PrescribingNow coalition – 06/02/2024
Introduction
- Despite assurances given to peers during the passage of the Medicines and Medical Devices Act in 2020, there has been no substantive movement on extending independent prescribing responsibilities to dietitians, occupational therapists, orthoptists, diagnostic radiographers, and speech and language therapists.
- The Government has also undertaken no assessment of the benefits of doing so, as confirmed by a series of written questions by MPs during 2023, most recently in October 2023.[1]
- In February 2023, the British Dietetic Association, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, the Society of Radiographers, and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, launched the #PrescribingNow campaign. The coalition has since been joined by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists and the College of Operating Department Practitioners.
- Coalition letters to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in February 2023 and September 2023 remain unanswered. So do letters from individual organisations.
- In December 2023, the House of Lords Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee recommended, ‘More community disciplines should be given independent prescribing and referral rights, going further than the recently announced plans from the government for pharmacists’.[2]
- The coalition welcomes this recommendation. It is now time for the Government to act on it and finally start the moves to extending independent prescribing responsibilities to dietitians, occupational therapists, orthoptists, diagnostic radiographers, speech and language therapists, prosthetists and orthotists, and operating department practitioners, in the interests of our patients, other healthcare professionals, the wider health and care system, and the public purse.
Assurances to peers during the passages of the Medicines and Medical Devices Act in 2020
Responding to Baroness Thorton’s amendment on 11 November 2020, Baroness Penn said:
- I know that a number of NHS professional groups are keen to see their members taking on responsibility for supplying or prescribing medicines. We have recently seen papers put forward by the British Dietetic Association, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, the Society of Radiographers and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. I am very grateful to the professional groups for the careful consideration that they have given to these issues.
- I reassure noble Lords that NHSE/I [NHS England] already has extensive joint working and engagement under way with these and other professional groups to consider whether any other changes would help keep patients safe and well. This will build on the historic work with various professional bodies and the devolved Administrations, over the last few years, which resulted in a number of changes, including allowing paramedics and therapeutic radiographers to be independent prescribers. As well as this, a wider scoping project is being led by NHS England and NHS Improvement, with the devolved Administrations and professional bodies, on the current and potential future use of medicines supply, administration and prescribing mechanisms by a range of non-medical healthcare professionals.[3]
In a follow-up letter to peers dated 24 November 2020, Lord Bethell commented:
- The noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham emphasised how some allied health professionals are keen to take on prescribing responsibilities to better support their patients and increase capacity in their home trusts. I know this is a heartfelt desire and I am keen to work with NHSE&I to ensure we can support these moves where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Significant moves have been made over the past few years enabling allied professions to take on extended roles with medicines, including enabling orthoptists and speech and language therapists to use patient group directions; diagnostic radiographers and dietitians to be supplementary prescribers; and paramedics and physiotherapists to be independent prescribers. NHSE&I is currently scoping the next phase of this programme of work and I expect it to report to me in April next year. I would not wish to pre-empt its findings because it is important that we act on evidence and prioritise the greatest benefits for patients and NHS need.
The NHSE scoping report which Lord Bethell said would be with him by April 2021 has not been published. It is not clear, therefore, what the report said about extending independent prescribing responsibilities to us. This is despite some of us submitting material to the scoping exercise.
Issue to press the Government on What did the report say, and will the Government publish it? |
#PrescribingNow campaign February 2023
- The #PrescribingNow campaign was launched in February 2023 calling for independent prescribing responsibilities to be extended to us.[4]
- The Government has not responded to letters we sent them in February and October 2023.
- Numerous MPs have tabled written questions or written to ministers.
- The Government’s replies have been disappointing, revealing no assessment has been taken of the benefits of extending prescribing responsibilities to us, despite the 2020/21 NHSE scoping exercise.
- The Government saying we are already able to supply or administer medicines to their patients via Patient Group Directions misses the point, and ignores the arguments peers made back in 2020.
