The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

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Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) Careers

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) – how my eyes were opened to these wonderful careers

Physiotherapist and former Health Education England Leadership Fellow Marie-Clare Wadley began filming some of her colleagues – and discovered incredibly rewarding ‘secret’ careers that provide essential support to patients. Here she describes her experience.

For those receiving A-level results and still wondering about their next steps, or looking for inspiration on the Health Education England Health Careers website, the NHS offers a quite amazing range of careers. Ask anyone in the street and some of the most obvious will spring to mind – doctor, nurse, paramedic – but some of the most critical and really rewarding jobs are unlikely to trip off the tongue quite so readily.

How many people even know what an allied health professional is? Well, the term actually refers to 14 different occupations, namely art therapists, dietitians, dramatherapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, osteopaths, paramedics, physiotherapists, podiatrists, prosthetists and orthotists, diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers and speech and language therapists.

I’m a physiotherapist, and when I started out I believed it was the best job ever in health care. I’m a physiotherapist through and through – I get to work with other great professions, both registered and non-registered people who all have the same common goal, and that’s patient-centred care. As my career progressed I started to open my eye and look beyond my own immediate world of work.

I’m a gadget girl – l love looking at life and learning in a different way. I guess being dyslexic made me use other parts of my brain to learn rather than just relying on words –  images, imagination or a Marvel film any day. I used to sit and dream of the time I could just point at the air and create a sequence of exercises in three dimensions.  The idea of a holographic Allied Health Professional came to mind.

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity of an AHP Leadership Fellowship with Health Education England.  This led me on a journey which opened my eyes to just how diverse and special these AHP roles are. Take podiatry, for example. Think about the horrific complications of a diabetic foot ulcer which, if not treated properly and early enough, can lead to drastic outcomes such as amputation. Which leads us on to prosthetists and orthotists – the ones who, if you’ve had an amputation, can guide your recovery by making bespoke equipment to help you walk.

We are all interconnected.  My knowledge really grew when I came up with the idea of making a series of immersive, virtual reality films about the day in the life of an AHP, and it dawned on me that I didn’t really have a clue what these amazing professions did. The first film was Prosthetics and Orthotics in Oxford, where I had worked for years but had never taken the time to discover how important these professions are, even though I have treated many people with amputations over the years. I experienced watching a child be able to kick a ball in the playground with his new orthotics, and seeing a young man who had lost his leg in a road accident perform his traditional street dance Capoeira with his artificial limb brought tears to my eyes.

Watching a combination of technicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and prosthetists assess, support and adjust his limb to reduce the pressure on what was left of his lower leg was captivating – a combination of technology, teamwork, skill and professionalism all wrapped up in a humanistic and caring approach which made me very proud to be an AHP working in the NHS.

Yes, these careers aren’t always at the forefront of people’s minds but they are definitely vital.  Think about therapeutic radiographers, whose precise technique and highly-specialised training helps cure our loved ones of cancer.  And I didn’t even really know what an orthoptist was until I filmed them helping children with visual difficulties and adults with increasing sight loss. I watched their incredible expertise, injecting eyes and pushing to the limit to ensure people with failing sight get the right treatment with the right expert at the right time.

When I started my filming, it was a project. Now it’s a passion, and I want everyone to understand these amazing, rewarding and vital roles. I want people to understand there is far more to the NHS than just doctors and nurses.

AHPs focus on prevention as well as treatment, and if we can stop someone from needing intense medical intervention before it is needed, surely that is where the future of our healthcare lies?

But to do that we need great people.  If you’ve completed your A-levels and are looking for a profession that offers real purpose, wonderful teamwork and the genuine opportunity to change thousands of lives for the better, look no further.  There’s an AHP role for you.

To find out more, take a look at my ground-breaking films and judge for yourself:-

https://hee-vr360.azurewebsites.net/

Marie-Clare is now a leader within the world of virtual reality in health care experiences. She worked alongside virtual reality expert Nick Peres, who is Head of Digital Technologies at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

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Press Release – Footcare Network

Invitation to join the English Diabetes Footcare Network

 

BAPO strongly recommend that Orthotists working in diabetes in England join this new MDT network.

To register for the network, visit edfn.org/register.

The English Diabetes Footcare Network (EDFN) is an online community dedicated to the improvement of diabetes footcare in England. It is supported by both the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists and the College of Podiatry.

The network will encourage the dissemination of best practice, provide a professional forum & support education, offering both webinars and podcasts. The latest news will be shared, alongside monthly newsletters and stage for an annual conference with awards.

It was formed by a group of interested diabetes foot champions, including Christian Pankhurst (Orthotist), Dr Paul Chadwick, Professor Mike Edmonds, Alistair McInnes and Richard Leigh. Together this group has developed a steering group to establish a network across England.

