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News
BAPO sponsors award at the 2024 Advancing Healthcare Awards
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) is sponsoring the Inspirational Innovators in Prosthetics and Orthotics award in the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024 for the second year.
The Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024 is an annual event that aims to recognise and reward projects and professionals in the healthcare science and allied health professions (AHPs) that lead innovative healthcare practices and make a real difference in patients’ lives.
AHPs, healthcare scientists, and those who work alongside them in support roles across the UK are invited to enter the Advancing Healthcare Awards to recognise excellence and partnership working across the professions.
Commenting on the sponsorship of an award at the Advancing Healthcare Awards, BAPO’s Chair, Peter Iliff, said: “BAPO is delighted to sponsor an award to recognise inspirational innovators in prosthetics and orthotics in the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024. Prosthetics and orthotics are the smallest AHP profession, yet they make a hugely significant impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.”
The BAPO-sponsored award is open to all UK-registered prosthetists and orthotists, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, and support workers. Nominations can be made for yourself or a colleague. The prosthetics and orthotics award aims to recognise and reward the vital contribution of the workforce, and those who have inspired the prosthetics and orthotics community through innovation, leadership, clinical excellence, passion, and research excellence.
Entries can be made until 7th February 2024.
The awards will be presented at a live ceremony on 26 April 2024 at the Victoria Park Plaza in London.
There are a variety of awards that are open to AHPs and healthcare scientists including:
AWARDS OPEN TO BOTH AHPs AND HEALTHCARE SCIENTISTS
• The Welsh Government’s award for value-based care: maximising the expertise of healthcare scientists and allied health professionals to improve patient outcomes
• The award for outstanding achievement by an apprentice, support worker, or non-registered technician in an AHP or healthcare science service
• The Rising Star Award sponsored by Chamberlain Dunn
• The Award for Creative and Innovative Practice
AWARDS OPEN TO AHPS
• The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists award for Inspirational Innovators in Prosthetics and Orthotics
• The AHP Clinical Leadership award
• The Northern Ireland Government’s award for Partnering, Leading, and Shaping to improve population health
OVERALL WINNER:
• The judges select the overall winner from the category winners.
Enter a nominee here: https://aha.awardsplatform.com/
For more information and to make an entry visit: www.AHAwards.co.uk/uk/
https://ahawards.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AHA-awards-2024_info-sheet__.pdf
A message from last year’s winner, Clara Bailey, Orthotist
Hi, I was the winner of the AHA British Association of Prosthetist and Orthotists (BAPO) Award for inspirational innovators last year.
Do you have a colleague that deserves to be nominated? Maybe they are working to develop new processes to improve the patient experience or are working on a project to develop a new product. They might be working with an allied profession to ultimately improve the O&P outcomes for either the patient or the orthotist or prosthetist. It may be part of their “day” job, or it may be a project that runs alongside it. They may be working as an individual or part of a team.
Nominating a colleague or team of colleagues is a great way to raise awareness of their work, as well as make them feel recognised and appreciated. This can increase their confidence in the work they do.
Receiving my award definitely contributed to me finally being brave enough to publish my book “Improving the Fit of Therapeutic Footwear” which has generated interest and feedback beyond my wildest expectations. I was a guest speaker at the BAPO conference in Farnborough and have had the chance to speak to many people about the issues relating to footwear provision, enforcing the importance of the work I have been doing. I also feel the award further substantiates me as the presenter of my CPD-accredited footwear course.
The award itself is presented at a fantastic ceremony and I was fortunate to attend and share the experience of being treated like VIP’s with my admin colleague Tracey, whose hard work behind the scenes allows me to achieve what I do. It was great to meet so many inspirational people there and to hear about what they have achieved in their services.
I would really encourage you to nominate your deserving colleague. They will be very grateful.
NICE: Interventional Procedures: New Guidance in development: IP692/2 Direct skeletal fixation of limb or digit prostheses using intraosseous transcutaneous implants
NICE are consulting on Interventional Procedures Guidance: IP692/2 Direct skeletal fixation of limb or digit prostheses using intraosseous transcutaneous implants soon. You can provide input initially by contributing your views on the procedure via an Professional Expert questionnaire, please email BAPO with any comments by 22/11/23
Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2023 – Health in an Ageing Society
Professor Chris Whitty’s annual report has been published and recommends actions to improve quality of life for older adults and prioritise areas with the fastest growth in older people.
BAPO provided a report with an overview of how P&O can support health in an ageing society and is referenced in the report for our contribution.
Job Advert – Band 8a Clinical Specialist Orthotics/Service Lead or suitable Band 7 development opportunity into 8a role – UHB
Landmark Study Reveals Critical Shortage in UK Prosthetic and Orthotic Workforce
A study by the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies (CBRT) at Staffordshire University has revealed a significant deficit in the number of prosthetists, orthotists and prosthetic/orthotic technicians and support workers working in the UK. The final report is formally launched on 6th November 2023.
This research, commissioned by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), found there are currently 631 orthotists and 295 prosthetists employed nationwide. However, an additional 142 to 477 prosthetists/orthotists are needed to meet World Health Organization standards of care.
“This workforce shortage is worrying,” said Professor Nachi Chockalingam, Director of CBRT and a senior author of the study. “With our ageing population, demand for prosthetic and orthotic services will only increase. We urgently need strategies to grow and sustain this profession.”