- As detailed in the campaign’s briefing, without independent prescribing responsibilities, we cannot play our full part in supporting our patients, other healthcare professionals, and the wider system.[5]
Issue to press the Government on When will the Government start the process of extending independent prescribing responsibilities to dietitians, occupational therapists, orthoptists, diagnostic radiographers, speech and language therapists, prosthetists and orthotists, and operating department practitioners? |
House of Lords Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee report December 2023
- In December 2023, the House of Lords Integration and Community Care Committee report recommended extending prescribing responsibilities to more community disciplines:
- More community disciplines should be given independent prescribing and referral rights, going further than the recently announced plans from the government for pharmacists. The DHSC should build on this work and investigate whether other community clinicians can be given similar rights. POD and community clinicians are trained to a high level and could be given (new or enhanced) prescribing and referral rights that reduce demand on GPs as either prescribers or referrers. For example, orthoptists could monitor and prescribe glaucoma treatments. (Paragraph 168)
- The Committee’s report quoted from the #PrescribingNow coalition’s Q & A.
- We very strongly welcome and support the Committee’s recommendation.
Issue to press the Government on Will the Government act on the Committee’s recommendation? If so, when? If not, why not? |
[1] https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-09-19/200543
[2] https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/649/integration-of-primary-and-community-care-committee/news/198938/integration-is-key-to-health-service-improvement-says-lords-committee/
[3] https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2020-11-11/debates/BA33FB80-686D-40A3-802D-867ED6691A6E/MedicinesAndMedicalDevicesBill
[4] https://www.rcslt.org/policy-and-influencing/england/campaigns/
[5] https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Q-A.pdf
Lynne Rowley MBE: Awarded the BAPO Lifetime Achievement Award
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists has awarded Lynne Rowley the BAPO Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award has been made to reflect Lynne’s long service, during which she made a unique and dedicated contribution to both BAPO and the profession during what were challenging times. In particular, we wish to pay tribute to her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On hearing of the award Lynne said “I am taken aback by this award and it means the world to me. You will know that the P&O profession has been a major part of my life and it’s lovely to have that recognised by such a wonderful fraternity of colleagues.
It’s been an honour and a privilege to know and work with you all…Thank you again for the nomination and the award. I feel touched and greatly appreciate it”.
An article providing further details relating to the award and the career of Lynne Rowley will appear in BAPO Connect.
Cardiff 2024
After the success of our 2023 regional conferences in Scotland and South England, BAPO is excited to announce that we will hold our next regional conference in Wales on Friday 8th March 2024 at the Future Inn Cardiff Bay, Hemingway Road, Cardiff, CF10 4AU
The theme for the one-day event is People and Place: Enhancing the quality of prosthetic and orthotic services in Wales. Our programme will consist of a mix of invited speakers and free papers.
The event is targeted at P & O professionals and the wider P & O community. It is open to both BAPO members and non-members. It is a great opportunity to enhance knowledge, support continuing professional development, network with colleagues and engage with exhibitors face-to-face.
The programme will start at 11:00 am and conclude at 4:00 pm. Registration and the exhibition will start at 10:00 am. There will be a 1-hour lunch break and a 30-minute coffee break in the afternoon to allow delegates to network with colleagues and friends.
Come along to learn, collaborate, communicate and share ideas!
Speakers
Kerrie Phipps
National Allied Health Professions (AHP) Lead Primary & Community Care | Arweinydd Proffesiynau Perthynol i Iechyd (AHP) ar gyfer Gofal Sylfaenol a Gofal yn y Gymuned
Kerrie provides professional leadership and expert strategic advice, on a national basis, relating to the role of Allied Health Professionals working across Primary and Community Care, in line with the vision of A Healthier Wales, the Strategic Programme for Primary Care and the AHP Framework in Wales – ‘Looking Forward Together’.
Her role focuses on optimising the AHPs offer and accessibility across Primary and Community Care, in order to support a preventative, pro-active whole system pathway approach to recovery and rehabilitation provision, which prioritises services at or close to home and enables citizens throughout Wales to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
Kerrie has over 30 years of experience working across health and social care and is passionate about AHPs utilising their unique skill set to support presenting needs, delivering person-centred support within a place-based care model of care. She is a leader committed to creating a culture of compassionate care, and inspiring greater collaboration to bring positive, inclusive and productive transformation.
