The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

News

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BAPO Teatime Talk – The Power of Peer Support – what does effective and sustainable peer support for the amputee community look like?

Details

In September 2023 NHS England published its own guidelines on developing and commissioning peer support. Recognising peer support as an important self-management intervention, the guidelines highlight the need to consider the resources required, how peer mentors are supported themselves, quality assurance and evaluation methods.  

 

Over the last 6 years the Limbless Association has been building on the foundations of its Volunteer Visitor VV peer support programme, originally set up over 30 years ago. The LA’s new VV programme has seen significant investment (funding from National Lottery England Reaching Communities) and is being included in several research studies in England and Wales. It’s included in the findings and outcomes of an NIHR funded study which was recently completed at De Montfort University in Leicester. Peer support resource – preamp.dmu.ac.uk 

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BAPO P&O Awards 2025

Nominations are now open for BAPO P&O Awards 2025!


BAPO is dedicated to recognising and celebrating our prosthetists, orthotists, technicians, support workers, and learners. We are delighted to open nominations for the 2025 BAPO Awards. We are pleased to announce an additional 4 Awards this year!

Anyone can nominate an individual for these awards, including clinicians, colleagues, technicians, patients, learners, and managers. You can also nominate yourself.

The Awards for 2025 are:

Prosthetist of the Year – Sponsored by North Sea Plastics
Orthotist of the Year – Sponsored by OETT
Technician of the Year – Sponsored by Algeos
Rising Star Award – Sponsored by OSSUR
Learner of the Year
Best P&O Team Award 2025 – Sponsored by Thuasne
Outstanding Customer Service Award
BAPO Hero Award
Practice Educator of the Year
Researcher of the Year
Support Worker of the Year
Outstanding Leader of the Year – Sponsored by Blatchford

Nominations close on 31st July 2025.

Shortlisted nominees will be contacted in August, and the winners will be announced at the BAPO Awards ceremony (date and location to be confirmed).

Please provide detailed responses to help our judges evaluate nominees effectively.

Please take the time to share this with your colleagues and wider network to ensure P&O colleagues get the recognition they deserve!

Please stay tuned as more information will follow!

If you are interested in sponsoring an award, please contact enquiries@bapo.com

Nominate here

Please print and display the posters below to raise awareness of the awards and encourage people to nominate.

Orthotics nomination posterDownload
Prosthetics nomination posterDownload

Our Sponsors

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BAPO – New name, new logo

Dr Nicky Eddison

Chair, BAPO

“Changing our name from the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists to the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics is more than a change in words, it’s a reflection of who we are. We are a united, diverse, and compassionate community. This new, inclusive identity recognises the vital contributions of everyone in our profession; technicians, support workers, learners, prosthetists, and orthotists,  and celebrates the collective impact we have in transforming lives.”

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    BAPO welcomes Bex Wilkinson as the new Chair of the Technician Committee

    Dr Nicky Eddison

    Chair, BAPO

    “Bex is a fantastic advocate for P&O technicians. Her passion, energy, and commitment to the profession really stands out. At BAPO, we’re excited to welcome more technicians to the committee with Bex leading the way. We’re here to listen and support what our technician community needs from their professional body”

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      Tech and Trends Webinar – Crispin – Combining 3DP and the Neuromuscular PDE spring

      Details

      This webinar will detail the design and application of the PDE Neuro strut alongside 3D printing the components for the calf, ankle and foot. The aim of the webinar is to fully explain the modularity and adjustability of the orthosis. The main concept is the interchangeable struts that allow the adjustment of the overall orthosis stiffness.

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      BAPO Short Course – Improving Provision of Therapeutic Footwear

      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.