The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics

Education

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BAPO – Teatime Talk – Cosmesis Counts: The Case for Aesthetic Design in Prosthetic Practice

Satisfaction with the aesthetic appearance of a prosthetic limb is an important factor associated with psychosocial adjustment following an amputation. This TeaTime talk will explore aesthetic design alternatives for upper and lower limb prostheses, drawing upon principles from product development to help us understand how specific product properties (design elements) can elicit different emotional responses from users.

We will also reflect upon recent work exploring the psychosocial impact of lower limb prosthetic design, ending the session with some reflection over factors that may influence an individual preferences.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Criteria for Success in New Patients with MPKs – A Service Evaluation

Microprocessor knees (MPKs) have been available on the NHS for established prosthetic users since April, 2017. Observations at our centre in an established cohort saw patients decreasing risk of falls and improving energy expenditure, alongside other physical and psychological benefits. This raised the question of whether MPKs should be considered for new post-amputation patients who also meet the NHS inclusion criteria (Clinical Commissioning Policy, 2016).

 

My poster aims to review one service’s experience with prescribing MPK’s to patients as their first prosthetic prescription to determine what selection criteria might ensure successful MPK use at 12 months.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Embedding Sustainable Practices into P&O

This session explores practical ways to embed sustainability into everyday prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) practice. It will highlight how clinicians, technicians, companies, support workers and services can reduce environmental impact through smarter material choices, waste reduction, recycling initiatives, and greener clinical processes—all while maintaining high-quality patient care. Drawing from ongoing work within the NHS and BAPO’s sustainability plan, the talk will share real examples, lessons learned, and opportunities for collective action across the profession. Attendees will leave with practical ideas and inspiration to integrate sustainability into their own clinical and organisational settings

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Progressing Practice-based learning as the future of our profession

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Join us for an interactive Teatime Talk where we will discuss practice-based learning (PrBL), and how learning opportunities develop the future of our profession.

 

This engaging session is aimed at all members of the prosthetic and orthotic workforce. If you are just starting your career, have years of clinical experience or are somewhere in between, we want to hear your views and ideas. We encourage participation in discussion for an “All teach, all learn” approach.

We will explore and discuss how practice-based learning can drive innovation and strengthen the future Prosthetics and Orthotics workforce.

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BAPO Teatime Talk – Unified Approach to Footdrop

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Physiotherapists and Orthotists share a clinical commitment to the management of footdrop. However, there is often a bias in their respective approaches. Physiotherapists are often more focused on the swing phase and achieving toe clearance. This is reflected in their use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). Orthotists appear to Physiotherapists to be more focused on stance and this is reflected in their (perceived) preference for AFOs. This Teamtime talk scopes out how the two disciplines can work more collaboratively to achieve better clinical outcomes.

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Tech and Trends Webinar – Powering Movement: How SpryStep Agilik transforms Mobility

Details
Introducing SpryStep® Agilik™ – an innovative, microprocessor powered KAFO, featuring a composite design strut. We will examine how this new technology can positively influence stance phase stability and provide powered assistance during the swing phase. Interested on how this can influence patient outcomes, we will examine potential patient groups and show some examples of patient case studies to better examine this exciting new technology.
 
During this session, we will:
– Introduce the Bionic Power and Thuasne® collaboration.
– Provide a brief overview of the evolution of orthotic solutions for patients with significant neuromuscular deficits.
– Explore the Agilik™ Technology- what is it and how does it work?
– Explain how Thuasne®’s composite materials knowledge and Agilik™ can be used to optimise biomechanical principles.
– Discuss outcome measures and potential long-term benefit of using the Agilik™.
– Review some case studies and the outcomes of the SpryStep® Agilik™ on patients with neuromuscular weakness.

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BAPO Bitesize

Coming February 2026

Introducing BAPO Bitesize – launching February 2026! We’re excited to unveil a brand-new online, on-demand education resource from the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO). BAPO Bitesize brings you concise, accessible learning designed to support CPD, spark new ideas, and keep you up-to-date with best practice in prosthetics and orthotics—anytime, anywhere.

📅 Arriving February

🎓 Learn at your pace

💡 Built for the P&O community

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Enhanced Practice Mythbusting

🔍 Enhanced Practice: Clearing up the confusion

Swipe through the graphic to see a few myths busted about what Enhanced Practice really is in Prosthetics and Orthotics.

👀 Myth 1: It’s a job title
Reality: It’s a level of capability across the four pillars of practice. It’s about how you apply knowledge and skills every day.

📚 Myth 2: Off the job training means time away from clinic
Reality: Most learning happens in your usual patient facing role. What matters is how you evidence new behaviours.

🎓 Myth 3: The Salford PGCert is only for band 6, NHS or full-time staff
Reality: The course is open to NHS and private providers and part time applicants. Banding does not define access.

🌍 Myth 4: Enhanced Practice only applies in England
Reality: The apprenticeship route is England based, but the direct entry route is open to applicants from anywhere.

🚀 Why it matters
Enhanced Practice focuses on real world capability and can be a stepping stone toward Advanced Practice.

Enhanced Practice Mythbusting (1)Download

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First year learners at Strathclyde and Salford Universities receive BAPO goody bags

This week, first-year prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) students at the University of Salford and the University of Strathclyde received their BAPO “Welcome to the Profession” goody bags, marking an exciting start to their journey into the P&O community. 🦾📚

The packs are designed to introduce students to the profession early, providing useful tools, resources, and a sense of connection with the professional body from the outset. Students shared what they loved most:

University of Salford:
💬 “Having an awareness so early into my career is invaluable.”
💬 “Makes you feel more connected to the industry and a part of the community before you are qualified.”
💬 “Insight into the industry, connections, benefits, and a team of assistance.”

University of Strathclyde:
💬 “I love the useful tools like the tape measure and goniometer — they’ll be helpful in our patient assessments.”
💬 “The water bottle was a nice touch.”
💬 “The resources about mentorship and what is available through BAPO are really helpful.”

Receiving these packs helps students build confidence, develop practical skills, and feel part of the P&O professional community from day one.

BAPO is proud to support the next generation of prosthetists and orthotists as they embark on their learning journey. 💙

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AHP Dementia Webinar 10th December 2025 – Connecting you to support The Balance System© in dementia. Innovation and Improvement in Action

Warm invitation to join the National AHP Dementia Webinar series – sharing practice, connecting people, connecting support.  

The webinar will be held on MSTeams 

“Connecting you to support. The Balance System© in dementia. Innovation and Improvement in Action”- AHP Dementia Webinar on 10th December 2025, 3:30 -4:30pm

Join us to hear the learning and impact in practice from two areas of Scotland when AHP services have implemented the Balance System© approach to support people with dementia to live well. 

Guest Speakers :  

Carolyn MacDonald, Chief AHP Officer Scottish Government 

Marie Gascoigne, Better Communication CIC

Kate Lowson, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde 

Vivienne Thomson,  NHS Forth Valley

Follow the link to register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b49a2b3f-2b6b-4999-b17a-e4cbb9598bc8@10efe0bd-a030-4bca-809c-b5e6745e499a 

You can listen again to any of our previous AHP Dementia webinars by following this link: www.alzscot.org/community-support/allied-health-professionals/ 

(scroll down webpage to find the webinar links)