Summary of Presentation:
Optimising the AHPs offer and accessibility across Primary and Community Care in Wales
The AHP Framework for Wales identified AHPs need to be utilised more effectively to inspire and enable people to lead healthier lives, be more easily and directly accessible, and work at the top of their ability with visible and transformational leadership. With ‘strong primary care’ at the heart of everything that they do.
This translates into the AHP ambition in Wales, for well-integrated services, rooted in the community, with the full range of practitioner levels and prudent optimisation of AHP skill set.
Doug Young
Improving Quality with Digital Manufacturing
Doug Young studied at the National Centre for Training and Education in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Strathclyde University in Scotland, graduating in 2006. Since then he has worked across the UK in both the NHS and private sectors. His specialism lies in complex orthotic problem solving, lower limb biomechanics and neurological conditions. His passion for high quality orthotic treatment inevitably led him into 3D printing where he has developed extensive knowledge and experience.
Dr Nicky Eddison
BAPO Chair, Associate Professor / Consultant Orthotist
Presentation – The current status of the UK prosthetic and orthotic workforce and implications for the future
Dr Nicky Eddison received her PhD in biomechanical optimisation of ankle-foot orthoses and footwear combinations in 2018 from Staffordshire University and currently holds the position of Association Professor at the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies at Staffordshire University. In addition, Nicky is a consultant orthotist and service manager at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. In March 2024, Nicky will take the position of Chair of BAPO.
Nicky has a portfolio of peer-reviewed publications, achieving impact within the orthotics profession both nationally and internationally and across the wider healthcare domain of Allied Health Professions. Her research interests include biomechanical optimisation, prescription footwear, gait analysis, digitalisation in healthcare, and health inequalities.
Louise Henstock & Dr. Kim Stuart
Exploring Enhanced Level Practice – a new career structure to shape the workforce
Louise is a Senior Lecturer and Directorate Lead for Learning and Teaching across Allied and Public Health in the School of Health and Society with roles including leading on the implementation of Universal Design for Learning. Louise completed a BSc Physiology from the University of Leeds (1996), qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1999 (University of Bradford), and completed her Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Management in 2003 (Leeds Metropolitan University). She has worked both clinically (NHS and private sectors) and within Higher Education Institutions (York St. John University, Cambridge University, and the University of Salford), completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in 2007. She is currently an external examiner for Birmingham City University, MSc Pre-registration Physiotherapy programme. Louise has been a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2017 and has extensive experience in the design and delivery of both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, covering Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Medicine.
Louise has a keen interest in innovation and design and has recently co-led an innovation partnership with Coventry University in the development of a National Schema in Enhanced Practice (across seven Allied Health Professions), on behalf of NHS England.
The University of Salford, Directorate of Allied & Public Health, School of Health & Society, Frederick Road, Salford, M6 6PU
Tel: 07751713298
Kim is an Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy and is Allied Health Professionals Development Lead across the School of Health and Care with roles that include leading on the development of a new learning and teaching strategy for the pre-registration and foundation level curriculums. Kim completed a BSc Occupational Therapy at the University of Derby (1999) and has undertaken an MSc and Professional Doctorate.
She has worked both clinically (NHS and charitable sectors) and within Higher Education Institutions including holding roles in research, strategic commissioning and provider leadership within the NHS.
Kim has been a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2019 and has extensive experience in the design and delivery of both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, covering Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Social Care. Kim has a keen interest in innovation, curriculum review and design, most recently co-leading an innovation partnership with the University of Salford in the development of a National Schema and model curricula for Enhanced Level Practice across seven Allied Health Professions, on behalf of NHS England.
Coventry University, School of Health and Care, Priory Road, Coventry
Tel: 07714017733
Paul Drayton
A comparison study of three Transfemoral Sockets for an active teenager
Graduating from University of Salford in 2005, Paul Drayton is a Prosthetist at Swansea Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre since 2007.
Swansea Artificial Limb and Appliance Service is commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialist Services Committee (WHSSC) to provide all levels of upper and lower limb prostheses and devices to approximately 1300 service users from Aberystwyth to Bridgend.