Christian Pankhurst, who is a Clinical Specialist Orthotist within Guy’s & St. Thomas’, said: “This is a long-awaited opportunity to link the clinical networks across the country to provide a multi-disciplinary focus for strategic developments, share best practice and advise relevant stakeholders on matters relating to service delivery and improvements in England for diabetes-related foot and lower limb disease.”

Chair Richard Leigh, who is a Consultant Podiatrist from Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, said: “If you are involved in diabetes footcare, join our network and become part of a new community dedicated to improving care and reducing amputations.

We are passionate about raising the standards of diabetes footcare and believe this network will provide a much-needed platform to share the best ways of working across the country, pick up examples of best practice and provide a single voice for our community.”

 

In England, the development of sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs) and the bids for NHS England Diabetes Fund for multidisciplinary diabetes footcare team (MDFT) transformation, with its focus on foot disease, has led to development of innovations in practice and new ways of working.

However, there was no robust mechanism for sharing these new ways of working across England and the wider UK, with developments and duplication of work occurring at regional levels among the 12 NHS England clinical networks, without their benefit being felt more widely.

In response, a scoping exercise was carried out and the need for a national network was identified.

The network is now launching an ambitious national improvement programme to drive up standards of diabetes footcare in England.

The first meeting of the English Diabetes Footcare Network was held in London at the College of Podiatry in March 2019.

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Call To Action- Student Practice Placements

Our profession needs your help!

With services slowly resuming across the UK, our undergraduate students have been unable to start their placements due to the pandemic. Whilst the universities have continued to offer virtual educational sessions with training officers, clinical placement still remains the keystone to their development and ultimately gaining their qualification.

We are looking for centres for our students for an 8 week block to deliver practice placement experience now.

Please consider- do you currently have a student? Could you accommodate 1 more? Could you work in partnership with another local service? If your service only has clinical cover for 4 days a week, that could still offer a valuable placement with the final day being self-directed study

If you don’t have a student- why not? With support, could you?

Please contact BAPO secretariat for further advice/support and lets get this co-hort through their training.

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Clinical Placement Webinars

To support the Clinical Placement Expansion bid, to inspire ideas and confidence and also ongoing placement expansion Health Education England have produced some quick webinars. They will be recorded and will be available here shortly after  https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/allied-health-professions/helping-ensure-essential-supply-ahps

 

Placement expansion quick wins webinar 1: ‘What are ‘alternative models’ of student supervision and how can we use them to our advantage?’

1630-1700 on 14 July 2020

Presented by Sophie Gay, University of Winchester

The webinar will cover the following concepts:

  • 2:1, 3:1 and Dyad. What do these mean, and what can they look like in your service
  • The benefits of multiple student models – NOT just to increase capacity
  • Overcoming the ‘barriers’ to having students
  • Creating a learning environment – making students a part of the team
  • Quick wins  – what can be done NOW to increase your student capacity whilst maintaining high quality learning experience.

Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OWNmNTcyYjYtMTc4My00OWE2LTk0NmEtMWIxNjc3ZWM3MDg0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ffa7912b-b097-4131-9c0f-d0e80755b2ab%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%224390cd43-72b6-4b6d-9b06-9200d6ff8d5e%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d

 

Placement expansion quick wins webinar 2: What are ‘role emerging placements’  and how can we use them to our advantage?

 1630-1700 on 15 July 2020

 Presented by Dr Rachel Russell, University of Salford

The webinar will cover:

  • What are role emerging placements
  • What do they look like
  • The University of Salford Model
  • The benefits of REPs

Link:  https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YWVlMDcyMWEtZjNmYi00NTJkLWIzODQtZGRhMzJiNTE5MGEz%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ffa7912b-b097-4131-9c0f-d0e80755b2ab%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%224390cd43-72b6-4b6d-9b06-9200d6ff8d5e%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d

 

Placement expansion quick wins webinar 3: What are ‘on-site clinics  and how can we use them to our advantage?

 1630-1700 on 16 July 2020

Presented by: Leah Asante & Peter Roberts, University of Huddersfield

  •  Definition of on site clinics
  • why they are in place
  • benefits
  • how-to guide

 https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZjM0ZTQxNmYtMWYwZi00YmE5LWI3M2EtNWFlN2Q2MmQ0YTZj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ffa7912b-b097-4131-9c0f-d0e80755b2ab%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%224390cd43-72b6-4b6d-9b06-9200d6ff8d5e%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d

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Limb Power Online Fitness

LimbPower is proud to announce that it is running online ‘Adaptive Fitness Fun’ sessions twice a week for children with limb difference. These workout sessions are being run by LimbPower Ambassador Jack Eyers, not only an elite athlete and personal trainer, but also the first amputee to win Mr England.

The sessions take place every Tuesday and Thursday morning at part of the #StayInWorkOut campaign by Sport England to keep England Active. Jack’s sessions will focus on fundamental movement skills, agility, balance, co-ordination and cardio for children; adults can join in too!

