NHS Wales - Senior Orthotist

Click here to view job advert.

BAPO April Bulletin 2016

How AHPs will transform care – Take this chance to have your say.

Today the virtual platform is open for AHPs to take part in the online workshop to share views on how collectively they can deliver future care in England. This is your chance to have a voice and build a mandate for change.

By following a simple registration process via the link below, you can join the online workshop now and as many times as you like during the next two weeks to offer your insight to two key questions and to share best practice. https://ahp.clevertogether.com/en/login

NHS England Launch Commissioning Guidance for Rehabilitation

An interactive PDF at https://www.england.nhs.uk/ that supports the commissioning of effective, high quality rehabilitation services.

This guidance sets out how rehabilitation intervention helps individuals to ‘live their lives', covering the full range of rehabilitation for both mental and physical health across their life course.

HCPC launches online workshop to inform new social media guidance

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is launching an online workshop on 10 May 2016 inviting registrants and stakeholders to share their views on what should be included in their draft social media guidance.

To participate in the online workshop from 10 May, visit https://hcpc.clevertogether.com/en/login

Public Health England launch ‘Making Every Contact Count' consensus statement

Please find a link below to the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) consensus statement, which has now launched and can be referred or signposted to.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/515949/Making_Every_Contact_Count_Consensus_Statement.pdf

HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Programme is now open

Applications to the following levels:
- Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship (CDRF)
- Clinical Lectureship (CL)
- Senior Clinical Lectureship (SCL)

The closing date for CDRF applications is Thursday 19th May and CL/SCL applications close on Thursday 28th April. Further information about how to apply and eligibility criteria can be found on the NIHR website: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/nihr-hee-ica-programme.htm

Veterans Mobility Fund

The Royal British Legion have set up a fund as part of the Veterans Medical Fund to provide funding for specialist wheelchairs, orthotic equipment and therapies to Veterans who have suffered a serious physical injury as a result of service. The applicants will need to be in receipt of a war pension or Armed forces compensations scheme award (AFCS) to be eligible for the funds.

Please click on the link for more information and circulate this as much as possible: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/finances/grants/veterans-medical-funds/

Student Funding for AHP's

Department for Health are seeking views on how the proposed reforms on funding and financial support for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals can be successfully implemented. Give your view by clicking on the link: https://consultations.dh.gov.uk/workforce/healthcare-education-funding/consult_view

Introducing AHPs4PH
Public Health England have been developing a social media platform for AHPs with an interest in public health. The key objectives were to create a community and a space where AHPs can share PH-related info, develop networks, discuss research, publicise events etc.

PHE would like to thank you all for your contributions in shaping this platform and they have now created a Facebook group called AHPs4PH. The link is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AHPs4PH/

You will need to request to become a member as it is a closed group. Please have a look and provide any feedback. The hope is that this will become a self-sustaining group with members posting, commenting and interacting.

HCPC

On Tuesday 10 May 2016, we will be launching an online workshop inviting registrants and stakeholders to share their views on what should be included in our draft social media guidance. Participants will be able to respond to questions until Tuesday 24 May 2016 about the use of social media and networking websites and also have the opportunity to input their ideas and opinions as to what should be included within the guidance. Feedback received from the workshop will help us produce a draft document which will then go out to public consultation.

http://www.hcpc-uk.org/mediaandevents/news/index.asp?id=755

BAPO Insurance Renewal

The deadline for insurance renewals has now passed. If you haven't completed and returned your forms yet please contact the Secretariat as soon as possible to avoid cancellation of your insurance.

BAPO Membership – Mail

Why not ask to receive the majority of your mail by email and help save the environment? (Please note this excludes Job Advertisements and other appropriate mailings.) Contact the Secretariat now to ensure you have asked to receive your mailings by email.

Regional Meeting

Why not attend our Yorkshire Regional Meeting on Thursday 28 April at Crispin Orthotics, Leeds. A chance to listen to our Guest Speakers and have a say in your Profession. Email enquiries@bapo.com to confirm your attendance.