Chiazoka Ezeuzo
My journey as an international Orthotist in the UK; challenges faced and solutions for easy integration
Chiazoka Ezeuzo (Mary) is an internationally trained Prosthetist and Orthotist, with BSc in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
Mary currently practices as an Orthotist with Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, having years of clinical and managerial experience.
Mary is passionate about building greater intercultural leadership and management skills across culturally diverse teams with the purpose of improving the quality of prosthetic and orthotic services in the country.
She also works with the AHP RWT Education team to deliver training sessions and actively engage AHP students.
Being a preceptorship champion, she is creating more awareness on ease of transitioning for Newly qualified/ internationally qualified practitioners into full practice.
Matthew Hill
Development of a screening tool to assess the clinical suitability of Off-the-Shelf Stability Therapeutic Footwear (OSSTF) for mobility-impaired children
Matthew has recently completed his PhD in children’s therapeutic footwear at Staffordshire University’s Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies. He has previously worked within the NHS, specialising in children’s podiatry. He is a visiting lecturer at Staffordshire University and The University of Malta, delivering undergraduate and postgraduate modules on paediatric lower limb development and pathology.
Gwen Roberts
An exploration of the representation of the allied health professions in senior leadership positions in the UK National Health Service.
Gwen Lyn Roberts is a Prosthetist in NHS Cardiff and Vale. Prior to graduating from Strathclyde University she worked in various healthcare settings, experiencing the complexities of navigating health and social care in the UK. She has a passion for patient-centred care and is a believer that the best care is received through multi-disciplinary involvement, which has led to a focus on leadership within the AHP community to advocate for professions, and to ensure patients receive gold standard care.
Paul Charlton
Orthotic management of SONK; Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of the knee. A case study
A practicing clinician of many years’ experience. Paul is passionate about the profession with a strong interest in academia and research he has held key roles in both ISPO and BAPO over his career.
Enza Leone
How does the prosthetic and orthotic workforce contribute to public health?
Enza Leone is a Research Officer within the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies (CBRT) at Staffordshire University. Enza is a physiotherapist and currently pursuing a PhD at Keele University. She has been involved in projects looking at the service of Allied Health Professionals.
Heather Bassett
Case study of joint MDT working across specialist services within south Wales and England with a complex burns patient.
Heather has been working in Cardiff as Prosthetist for a number of years.
BAPO sponsors award at the 2024 Advancing Healthcare Awards
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) is sponsoring the Inspirational Innovators in Prosthetics and Orthotics award in the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024 for the second year.
The Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024 is an annual event that aims to recognise and reward projects and professionals in the healthcare science and allied health professions (AHPs) that lead innovative healthcare practices and make a real difference in patients’ lives.
AHPs, healthcare scientists, and those who work alongside them in support roles across the UK are invited to enter the Advancing Healthcare Awards to recognise excellence and partnership working across the professions.
Commenting on the sponsorship of an award at the Advancing Healthcare Awards, BAPO’s Chair, Peter Iliff, said: “BAPO is delighted to sponsor an award to recognise inspirational innovators in prosthetics and orthotics in the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024. Prosthetics and orthotics are the smallest AHP profession, yet they make a hugely significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.”
The BAPO-sponsored award is open to all UK-registered prosthetists and orthotists, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, and support workers. Nominations can be made for yourself or a colleague. The prosthetics and orthotics award aims to recognise and reward the vital contribution of the workforce, and those who have inspired the prosthetics and orthotics community through innovation, leadership, clinical excellence, passion, and research excellence.
Entries can be made until 7th February 2024.
The awards will be presented at a live ceremony on 26 April 2024 at the Victoria Park Plaza in London.
There are a variety of awards that are open to AHPs and healthcare scientists including:
AWARDS OPEN TO BOTH AHPs AND HEALTHCARE SCIENTISTS
• The Welsh Government’s award for value-based care: maximising the expertise of healthcare scientists and allied health professionals to improve patient outcomes
• The award for outstanding achievement by an apprentice, support worker, or non-registered technician in an AHP or healthcare science service
• The Rising Star Award sponsored by Chamberlain Dunn
• The Award for Creative and Innovative Practice
AWARDS OPEN TO AHPS
• The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists award for Inspirational Innovators in Prosthetics and Orthotics
• The AHP Clinical Leadership award
• The Northern Ireland Government’s award for Partnering, Leading, and Shaping to improve population health
OVERALL WINNER:
• The judges select the overall winner from the category winners.