Kiera Roche, Chief Executive Officer of LimbPower, says: “The mental and physical health of our children is paramount, particularly during lockdown. Jack’s sessions will help children to get moving, improve their fitness and remain positive during these challenging times. As a parent myself, I know providing this structure twice a week will make a huge difference to children and their families.”

Jack, who is currently training for the Tokyo Paralympic Games selection, is making each session different, focusing some on cardio and others on movement, co-ordination and balance. He explains: “These workouts will help children stay healthy and keep fit. I am passionate about making each session fun and accessible for all, so I look forward to seeing you each Tuesday and Thursday!”

Each work out is 20+ minutes and Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, Session 4 and Session 5 are already available on LimbPower’s YouTube Channel

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UK Assistive Products List

BAPO are a stakeholder partner for a new survey launched by the British Assistive Technology Association in collaboration with the WHO-GATE programme. The UK Assistive Products List survey follows on from the original global survey developed by GATE, to which you may have been asked to contribute.

 

Using the original Assistive Products List as a starting template, we are looking to establish a Priority Assistive Products List specific to the UK. We are therefore asking all BAPO members to respond to the simple survey below to highlight which assistive products you feel are of greatest importance to you and your patients.

 

We would really value your input in this collaborative project and welcome your expertise in what we hope will help improve access to quality assistive products and services in the UK.

 

The UK APL survey can be found here: https://bit.ly/UKAPL

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COVID-19 Psychological First Aid

PHE have launched an updated Psychological First Aid (PFA) digital training module, aimed at all frontline and essential workers and volunteers.

The course aims to increase awareness and confidence to provide psychosocial support to people affected by COVID-19.  PFA is a globally recognised training in emergency situations and we have developed this new course as part of our national incident response, and in partnership with NHS England, Health Education England, FutureLearn and E-Learning for Health.

The course is free, and no previous qualifications are required. It takes around 90 minutes to complete and is also available in three sessions for the learner to complete at their own pace. By the end of the course, outcomes will include: understanding how emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect us, recognising people who may be at increased risk of distress and understanding how to offer practical and emotional support.

To register click: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-first-aid-covid-19/1

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Dementia Webinars

The AHP Dementia Webinar Team have worked on some new webinars on supporting patients. The following is a message from them including links to register for the webinars

Let’s stay connected: Allied Health Professionals using digital technology to stay connected with people living with dementia or supporting a person with dementia

In these times of change we have all had to adapt to how we stay connected to each other and those we support. Our series of webinars by allied health professionals during dementia awareness week in Scotland, will provide an overview of how we CAN support you if you are living with dementia or supporting a person with dementia. There will be an opportunity to ask questions throughout and during the Q and A section of the webinar. Everyone is welcome to join us

 

Please register for our first webinar of the week called :

Enhancing lives through technology –  AHP Dementia Webinar Series on June 1st, 2020 3:30 PM at:

 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2873201311764537870

Register for our second webinar called :

Connecting People, Connecting Support Online – AHP Dementia Webinar on June 2nd, 2020 3:30 PM at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3784036744214367758

 

Please register for our third webinar called:

Staying physically active during Covid – AHP Dementia Webinar on June 3rd, 2020 3:30 PM at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/39188101091162382

 

Please register for our final webinar  called:

Supporting people to eat and drink well with dementia – AHP Dementia Webinar on June 5th, 2020 3:30 PM at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/963319927655393038

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Workforce Survey

Thanks to those who have responded to our ‘Workforce Survey’. This poll has been designed to get a perspective on members experiences and, through comments, their views on the current Covid-19 crisis; providing the opportunity to explain how this has affected them, the services where they work and patients they treat.

In responding to the crisis BAPO are engaging with patient/user groups and stakeholder bodies, and are seeking out concerns raised by their members. In addition we are also reaching out to the national P&O managers groups and employers to clarify if there is a shared position in response to the crisis.

Initial issues which have been raised include:-

  1. Unclear position on urgent care being offered
  2. Unclear provision for growth in children who depend on an orthosis or prosthesis
  3. What pathways will be available to those not be able to obtain a prothesis or orthosis?
  4. What are the plans to manage access once services resume (including how will the backlog be prioritised and will social distancing impact on capacity)?
  5. How can parents/users access advice (including access to remote advice and information)?

 

We aim to collate the returned initial views and opinions by Friday and then draw on those to produce initial guidelines for all stakeholders. This is so that they can be used to advise and signpost clinicians, managers, carers, parents and service users.

As a follow up we plan to organise a webinar for the week of May 4th to communicate with service users and stakeholders; to share those guidelines. BAPO will now aim to develop a consensus on the best way to manage the current challenges and those which will emerge as P&O clinical services reboot.

 

Best wishes

Lynne

Lynne Rowley

Chair BAPO