Professional Affairs Committee

We are pleased to announce that following comments submitted by BAPO at development stage, the Stroke in Adults quality standard has now been published on the NICE website. Please use the following link to access the QS: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs2

The Committee would also like to highlight the release of the updated Venous thromboembolism quality standard, link below:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs29

BAPO Short Course Dates

Assessment Diagnosis and Treatment of Muscoskeletal (MSK) Foot and Ankle Problems for Orthotists

•  12 & 13 May – Reed Medical, Blackburn
•  24 & 25 June - Oxford

Lower Limb X-ray Interpretation

•  27 April - BAPO Secretariat, Paisley
•  7 May - BAPO Secretariat, Paisley
•  8 July – Salts Techstep, Birmingham

If you would like more information on any of these courses or to book, please contact the Secretariat.

Trulife - Orthotist, Various

For further information on the positions available please click here

Steeper Job Advert - Orthotist - Various Locations

Click here to view Job Advertisement

BAPO Bulletin: March 2016

BAPO 2016 Conference & Exhibition  10 DAYS TO GO – DON’T MISS OUT!! Remember to book your place for the upcoming BAPO Conference & Exhibition at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry! Attendees should book their accommodation quickly as rooms are going fast.   Remember you can still submit a poster for the BAPO Poster Competition by 12pm on Saturday 19th March to be in with a chance to win our prize. Open Forum: BAPO invites the prosthetic and orthotic profession to join a discussion about your professional Association, it's structure and functions from 17.10 until 17.40. This discussion will be open to everyone with the AGM commencing at 17.40 for members only. Networking Area: Ever wonder what BAPO does? What is OETT?… Join us in our networking area to have all your questions answered. Your opportunity to meet with the Association Chair, NHS, P&O companies, universities and BAPO Committee Chairs. Grab a coffee, head to the Social Zone to relax with colleagues and discuss this year’s innovative programme. Visit our Education Zone to learn how you can further your career through post-graduate education. Post questions, provide feedback and join in the conversation by following the BAPO Twitter @BAPO2 Visit www.bapo.com/conference or email conference@bapo.com for further information and to register online.

BAPO consultation The consultation period into the formation of a centre for excellence is coming to an end. The potential for the formation of a scheme will be discussed and voted on at the AGM on Friday 18th March. The document circulated was a sample of what could be developed for the profession in the future. If the vote is passed, the next step is to form a working group with all stakeholders represented to ensure the scheme is fit for purpose for any service model in the UK. Please let us know your thoughts if you haven’t already.   Salford launches first ever UK wide survey into the use of foot orthotics Researchers at the University of Salford are leading the first ever survey into the use of foot orthoses in the UK. The project is being led by Professor Chris Nester and builds on previous work in the EU SMARTPIF project, during which focus groups with NHS clinicians were used to investigate current foot orthotic practices and barriers to technology adoption.   The survey is now open and can be completed at: http://salford.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/the-national-foot-orthotics-survey-v-3   The Greater Manchester Allied Health Professions Research Network skills audit survey The Greater Manchester Allied Health Professions Research Network have been awarded some money from the Councils for Allied Health Professions Research, to support researchers and clinicians to develop their research skills. Before we set up the project, we would like know what type of skills AHPs in Greater Manchester have and the types of support they would like. The survey will take less than five minutes and is open to all AHPs who WORK in the Greater Manchester area. Anyone who completes the survey may select to have his/her name entered into a prize draw, for a £50 voucher. As well as completing this survey yourself, we would be most grateful if you could forward it to any other AHP colleagues working in Greater Manchester. https://salford.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/gtr-manchester-council-for-allied-health-professions-rese NHS England New Commissioning Guidance for Rehabilitation NHS England is publicising new commissioning guidance for rehabilitation at the end of the month which will focus on all stages of life and all conditions. This will include both specialised services as well as local service provision. This will be of interest to commissioner and providers as well as clinicians. Due to the high number of AHPs sitting on the group the guidance is strong and reflective of the breadth of the AHP role across rehabilitation services. It will contain detailed economic evaluation for the professions which will be helpful in arguing for services. There are four regional events due to take place as follows: 5th April – Leeds Met Hotel 14th April 2016 - Reading Hilton Hotel 19th April – Grand Connaught Rooms, London 27th April – NSPCC National Training Centre, Leicester     SPARG Conference, 10th June 2016 Further information on the Conference can be found by clicking here   Professional Affairs Committee The Committee would like to highlight the release of the following Guidelines: MND Venous Thromboembolism   BAPO Membership Renewals Insurance renewals – Please return your insurance renewal paperwork by Monday 28 March. If we don’t receive your renewal paperwork, you will not be covered by BAPO insurance policies. If you have any questions surrounding your renewal paperwork please contact the BAPO Secretariat at enquiries@bapo.com If you have still to return your Membership Renewal paperwork, please do this as soon as possible.   Education Don't miss out on the first courses in our 2016 short course programme! Differential diagnosis MSK courses: 15 & 16 April - Halo, Wellingborough 12 & 13 May - Reed Medical, Blackburn Lower Limb X-ray Interpretation: April - BAPO Secretariat, Paisley May – BAPO Secretariat, Paisley July – Salts Techstep, Birmingham Book your place now by downloading a booking form from the BAPO website or contactingenquiries@bapo.com for more info.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS - Orthotist, Bowley Close

