The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics

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Postcode Lottery

Postcode lottery for NHS orthotics patients

Specialist orthotics care for patients with mobility issues varies significantly depending on where they live, new research by Staffordshire University reveals.

The findings, published on BMJ Open, have uncovered major differences across orthotics services at various NHS trusts and health boards.

Problems within orthotic service provision in the UK have been the focus of a number of reports by the NHS and other organisations.  An NHS report from 2014 highlighted that many patients experienced long waiting times which could lead to the development of secondary health complications.

Professor Chockalingam and colleagues at Staffordshire University based their research on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent to all NHS trusts and Health Boards in the UK. The survey scrutinises information on Finance, Service Provision, Staffing, Complaints, and Outcome measures and key performance indicators (KPIs).

The results highlight large variances in the length of appointments, appointment waiting times, product entitlements for patients, and product lead times. Certain geographical areas were found to provide shorter waiting times and wider access to assistive devices. The findings also reflect there is more information available on the quantity of service above the quality of service.

The findings showed that:

  • average and maximum waiting times for adult appointments were 7 and 34 weeks, respectively.
  • Scotland seems to fair better in all of the reported measures. Patients in Scotland have longer appointment times and the average waiting times are lower.
  • some Trusts are not fully accommodating the needs of children

Nachiappan Chockalingam, Professor of Clinical Biomechanics at Staffordshire University, explained: “Within the NHS, the Orthotics Service is poorly understood and low in priority lists. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the current state of provision to ensure that services are capable of meeting future demands.

“In 2011, a report estimated there were 2m orthotics users in England and assistive devices including wrist splints, custom footwear, foot and ankle support, back and neck braces are needed to alleviate pain, help patients recovering from injury and those with chronic conditions.

“In future, there will be an increased demand for orthotics services because of the projected population growth, the aging population and the rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases.”

Dr Aoife Healy who co-authored this study added: “Our results highlight that some of the Trusts appeared to not accommodate the needs of children fully. Waiting times of 20 weeks for routine and 8.2 weeks for urgent appointments are unacceptable”.

The researchers hope that these findings will prompt the NHS to instigate its own evaluation of services across the country.  Ms Lynne Rowley, Chair of British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) said: “We welcome this study, which clearly showcases the inequalities across orthotic service provision in the UK. BAPO has been aware of this issue and has been working with NHS England. However, this study is timely and provides a push in the right direction.”

However, the combination of the number of Trusts and Health Boards who declined to reply to the FOI request and those who replied with limited information hindered the team’s ability to provide a national picture of Orthotic Service provision.

Professor Chockalingam added: “The UK NHS needs to establish appropriate processes to record the quality of service provision since this will enable improvements in clinical management and ensure good value for money.”

Read the full paper http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028186 here.

BAPO’s Patron

Our Patron – Alex Brooker

The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) is proud to continue its longstanding relationship with Alex Brooker, who has served as our Patron for several years. His enduring support and advocacy have played a vital role in raising the profile of the prosthetics and orthotics professions and in promoting the needs and voices of individuals who rely on these life-enhancing services.

Alex Brooker is a well-known journalist, television presenter, and comedian, widely recognised for his impactful work during Channel 4’s coverage of the 2012 London Paralympics and as a long-standing co-host on the popular TV show ‘The Last Leg’. Beyond his public persona, Alex brings a deeply personal connection to the field. Born with limb differences and having undergone a leg amputation during childhood, Alex has firsthand experience navigating the prosthetic and orthotic landscape. His lived experience, combined with his professional platform, uniquely positions him as a powerful and authentic advocate for the community we serve.

Over the years, Alex has used his voice and visibility to challenge outdated stereotypes and shift public perceptions around disability and limb difference. Through his work in the media, he has helped normalise conversations about disability, often using humour to disarm stigma and foster understanding. His contributions have inspired countless individuals—service users and clinicians alike—and continue to reflect BAPO’s mission to “empower the profession to enable the user.”

