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Cognitive and emotional changes are common following stroke and can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life and recovery. The talk will provide an overview of the cognitive and emotional impact of stroke for stroke survivors and their families. It will also look to touch upon related areas of fatigue and practical implications such as return to work and driving.

BAPO is delighted to be delivering our final conference of the year alongside our colleagues at the Royal College of Podiatry. This key collaboration underlines the importance of working together across the multi-disciplinary team. Sharing our experience and knowledge to empower the profession to enable the user. The conference will be held at

You can find information regarding the venue here: https://www.sec.co.uk/

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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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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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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

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

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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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.