For further information on the position available please click here

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hsopital - Orthotists, Various

For more information on the positions available please click here

Peacocks Medical Group - x2 Orthotist's

Click here to view job advertisements.

BAPO Bulletin: January 2016

HCPC launch revised standards of conduct, performance and ethics

A copy will be posted out to all registrants and you can download a copy by clicking below:

http://www.hcpc-uk.org/publications/standards/index.asp?id=38

Changes to funding for nursing and AHP undergraduate courses announced in spending review

Have you seen this discussion thread? The bursary and tuition fees which were available for some AHP courses including prosthetics and orthotics are planned to be discontinued in 2017

Want more info? - click below

http://www.councilofdeans.org.uk/2015/11/the-2015-spending-review-changes-to-nursing-midwifery-and-ahp-education-background-information-for-students/

Spinal survey

A working group has been looking at developing national spinal bracing guidance. They are interested in finding out what you would prescribe in certain situations.  Questionnaire number 3 ready now, link below:

Questionnaire No. 3

Professional Affairs Committee

The Committee would like to highlight the release of the following Quality Standard:

Multiple Sclerosis

Northwest Regional meeting

12^th February, Allerton room, Salford University 6-9pm

4 presentations will run during the evening covering prosthetic and orthotic subjects whilst offering the chance to catch up with colleagues and hear what BAPO’s been up to on your behalf. Open to the profession. See you there. Please contact enquiries@bapo.com to confirm your attendance

BAPO Membership Renewals

If you haven't done so already, please return your BAPO membership renewal paperwork in order that we may keep your details accurate and up-to-date.  If you have any questions surrounding membership renewal please contact the BAPO Secretariat at enquiries@bapo.com

BAPO 2016 Conference & Exhibition

Remember to book your place for the upcoming BAPO Conference & Exhibition at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry!  We would like to advise all attendees to book their accommodation quickly as rooms are going fast.

Technician of the Year Award – final call for nominations.

Calling all Prosthetists! Remember to submit your Free Paper presentation by 31 January to be in with a chance to win our £500 prize.

For more info visit www.bapo.com/conference or email conference@bapo.com

Education

Don't miss out on the first courses in our 2016 short course programme!