Alex’s ongoing patronage represents more than just a symbolic role. It embodies a shared commitment to inclusion, dignity, and innovation within the prosthetics and orthotics sectors. He exemplifies the ideals of empowerment, resilience, and self-advocacy, and his continued involvement with BAPO has amplified our message, helped engage the wider public, and supported our drive to shape a more inclusive and accessible future.

As we look to the future, BAPO remains deeply grateful for Alex’s continued dedication and partnership. His voice, passion, and visibility remain invaluable to our organisation, and we look forward to many more years of collaborative work in advancing awareness, support, and excellence in prosthetic and orthotic care.

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HCPC Visitor

We are seeking Prosthetists/Orthotists to undertake the role of Visitor.

What do Visitors do?
Tracey Samuel-Smith, HCPC Education Manager explains ‘Visitors are responsible for visiting and assessing existing and proposed education and training programmes delivered by education providers.
Visitors make a real difference to the work we do. There is the opportunity to get involved and help to safeguard people using our registrant’s services by ensuring education and training programmes meet our standards. Visitors also provide recommendations to the HCPC’s Education and Training Committee regarding the approval of programmes.’

Visitors must be current registrants and should have an understanding of Quality Assurance in Higher/Further Education or a clinical environment, as well as teaching, learning and assessment in an educational or clinical environment. We in particular invite those who are currently experienced in supervising students in their current workplace to apply for this role.

We pay a rate of £202 per day and £81 for a review. Any travel and accommodation expenses are paid in accordance with the HCPC Expenses Policy.

We expect visitors to commit to around 5 days per year. The length and notice for providing services are variable and can fit most diary commitments and working patterns.

If you are successful, you will be required to attend mandatory training prior to commencing your role.

The HCPC is committed to equality of opportunity and actively guards against unfair discrimination on any grounds (including sexual orientation, religion or beliefs, race, sex, age, gender reassignment, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity or disability).

Closing date for applications: 05 June at 10am
Tentative interview dates: 15 and 16 July, and w/c 22 July
Compulsory training day:: 28 and 29 November 2019

Advert for P/O VisitorDownload

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Doctoral School Opportunities

Up to 10 fully funded, four-year PhD studentships are available in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics, commencing in October 2019. The CDT in Prosthetics and Orthotics will build a world leading engineering and physical science workforce to help ensure that “no one is left behind”.

The CDT provides training that supports exciting careers in a global healthcare industry that meets the needs of diverse user groups and stakeholders. The CDT combines expertise from the University of Salford, Imperial College London, University of Strathclyde and the University of Southampton, with more than 25 industry partners and national facilities. Our industry partners estimate a demand for our graduates is measured in the hundreds.

Key elements of the EPSRC CDT in Prosthetics & Orthotics include:

•             Ambitious PhD projects that blend high quality training with practical experiences that enhance employability.

•             Training in research skills relevant to prosthetics, orthotics and the wider healthcare technology industry.

•             Integrated training in engineering, physical, medical and clinical sciences, as well as business, entrepreneurial and other professional skills.

•             Opportunities to work on research projects directly with industry and users, and understand the journey from user need to product or service implementation. Interested? For more information of this exciting opportunity please visit https://www.salford.ac.uk/research/doctoral-training-in-prosthetics-and-orthotic/home or email CDT@Salford.ac.uk. Applications close at 4pm 20th May 2019.

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HCPC Advert

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is a regulator of health and care professionals and our aim is to protect the public. To do this, we keep a register of health, psychological and social work professionals who meet our standards for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health.

Registrant Council Member x 3

We are seeking to appoint three registrant members of our Council.

Remuneration: £12,000 annual allowance

Time requirement: Minimum of 30 days per annum

You will have experience of strategic and collective decision-making, as well as the ability to develop strong relationships and be able to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in all of the HCPC’s activities. You will share the organisation’s central commitment to public protection.

You must be a current HCPC registrant to apply for these roles*. Full details of eligibility are set out in the candidate information pack.