Enter a nominee here: https://aha.awardsplatform.com/
For more information and to make an entry visit: www.AHAwards.co.uk/uk/
https://ahawards.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AHA-awards-2024_info-sheet__.pdf
A message from last year’s winner, Clara Bailey, Orthotist
Hi, I was the winner of the AHA British Association of Prosthetist and Orthotists (BAPO) Award for inspirational innovators last year.
Do you have a colleague that deserves to be nominated? Maybe they are working to develop new processes to improve the patient experience or are working on a project to develop a new product. They might be working with an allied profession to ultimately improve the O&P outcomes for either the patient or the orthotist or prosthetist. It may be part of their “day” job, or it may be a project that runs alongside it. They may be working as an individual or part of a team.
Nominating a colleague or team of colleagues is a great way to raise awareness of their work, as well as make them feel recognised and appreciated. This can increase their confidence in the work they do.
Receiving my award definitely contributed to me finally being brave enough to publish my book “Improving the Fit of Therapeutic Footwear” which has generated interest and feedback beyond my wildest expectations. I was a guest speaker at the BAPO conference in Farnborough and have had the chance to speak to many people about the issues relating to footwear provision, enforcing the importance of the work I have been doing. I also feel the award further substantiates me as the presenter of my CPD-accredited footwear course.
The award itself is presented at a fantastic ceremony and I was fortunate to attend and share the experience of being treated like VIP’s with my admin colleague Tracey, whose hard work behind the scenes allows me to achieve what I do. It was great to meet so many inspirational people there and to hear about what they have achieved in their services.
I would really encourage you to nominate your deserving colleague. They will be very grateful.
Landmark Study Reveals Critical Shortage in UK Prosthetic and Orthotic Workforce
A study by the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies (CBRT) at Staffordshire University has revealed a significant deficit in the number of prosthetists, orthotists and prosthetic/orthotic technicians and support workers working in the UK. The final report is formally launched on 6th November 2023.
This research, commissioned by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), found there are currently 631 orthotists and 295 prosthetists employed nationwide. However, an additional 142 to 477 prosthetists/orthotists are needed to meet World Health Organization standards of care.
“This workforce shortage is worrying,” said Professor Nachi Chockalingam, Director of CBRT and a senior author of the study. “With our ageing population, demand for prosthetic and orthotic services will only increase. We urgently need strategies to grow and sustain this profession.”
The study also identified a lack of qualified technicians and support workers to support prosthetist/orthotist teams, with a shortage of 1,133 to 1,803 individuals by WHO benchmarks. Significant recruitment challenges were reported by both NHS and private sector employers.
“This landmark report provides the hard evidence we need to take action,” said Dr Nicky Eddison, lead researcher. “Working with professional bodies, higher education institutions and the industry we must inspire the next generation and make prosthetics/orthotics an attractive career choice.”
The report highlighted retention issues as well, with 1 in 5 prosthetists/orthotists indicating they may leave the field in the next five years. Key factors driving attrition include lack of career progression, poor work-life balance and lack of flexibility.
Another senior author Dr Aoife Healy, added: “Prosthetist/orthotist is an incredibly skilled profession that allows for a high degree of creativity combined with cutting-edge technology to transform patients’ lives.”
Mr Peter Iliff, the Chair of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists said, “We need to nurture these professionals so they feel valued and able to thrive throughout their careers. BAPO has pledged to implement the report’s recommendations around enhanced educational programs, expanded roles for prosthetic/orthotic technicians and support workers, and greater collaboration to sustain the workforce.”
“With commitment from all stakeholders, we can build the prosthetic/orthotic workforce needed to provide quality care to all who require it,” Professor Chockalingam said. “We look forward to partnering across the health sector to make this vision a reality.”
BAPO_Workforce_Mapping_Document_FINAL