The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Introduction to the Glass Tracing Alignment Method; A Novel, Low-Cost Alignment Transfer Method for Lower-Limb Prostheses and Orthoses

Details

The Glass Tracing Alignment Method (GTAM) will be introduced and reviewed in detail with participants.  The origins and need for such a technique will be detailed along with the techniques involved with accurately performing the procedure.  The GTAM is a first-of-its-kind method to quickly certify that alignment procedures are performed accurately and also allow for the preservation of alignment when various components are swapped.  This has both clinical and research implications which will be reviewed in the presentation.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – The Prosthetics and Orthotics Profession in New Zealand

Details

The presentation will include an overview of opportunities for Prosthetists and Orthotists in New Zealand, focusing on various companies, contracts, and the district health board, as well as insights into ACC-related work.

I will share a brief presentation detailing my professional development in New Zealand, highlighting my role as a Clinical Orthotist for Peke Waihanga and my position as an executive member of NZOPA. Following this, I will discuss the New Zealand Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (NZOPA), addressing both the successes and challenges we encounter in the field.

Additionally, I will present relevant statistics regarding the workforce size, the patient population we serve, and key metrics such as referral and wait times.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Multidisciplinary Care in Rheumatology: The Role of the Podiatrist and Opportunities for Orthotist Integration

Details

In this talk, I will explore the role of the podiatrist within a Rheumatology multidisciplinary team (MDT), with a focus on collaborative care and how orthotists can contribute to and complement this approach. The session will cover:

  • Common rheumatological conditions encountered
  • A holistic approach to patient assessment
  • Podiatric treatments and interventions
  • Patient advice and education
  • The referral process within the MDT
  • Roles of other MDT members, including orthotists
  • Key clinical guidance and pathways we follow

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Advances in clinical trials involving prosthetics therapies

Details

This talk will focus on clinical trials involving prosthetics therapies in the UK. Following a successful NIHR-funded feasibility trial (delivered in 2018-2020) that investigated the acceptability of a self-aligning hydraulic ankle-foot to transtibial amputee patients categorised as K2-level users (limited community mobility), the STEPFORWARD full-trial will begin in 2026. This 4-year definitive trial will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a self-aligning foot compared to usual care feet for K2-level users. The findings of the trial will inform future decision-making and prioritisation of funding by NHS commissioners for prosthetics. This talk will also present other research involving advancing socket technologies for primary patients.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – To tune or not to tune – is that the question?

Details

In two influential studies, a number of UK orthotists have stated they do not ‘tune’ their AFO prescriptions. The definition of tuning is to ‘adjust for optimum performance’, so this finding is puzzling and suggests UK prescriptions may not be optimised. Do these findings reflect the current status of the situation in the UK? What is the evidence for tuning and optimal alignments? Do you align your AFOFCs, and tune or optimise that alignment? If not, what are your barriers to implementation. What is usual practice in the UK, what should it be? This teatime talk will be thought provoking and provocative

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Private Practice Insurance renewal

Dear Members,

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 2025/2026 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.
  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.

Should you have any difficulties logging in, please contact the BAPO Secretariat team via enquiries@bapo.com or call 01415617217.

Thank you

BAPO Secretariat Team

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Why we feel the need to flee from ourselves

Details

Addiction cannot be explained through medicine alone, even though its effect on the body is analogous to that of a disease. Addiction is a spiritual and an existential malaise, it is an illness that stems from a crisis of meaning in an individual and a crisis of identity.

The Living Room sums it up thus: Addiction is a flight from the self – a flight made necessary by the unbearable burden of aloneness. The addict’s childhood invariably plays a part, as children who are denied love or are punished for being authentic, grow up into adults with a desperation to fill an emotional vacuum within – a need answered by drugs, alcohol or other destructive behaviour.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Protecting Diabetic Feet: The latest research

Details

Footwear for people with diabetes refers to specially designed shoes and insoles that aim to prevent foot complications commonly associated with diabetes, such as ulcers and amputations. These shoes are designed to reduce pressure on sensitive areas, provide cushioning, and protect against friction and injury.

 

The presentation will explore the latest research and international footwear guidelines for people with diabetes. It will cover footwear design, insoles, and the role of technology in monitoring foot conditions.

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MSK Foot and Ankle: Holistic Management & Treatment Strategies

Course description:
This 2 day face-to-face short course offers participants an opportunity to learn about the orthotic management of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders of the foot and ankle in a group setting (maximum 18 participants). The experienced faculty of Orthotists will share their knowledge and skills in both theory and practical sessions.

Prior to the commencement of the course, registrants will be asked to read four designated full text journal articles.
During the course, participants will attend taught theoretical sessions mixed with active learning which will involve dividing into smaller groups to interpret x-rays and assess each other’s feet and ankles with feedback and guidance from the faculty team.

The course offers participants an intimate, focussed, and friendly learning environment away from the bustle of everyday clinical work to refresh their knowledge with best available evidence and equip them with the skills to enable them to build their confidence and MSK practice.

Aims:
This event aims to equip Orthotists and other AHP’s regularly involved in treating adult MSK foot and ankle conditions with the assessment, diagnostic and image interpretation skills to enable them to differentially diagnose and holistically manage Musculoskeletal foot and ankle conditions.

Faculty:
Simon Dickinson, Clinical Director & Consultant Orthotist, TalarMade Ltd
Chris Cox, Teaching Fellow, National Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics, University of Strathclyde

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this event the participant will be able to:
Describe normal Foot and Ankle function
Describe a range of MSK Foot and Ankle pathologies
Define the tests required for differential diagnosis of a range of Musculoskeletal Foot and Ankle pathologies
Demonstrate competence in interpreting the outcomes of a range of diagnostic tests
Utilise imaging as part of the MSK patient assessment
Demonstrate the ability to differentially diagnose a range of Musculoskeletal Foot and Ankle conditions
Perform a thorough biomechanical examination to determine the biomechanical deficit
Establish an evidence-based holistic treatment plan to address the presenting issue
Generate a detailed evidence-based orthotic prescription, management plan including anticipated outcome

Intended Participants:
Practising Orthotists who have not previously attended the “Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Foot and Ankle Problems for Orthotists” course
AHP’s regularly involved in treating adult MSK foot and ankle conditions
and
Practising Orthotists who attended the “Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Foot and Ankle Problems for Orthotists” between 2015 – 2016

Please note this course is not available to Students.

Venue:
TalarMade Ltd, Edinburgh House, Millenium Way, Chesterfield, S41 8ND.

We encourage practising Orthotist attendees to apply for reimbursement from OETT
(The Orthotic Education and Training Trust).
Applications can be made on the OETT website at www.oett.org.uk
Requests for reimbursement must include evidence of reflective learning/CPD.

Member Tickets
Non-member Tickets

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The IRPAG liner algorithm – tool to assist prescription choices in prosthetic services

Details

This session will give an over view of the prosthetic liner algorithm that was developed from the IRPAG (inter regional prosthetic audit group). IRPAG is made up of prosthetic centres in the South East of England. which includes Brighton, Charing Cross, Crystal Palace, Gillingham, Harold Wood, Luton and Dunstable, Oxford, Roehampton & Stanmore. The algorithm was created to achieve a more consistent approach to liner prescription across NHS services based on the clinical need of the patient.