The HCPC is committed to equality of opportunity and actively guards against unfair discrimination on any grounds (including sexual orientation, religion or beliefs, race, sex, age or disability). We are a UK-wide regulator and encourage applicants from all countries of the UK.

How to apply


For more information, and to apply, visit: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/council-recruitment/ or contact: appointments@hcpc-uk.org 020 7840 9170. 

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 20 May 2019 and interviews will be held on Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 June 2019.

For more information about the work of the HCPC visit: www.hcpc-uk.org *The regulation of social workers in England will transfer to a new body in late 2019, applications from social worker registrants will not be progressed.

HCPC Advertisement 2019Download

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NHS Improvement – Clinical Leadership

NHS Improvement has today published Clinical leadership – a framework for action, endorsed by the Allied Health Professions Federation. The framework looks at approaches organisations can take to encourage and enable more clinicians from all disciplines to pursue senior strategic leadership positions.

This document has been developed by a cross-directorate project team within NHS Improvement, as part of a wider programme of work following recommendations from the Government’s report: Barriers and enablers for clinicians moving into senior leadership roles: review report to the SoS for H&SC.

The guide includes 3 examples of AHPs in strategic senior roles – including Rachel McKeown (@Rachel66Mckeown), Clare Boobyer-Jones (@ClareBoobyerMPH) and Shane DeGaris (@Shanedegaris), including their associated case studies. There are only 11 case examples in the whole document, so AHPs have a very high profile within this national document. The guide and framework also reaffirms the recommendation from the June 2018 document, ‘AHP Leadership in Trusts in England: What exists and what matters’, which asked Trust boards to consider appointing a senior strategic AHP lead.

The key messages:

• The NHS Long Term Plan highlights the importance of visible senior clinical leadership in enabling and assuring the delivery of high quality care both within organisations and in the new system architecture.
• Allied health professionals, doctors, midwives, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, healthcare scientists and social workers can all potentially contribute to strategic leadership but we need to look at career structures and expectations that may currently stand in their way.
• The framework has been developed through discussions with clinicians exploring some of the barriers and enablers they identify when moving into senior leadership positions.
• We want organisations to do more to actively involve clinicians in their leadership groups.
• Evidence suggests that professionally diverse teams are better equipped to meet the complex challenges facing the NHS.
• NHS Improvement’s ‘Clinical leadership – a framework for action’ highlights approaches organisations can take to encourage clinicians from all disciplines to pursue senior leadership positions. The framework is accompanied by a range of case studies in which clinicians from a range of disciplines share their own experience of the journey to senior leadership roles. As you will see, the guide includes three specific AHP case studies.

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#WeAHPs – Student take over

@WeAHPs (https://twitter.com/WeAHPs) is being taken over by AHP students from the 8th of October for one week to highlight the benefits of social media supported by the HCPC guidance. The week will include discussions to help build a supportive network where students can learn and share ideas as well as ask questions to existing students and professionals.

Additionally, the other topics for the week will include: balancing placement and academic work, well-being/self-care, leadership, networking, taking advantage of opportunities and looking at what it means to be an allied health professional – especially important in the run up to AHP’s Day the following Monday (15th October).

 

Our Aims of the week:

  • Increase student’s confidence in using social media in a positive and professional capacity.
  • Build a strong, inclusive and supportive student and professional network.
  • Learn and share ideas together in an easy and accessible manner.

 

Timetable for the week:

Monday

  • Welcome to the ‘WeCommunities’ and @WeAHPs
  • Introduction of the We Community and how to get started with your own ‘MyWe’
  • Who/what are AHPs
  • Importance of AHPs Day
  • Sharing of ‘Day in the life of a…’ videos from students and staff
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘Who are AHPs and what is AHPs Day about’ – Hosted by @SarahBradder

Tuesday

  • Pros and cons of social media
  • Day time Q&A’s – Your opportunity to ask questions
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘HCPC guidance and social media’ – Hosted by @Julie_bolter