Differential diagnosis MSK courses:

15 & 16 April - Halo, Wellingborough

12 & 13 May - Reed Medical, Blackburn

Lower Limb X-ray Interpretation:

April - BAPO Secretariat, Paisley

Book your place now by downloading a booking form from the BAPO website or contacting enquiries@bapo.com for more info. 

JSM - Orthotic Technician,Surrey

For further information on the position available please click here.

BAPO November Bulletin 2015

AHP Careers Fellowships Scheme now open – NHS Scotland

Closing date, 12 noon on 15 January 2016  applications available here

Working as a locum? - this may affect you

New price caps for agency staff working in the NHS

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rules-for-all-agency-staff-working-in-the-nhs

FGM Mandatory Reporting – support pack for health professionals

For your information regarding mandatory reporting related to child protection

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fgm-mandatory-reporting-in-healthcare

www.nhs.uk/fgmguidelines

Launch of Orthotics report

NHS England has launched a report on orthotics this week. BAPO have been working with stakeholders to review commissioning guidance on orthotic services in England. This document was created by involved clinical commissioning groups and is a positive step in improving the knowledge of commissioners about orthotics and influence the way our services move forward in the near future.

http://www.orthoticscampaign.org.uk/NHSEreport.html

Launch of Improved Engagement from NICE

NICE is establishing an Insight Community which provides opportunities for you to influence the development and improvement of NICE products. You can do this by taking part in any of the following activities:

·   Focus groups

·   Interviews

·   Surveys

·   Website testing sessions

·   Online searching exercises

They only contact you when there are relevant opportunities coming up. So far, nearly 1000 practitioners have signed-up. However, there is low representation by social care practitioners. To ensure NICE can better meet your needs in the future, we would like to invite you to join in their insight community. Your contribution would be much appreciated and will help us shape the future of NICE products. If you would like to be part of their Insight Community, please complete the short survey here.  It only takes 5 minutes.

Launch of exciting new opportunity for funding research

This week Arthritis Research UK launched a new project with the Design Council - the Spark product innovation fund

Workforce Survey

Thank you for the 400 of you who responded to this survey. We appreciate your engagement with the process and the honesty of your responses.

Results will be available at Conference in March - hope to see you all there.

Spinal survey

A working group has been looking at developing national spinal bracing guidance. They are interested in finding out what you would prescribe in certain situations. Look out for the link to the first of their series of 3 online surveys available in December.

BAPO membership

It’s renewal time already. Please ensure you update your details and return your paperwork to the Secretariat before you miss the cut-off date.

EC Nominations

We currently have 7 empty seats on our Executive Committee and no practicing prosthetic clinicians.

Been qualified for more than 5 years and interested in shaping the future of our profession? Please drop me an email for an informal chat -  chair@bapo.com

Conference

Don’t miss out, only 4 days left to take advantage of the early bird rate for conference!!

Professional Affairs Committee

The Committee would like to highlight the release

of two NICE Guidelines, ‘Older people with social care needs and multiple long-term conditions’ and ‘Venous Thromboembolic Diseases (Standing Committee Update)’.  Link to the guidelines below:

NICE guideline on older people with social care needs and multiple long-term conditions

NICE guideline on Venous Thromboembolic Diseases (standing committee update)

Education

2016 Short Course Programme coming soon, look for further information in BAPOmag 2016 Issue 1.

Places available:

MSK Foot & Ankle – 15 & 16 January 2016 (Trulife, Sheffield)

MSK Foot & Ankle – 6 & 7 February 2016 (Tebbit Centre, Oxford)

BAPO December 2015 Bulletin

AHP Career Fellowships scheme still open for applications – NHS Scotland

Closing date, 12 noon on 15 January 2016  applications available here

AHP- A strategy to develop the capacity, impact and profile of Allied Health Professionals in public health 2015-2018

