The course aims to improve the skills of the Orthotist when providing
therapeutic footwear to their patients.
Day 1 is presented virtually and covers footwear assessment procedures, what to consider, analysis of the situation and how to use this information to choose the most appropriate type of footwear. The different types of footwear will be discussed, stock, modular, and bespoke footwear (its uses, allowances, benefits and limitations). The mechanics of feet and how they affect footwear and how footwear affects feet is included, with lots of detail about designing bespoke footwear and how each part of it should be specified and designed by the orthotist to achieve the best outcome for the patient.
Days 2 and 3 are face to face and includes practical sessions aiming to improve assessment, measuring skills, casting, fitting, supplying and reviewing skills.
Potential problems at fitting and review and how to resolve them will be discussed and suggestions on how to improve practice will be suggested.
Attendees should be prepared to share a short case study on day 1. This can be either a success or a problem that they experience in their footwear provision. A brief description is all that is needed but photos would help.
Attendees should bring an example of a footwear draft to day 2.
Delegates will need to attend all 3 days of this Short Course.
About the Instructor - Clara Bailey
Clara graduated in 1995 from Paddington College in London with a HND in orthotics. She has worked at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield for the past 24 years, where she is the Clinical Lead Orthotist.
She is also the Blatchford Footwear Clinical Lead.
Winner of the 2020 BAPO Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2023 Advancing Healthcare BAPO Award for Inspirational Innovators in P&O, footwear provision is Clara’s specialty and passion.
She recognises the importance of therapeutic footwear to our ever-growing and aging population and provides mentorship and troubleshooting for colleagues who are having issues with footwear. She especially enjoys providing complex orthopaedic footwear to patients, and seeing how well-fitting, functional footwear can change their lives.
Clara created a footwear training course that she presents within the Blatchford team. The course has recently received its CPD accreditation, opening it up to all orthotists through BAPO. She has also written a book as a compliment to the course.
Clara has been involved with the ongoing development of the Blatchford line of footwear, improving the range and helping write the new catalogue. Clara has also produced many guides and leaflets for use within Blatchford to help with clinical processes.
Intended Participants: This course is open to practising Orthotists only.
BAPO Members, BAPO Member Graduates and non BAPO members.
Please note: this course is not available to Students.
We encourage practising Orthotist attendees to apply for reimbursement from OETT
(The Orthotic Education and Training Trust).
Course fee funding for non-BAPO members would be at the BAPO member rate for practising Orthotists only.
Applications can be made on the OETT website at www.oett.org.uk
Requests for reimbursement must include evidence of reflective learning/CPD.