Wednesday

  • Managing workload
  • Videos and infographics from the #150Leaders on their experiences of juggling workload and placements
  • Sharing helpful apps, journaling, organising techniques etc.
  • Discuss students’ biggest fears/concerns starting placement/starting assignments etc 

Thursday

  • A day to explore…
    • Introduction to leadership
    • Why network?
    • Do we need to build resilience and if so how?
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘Emotional intelligence and leadership’ – Hosted by @puppyflanagan

Friday

  • Celebration of AHP students’ achievements
  • More about AHPs Day
  • Discussions, videos and tweets about students’ experiences of extra curriculum opportunities
  • Sign-posting to opportunities for students
  • Evening tweetchat – ‘Opportunities available for students: where to find them and how to make the most of them’ – Hosted by @AliBooker_LBU

Research Committee

The Research Committee deals with research activities related to the prosthetics and orthotics profession. Their work provides a platform to enable a research culture within the prosthetic and orthotic profession. Its main aim is to help increase research capacity and capability within prosthetics and orthotics and enable BAPO members to develop and conduct clinically relevant research.

For more information please look at the BAPO Research Strategy and for other documentation and information about funding opportunities keep an eye on the Research Resources page.

If you would like to join the Research Committee, apply here

Anushika Dayananda

COMMITTEE CHAIR

HCPC-Registered Orthotist with over 8 years of combined experience in prosthetics and orthotics across both Sri Lanka and the UK. I began my career in Sri Lanka, working in government hospitals and private rehabilitation centres, before moving to the UK and gaining clinical experience within the NHS orthotics service. I hold an MSc in Prosthetics, Orthotics & Rehabilitation Studies and have contributed to clinical practice, research, service improvement, and education. I am currently practising as an Orthotist in Cambridge, UK. My research interests focus mainly on musculoskeletal and diabetic foot care, as well as empowering patient-facing support workers.

    Renad Albasri

    COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIR

    Renad is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Her research focuses on improving AFO prescription following stroke, with the aim of strengthening the evidence base that supports orthotic decision-making and translating research findings into practical clinical guidance. She is committed to advancing evidence-based practice in orthotics and is keen to contribute to the BAPO Research Committee in support of high-quality research and professional development across the profession.

      Natalie Chinn

      COMMITTEE MEMBER

      I qualified as a Prosthetist/Orthotist BSc (hons) at the University of Salford in 2017 and recently completed a Masters by Research in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering and Human Movement Science. The focus of my research is upper limb prosthetics, adolescents and sport. I am a member of The Salford Institute of Human Movement and Rehabilitation and am committed to developing as a clinical Prosthetist who undertakes research.

        Laura Barr

        COMMITTEE MEMBER

        Laura graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2007 and works as an Advanced Practitioner within the Orthotic and Orthopaedic services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Laura has a specialist interest in musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and ankle, she holds a NRS Careers Research Fellowship and is currently undertaking a PhD. She has taught internationally and extensively throughout the UK on the subject of orthotic management, and is passionate about supporting other clinicians in their career development.

          Paul Charlton

          COMMITTEE MEMBER

          Qualifying with a Diploma in Orthotics from Salford in 1983 I have always been a clinician with an interest in research. This led to doing a Masters in 2008 whilst chairman of ISPO UK and invitations to be part of a number of European funded research projects. However, it was more recently, when trying to get funding to enter more formally into independent research that I understood the complexity of gaining funding and how the academic and research world functions. The difficulty I encountered in getting NIHR funding gave me the idea of creating a group to support other BAPO members to access a career in research and promote research by members of our profession.

            Selina Ross

            COMMITTEE MEMBER

            I recently graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2025, and have since been working full-time as a Graduate Orthotist in Lincolnshire with Talarmade. Alongside this role, I am undertaking part-time Masters-level study and have begun presenting at professional conferences. I have an interest in Orthotic biomechanics, particularly in relation to foot and ankle musculoskeletal conditions, and I am eager to continue developing my clinical and research skills within this area.

