News

HCPC are seeking feedback on proposed changes to our sanctions policy to provide more clarity and guidance for panel members when deciding on the appropriate sanction in fitness to practise (FTP) cases. The changes will further ensure that all FTP decisions and outcomes are informed, fair, proportionate, and consistent.

Read the consultation below:

Consultation on updates to our sanctions policy | The HCPC

🚀 Exciting News!

University of Salford is awarded NHS England commission to support Enhanced Practice Apprenticeship for Allied Health Professionals, launching September 2025!

This national initiative supports AHP career progression and service transformation through the four pillars of practice:
🩺 Clinical | 🧠 Leadership | 📚 Education | 🔬 Research

🎓 What’s Happening?

• A new Enhanced Practice Apprenticeship PgCert – bespoke to your professional and pathway needs
• Development of resources for AHPs & employers
• Development of sustainable pathways for Enhanced practice

🎥 Watch Now – Overview of Enhanced practice at The University of Salford in Commission with NHS England
👉 Short Overview – 10 mins
👉 Full Recording – 15 mins

 

🛣️ Join Our Summer Roadshows
Meet us across England to:
✅ Explore the Enhanced Practice apprenticeship
✅ Share your insights
✅ Shape the future of AHP practice
👉 Register for a roadshow near you.

📩 Get in Touch and Please share with your colleagues.

Questions? Email us at ECPapprenticeship@salford.ac.uk

Following on from the success of our first funded ticket initiative in Wigan, we are thrilled to announce that we will be providing funded tickets once more for our Glasgow. Conference on November 21st.  All BAPO members are eligible to request a funded ticket. The initiative aims to strengthen our connection and make our conference accessible to all of our members.  

We look forward to seeing our BAPO members at our conference in Scotland! 

About the Initiative 

This initiative is designed to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience our next regional conference. There will be a limited number of fully funded tickets available, and they will be issued on a first come first served basis. We recommend you ensure your BAPO membership is fully up to date to ensure you are eligible. 

Non-members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets at the early bird price of £105 per ticket. After this period ends, tickets will be available to purchase for £120 each.   

How It Works   

Eligibility: The funded ticket program is open to all BAPO members. 

Application Process: BAPO members can register for a ticket through our website when the tickets go live on Monday 21st July at 10:00 am 

Terms and Conditions: Full terms and conditions will be released once registration opens. 

Tickets  

One ticket per member: Only one funded ticket per member can be claimed for this event.

Transferring tickets: Tickets cannot be re-sold. Tickets can only be transferred to another BAPO member via the BAPO Secretariat subject to T&Cs.  

We are excited to embark on this journey to make our events more inclusive and accessible. We encourage BAPO members to take advantage of this opportunity and experience our conference firsthand. 
 

The Advancing Healthcare Awards Cymru are open for entry and the closing date has now been extended to Monday 4 August. This awards programme is an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the important and innovative work of healthcare scientists and allied health professionals across Wales. For more information and to nominate, visit: https://ahawards.co.uk/cymru/

The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics – Initial thoughts on the NHS 10-Year Plan

The publication of the NHS 10-Year Plan marks a pivotal moment for the future of healthcare in the UK. The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) welcomes the plan’s ambitious and forward-looking vision.

Prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) have a vital role to play in delivering several of the plan’s strategic priorities, including moving care closer to home, embracing digital innovation, and shifting the focus from treatment to prevention. P&O are also well positioned to contribute meaningfully to the development of the proposed ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’. BAPO will engage with its members, industry partners, and stakeholders to explore how the profession can best support and enhance this new model of care.

However, the success of this transformation will depend heavily on effective implementation, which must include sustained investment, strategic workforce development, and a robust supporting infrastructure. Currently, high vacancy rates and limited capacity within the P&O profession present significant challenges in meeting even existing demand.

BAPO is encouraged by the plan’s focus on apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the P&O workforce. While the current plan highlights nursing apprenticeships, BAPO strongly urges the government to also recognise and incorporate allied health profession apprenticeships in its future workforce strategy.

BAPO remains committed to working collaboratively with the Department of Health and Social Care, sector partners, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the prosthetic and orthotic profession is acknowledged and meaningfully integrated into the future of the NHS.

“We are pleased Krista has taken on the challenge of being BAPO’s new Digital Lead. Krista will play a key role in supporting the Prosthetics and Orthotics profession to harness emerging technological capabilities, particularly AI and simulation. This work will support alignment with the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Plan—ensuring that digital innovation enhances clinical practice, improves outcomes, and supports a future-ready workforce.” – Dr Nicky Eddison

We’re delighted to welcome Chiazoka to BAPO as our new Public Health and Sustainability Lead. These two areas are vital to the future of prosthetic and orthotic care and align closely with the ambitions of the NHS Ten Year Plan, which prioritises prevention, early intervention, and long-term health outcomes over reactive treatment.

Prosthetic and orthotic services play a pivotal role in preventing ill health, by maintaining mobility, reducing falls, managing long-term conditions, supporting people to remain in or return to work, and enabling independent living with improved quality of life. Alongside this, we must also ensure our services are environmentally responsible, minimising waste, lowering our carbon footprint, and contributing to a greener, more sustainable NHS.

Chiazoka brings a wealth of, passion, and commitment to these priorities. Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping a profession that is both proactive in promoting public health and accountable in its environmental impact. We’re thrilled to have her on board as we continue to lead and innovate in these critical areas.

If you’re a BAPO member and would like to support your profession to engage with public health and sustainability we would love to hear from you