The study also identified a lack of qualified technicians and support workers to support prosthetist/orthotist teams, with a shortage of 1,133 to 1,803 individuals by WHO benchmarks. Significant recruitment challenges were reported by both NHS and private sector employers.
“This landmark report provides the hard evidence we need to take action,” said Dr Nicky Eddison, lead researcher. “Working with professional bodies, higher education institutions and the industry we must inspire the next generation and make prosthetics/orthotics an attractive career choice.”
The report highlighted retention issues as well, with 1 in 5 prosthetists/orthotists indicating they may leave the field in the next five years. Key factors driving attrition include lack of career progression, poor work-life balance and lack of flexibility.
Another senior author Dr Aoife Healy, added: “Prosthetist/orthotist is an incredibly skilled profession that allows for a high degree of creativity combined with cutting-edge technology to transform patients’ lives.”
Mr Peter Iliff, the Chair of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists said, “We need to nurture these professionals so they feel valued and able to thrive throughout their careers. BAPO has pledged to implement the report’s recommendations around enhanced educational programs, expanded roles for prosthetic/orthotic technicians and support workers, and greater collaboration to sustain the workforce.”
“With commitment from all stakeholders, we can build the prosthetic/orthotic workforce needed to provide quality care to all who require it,” Professor Chockalingam said. “We look forward to partnering across the health sector to make this vision a reality.”
BAPO_Workforce_Mapping_Document_FINAL
Exploring the updated AHP Principles of practice based learning
This year, working with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), we have jointly led eight other professional bodies to update our Principles of practice based learning
This means the principles are now co-badged by 10 AHP professional bodies to support you in creating quality and sustainable placement opportunities.
Peter Iliff, Chair of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists, emphasized that practice-based learning poses challenges for both educators and learners. BAPO is happy to have been part of the co-production of this work
It is our aspiration that this undertaking will serve as a valuable resource, guiding the workforce toward a more diverse and enriching learning journey.
Topol Digital Fellowships
The Topol Digital Fellowship provides health and social care professionals with time, support and training to lead digital health transformations and innovations in their organisations.
Cohort 5 – April 2024
To apply to become a Topol Digital Fellow and join Cohort 5 of the programme, you need to complete and submit the online application form in full by 23:59pm on November 20, 2023.
For more information on how to apply for Cohort 5 of the Topol Digital Fellowship and sign up for the drop-in webinars visit Cohort 5: Apply here — Topol Digital Fellowships (hee.nhs.uk)
Webinars
Tuesday 31st October 14:00 – 15:00
Monday 13 November 13:00 – 14:00
The BAPO and Staffordshire University Research Hub Application
Research project:
The focus of this project will be on exploring and testing the rigidity of AFOs and how prescription design impacts rigidity. The research team consists of Prof. Nachi Chockalingam, Dr Nicky Eddison and Panagiotis Chatzistergos.
Benefits:
The P&O professionals who join the team to work on the project will gain experience of how a real research project works. They will work alongside the team learning how to carry out a literature search, design and execute a research project, collect and analyse data and write a paper for peer-reviewed publication and/or Health Education England report. The individual will be duly recognised within any future publications or reports either as a co-author or acknowledged as a contributor depending on the contributions they make to the overall project.
The process:
Once the applications have been received from BAPO members, the research team will choose two applicants and brief them on the detail of the project. The successful applicants will then be invited to all the research meetings and be included as a full member of the team for the duration of the project.
Who can apply:
Applications are open to all UK Prosthetists and Orthotists who are BAPO members; experience in research, years of practice and current job role are not relevant to the application process. The aim is to give everyone the opportunity to be part of research. Please note: the research hub is only for qualified P&O staff, students are not permitted to apply.
Is there a cost?
There is no cost to the applicant, this is a free-of-charge initiative with the aim of inspiring P&O professionals into research.
Complete the application form here
Please note deadline for applications – November 30th 2023
Testimonials
“Being part of the ‘Research Hub’ was a great experience, and I’m hugely grateful for the opportunity. I learned so much about the research process starting from literature searches right through to the submission of articles for publication. Huge thanks to Nicky and the team for their work with this initiative, can’t wait to see the finished article in print!” Nina Darke Orthotist
“I think the Research Hub itself is a fantastic initiative which will benefit our community I hope over time it can transform how our profession views and engages with research, and hopefully how other AHPs engage with us! “ Gwen Griffith, Prosthetist
“Being part of the research hub, allowed for this interest [in research] to become reality, whilst also acting as a safe space to really navigate and learn the world of research. This opportunity has been exceptional, as it’s acted as a gateway into research, and I would encourage all to take the leap should they be interested” Millar Leask, Orthotist
“I feel very lucky to have been chosen to represent our profession in the workforce project. Having never participated in any formal research previously, this was quite a challenging prospect. I wondered what I’d let myself in for, and questioned when I was going to fit in the additional work. However, the team have been incredibly welcoming and encouraging. I’ve never been given any task that was out of my ability, and it’s been an insightful process to see how much work goes into putting such a piece of work together. At each stage, the team have been really supportive and understanding of clinical workload. If asked would I do it again…yes!” Caroline Jackson, Orthotist