              Eileen Morrow

              COMMITTEE MEMBER

              Eileen Morrow is a clinical academic orthotist and NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, specialising in paediatric orthopaedic research. Her DPhil research (the CELLOS study) focuses on improving research for children undergoing elective lower limb orthopaedic surgery. Eileen provides national leadership in strengthening research capacity within prosthetics and orthotics, championing the role of prosthetists and orthotists as leaders in research that informs clinical practice and policy. She previously served as Chair of the BAPO Research Committee and brings extensive clinical and academic leadership experience to the Association.

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                Bulletin Aug 2018

                BAPO’s August 2018 Email Bulletin

                Short Courses

                Need to improve your Anatomy knowledge?

                Learn by seeing rather than a dusty book then this is your unique opportunity?

                BAPO in collaboration with HARC is proud to offer you the chance to attend two short courses that combine work in the anatomy lab and revision in the classroom.

                 Anatomy – Upper Limb & Spinal Prosection

                7th September – HARC Liverpool

                 

                Anatomy – Fresh Frozen Dissection

                20th/21st November – HARC Liverpool

                 

                Also available to book now:

                Orthotic Treatment of Stroke – A Biomechanical Approach to Motor Learning

                20th October – Peacocks Medical, Newcastle

                 

                BOOK NOW AS SPACES ARE LIMITED!

                For more information on the above courses see the calendar

                 We are planning on running 2 MSK courses, in October and November – We are looking for venues/locations.  If you haven’t attended an MSK yet and would like to, please contact us so we can determine which is the best location.

                 

                P&O Outreach Officer Recruited

                Ali Woodhouse started with BAPO as part of the SIHED programme to market prosthetics and orthotics in the UK to prospective students.

                Ali has visited NHS and commercial prosthetic and orthotic clinics in Scotland and London and met with the programme lead and head of school at Salford University. She is working with the other profession outreach officers and marketing company to develop a marketing campaign for P&O in the UK. See issue 3 of BAPOConnect for more details.
                Case Studies Requested from Public Health England

                Public Health England are looking for case studies from AHP’s who have completed a project or local initiative focused on improving population health and reducing health inequalities.

                We would love to capture the great work you are doing to include as part of the AHP Public Health strategy impact report.

                Contact: sammer.tang@phe.gov.uk to enquire or see his tweet for more information, including case study template.
                SIHED Programme Recruit P&O Practice Placement and Apprenticeship Development Post

                BAPO would like to welcome Dr Beverley Durrant in her new role at Salford University to increase the workforce capacity for P&O practice placements, aligning traditional degree level education with contemporary degree level apprenticeships. We look forward to working with you this year.

                See Issue 3 BAPOConnect for the full press release.

                 

                Launch of NHS England MSK Framework

                Skills for Health with Health Education England, NHS England, Public Health England and the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance ( ARMA ) have launched a new framework aimed at practitioners who will be the first point of contact for people with musculoskeletal conditions.  Please click here to view
                #AHPDay 15th October

                Get Involved!

                Calling all P&O’s to have a look at their local Trust and see what’s happening on 15th October, 2018 and get involved. Plans are coming together at a national and local level. BAPO has committed to support this initiative and have created marketing materials for our members to promote AHP’s and P&O.

                Contact the BAPO office with your local plans and see what we can do to help. 0141 561 7217

                 

                Prosthetic Service Review

                NHS England is responsible for planning and buying specialised services for people who need complex disability equipment. This includes all major upper and lower limb amputees and people with congenital limb deficiencies who have a potential to use prosthesis to help them mobilise or improve upper limb function.

                As part of the review into specialised prosthetics services, we held two meetings in June with staff working in prosthetics centres across the country, to understand issues with current service provision that we need to address. There was a strong consensus on the key hopes for the review – and over the next few months NHS England will be setting out what we need to do to start achieving these outcomes in the next three years.

                •           All patients should have equal access to high quality care.

                •           We need consistent guidelines and equitable policies that are transparently applied and monitored.

                •           We need to have a payment system that fairly recompenses activity, where money follows the patient.

                •           Success should be measured by outcomes and patient satisfaction, rather than activity.

                We would now like to explore some of the issues that have been raised to better understand views and experiences of patients and carers, and we have set up a patient survey so that people can share their feedback with us. The survey is open until 19 September 2018. Please do share this link with other people you feel may be willing to tell us about their experience using prosthetics services. Click here for the link and survey

                In addition we would be happy to discuss these questions with patient groups – so if you are holding a group over the next few months, or have ideas how we can engage with patients and carers, please do let us know by contacting the team at england.npoc-trauma@nhs.net

                 

                Launch of NICE into Action webinar series for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)

                Evaluating, improving and evidencing the impact of AHP services in health, care and wellbeing is a priority for AHPs into Action (link below), so I’m delighted to share the launch of our NICE into Action webinars.

                This series of four webinars from NHS Improvement, NICE and NHS England will help AHPs to:

                • understand and engage with NICE’s work
                • influence guideline development
                • take structured approaches to implementing guidelines and using quality standards
                • support greater uptake of NICE guidance to improve care and outcomes for patients and service-users.

                 

                For links and more information see the news bulletin

                 

                Workforce profile of all AHP’s across North of England

                Based in the North of England? – please take 5 mins to complete the survey below

                Manchester Metropolitan University are working on a project with Health Education England that will result in the development of a workforce profile of all Allied Health Professions across the North of England. This will help HEE and its partners to support effective workforce planning to address shortages in AHP and to capitalise on the opportunities the AHP workforce can bring.

                As part of this study, we are conducting an online survey to capture the views of AHPs themselves. This survey poses a number of questions about different areas of your working life and experiences of working within your profession. Please help us with this important piece of research to ensure that the views of your AHP profession are heard.

                The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. You can access the survey by clicking here

                If you would like any further information about this project, please contact Dr Sarah Crozier s.crozier@mmu.ac.uk

                 
                Multi-professional Perspectives of Assessment and Management of Paediatric Flat Foot

                 

                I am writing on behalf of my MSc Pre-Registration Podiatry students from University of Brighton. MSc Pre-Registration Podiatry Students from University of Brighton are undertaking a survey looking at multi-professional perspectives of assessment and management of paediatric flat foot.  They are looking for paediatric physiotherapists, orthotists and podiatrists to complete the survey.

                 

                It is a short survey which will take about 15 minutes to complete.  The survey is anonymous and will not involve the collection of any personal information.  The survey has been approved by the School of the Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee.

                Click on the here to complete survey.

                 
                MSc Research Project about AHPs

                Please could you complete the below survey for Christina Goulaki;

                My name is Christina Goulaki. On the background of being a qualified Speech & Language Therapist, I am currently an MSc Management with Human Resource Management student at Birkbeck, University of London.

                I am in the process of completing my research project. My project aims to study the ways in which Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in the NHS perceive their role in Human Resource Management – a role that entails a range of non-clinical responsibilities (e.g. recruitment, performance management) which often increase as an AHP’s career progresses within the Service.

                Click here to complete the survey

                 

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                Lower Limb Dissection Course

                BAPO are pleased to announce a brand new two-day course which offers a unique experience through practical dissection of the lower limb. Delegates will work in pairs under the careful guidance of academic staff at the Human Anatomy Resource Centre, University of Liverpool to explore the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous system of the lower limb.

                This event aims to equip clinicians with the knowledge of lower limb anatomy required to effectively treat various pathologies in clinical practice.

                In detail delegates will begin the day by attending a lecture delivered by a resident academic to refresh their lower limb knowledge and to learn basic dissection techniques. Following this delegates will be assigned to a lower limb which they will spend the following 2 days dissecting. A hands on dissection will allow a prolonged, layer by layer, study of the lower limb, allowing a much deeper and wider understanding of the anatomical relationships of the various structures. Delegates will be guided by experienced anatomists and will be free to view previously dissected lower limbs and models and anatomical software will also be available to help on the day.

                Please download the information flyer for further information and booking details: Lower Limb Dissection November 2018 Flyer