Strategy from the Allied Health Professionals Federation supported by Public Health England

http://www.ahpf.org.uk/files/AHP%20Public%20Health%20Strategy.pdf

Independent prescribing

Interested in improving the scope of care you provide to your patient? We are launching a profession wide consultation to debate the issue around prescribing and are inviting all interested parties to register with the Secretariat now. Please email enquiries@bapo.com or telephone 0141 5617217

Working in the independent sector-this affects you.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998 clinical practitioners who work in the independent sector are considered to be Data Controllers with respect to the data they process on their patients.
> If they hold any patient identifiable information then it is their responsibility to apply to become a Data Controller.
> Registration and compliance with the Act is dealt with by the Office of the Information Commissioner. Registration may be made by telephone on 01625 545740 or by internet at https://ico.org.uk Registration costs £35 per annum.
> It is a criminal offence not to be registered.

Population Healthcare Training for Healthcare Public Health Professionals

An invitation to join a free learning programme to develop your skills in implementing value-based and population healthcare

Public Health England has commissioned Better Value Healthcare to deliver a training programme for PHE, NHS and Local Authority staff working in healthcare public health, to equip them to make a full contribution to the transformation of healthcare envisaged by the Five Year Forward View.  This programme integrates with health economic training in PHE

For more details click here.  Event password: bettervalue

Training dates: 

·        6th January 2016 Birmingham

·        1st February 2016 Greater Manchester

·        29th February 2016 York

·        22nd March London

Interested in how NICE committees function?

NICE has opened registrations  for the public to observe the committee meeting for stroke will open on Monday 30th November 2015 on the NICE website.

If you would like to register for this committee meeting, please do so via the following web page:  https://www.nice.org.uk/event/qsac1_january_2016

Applications close Monday 14th December

HCPC launch practice educator standards

www.heacademy.ac.uk/professional-recognition/uk-professional-standards-framework-ukpsf  

Spinal survey

A working group has been looking at developing national spinal bracing guidance. They are interested in finding out what you would prescribe in certain situations look out for questionnaire number 2 ready now, link below:

Questionnaire No. 2

Professional Affairs Committee

The Committee would like to highlight the release of the following NICE Guidelines:

NICE guideline on Type 2 Diabetes in Adults: Management

NICE guideline Rheumatoid Arthritis (Update)

NICE guideline CG124 Hip Fracture: Management

Conference

Remember to book your place for the upcoming BAPO Conference & Exhibition at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry!

Education

Don’t miss out!

2016 Differential diagnosis MSK courses below:

15 & 16 January – Trulife, Sheffield

15 & 16 April – Halo, Wellington

Book your place now by visiting the BAPO website or contacting enquiries@bapo.com

BAPO Secretariat Christmas Close Down

The BAPO Secretariat will close for Christmas and New Year on Wednesday 23rd December at 1.30pm and will re-open on Tuesday 5th January at 8.45am.

Halo Medical - Peripatetic Orthotist - London and South East

Click here to view Job Advertisement

Ken Hall Vacancy - Orthotist and Assistant Orthotic Practitioner - South and East of England

Click here for more information on this vacancy.

Opcare - Orthotists, Various

For further information on the positions available please click here

Lifetime Achievement Award 2016

Flyer for Lifetime Achievement

Celebrating 10 years since our last award BAPO will be presenting one of our fellow professionals with a Lifetime Achievement Award. All too often years of hard work and innovation go unrecognised until we read about a retirement or sadly an obituary in BAPOmag. We are looking for nominations for Orthotists, Prosthetists, Technicians and Assistants who in the eyes of their colleagues have made a significant contribution to the orthotic/prosthetic field during the course of their career.

Nominees will be voted for in a postal ballot with the winner receiving the award during a formal presentation at BAPO Conference 2016 in Coventry. Closing date for nominations is 30th November, 2015. To nominate please complete the form below and return to the BAPO Secretariat, alternatively you can nominate by email to conference@bapo.com

New Zealand Artificial Limb Service - Centre Manager

Click here to view Job Advert

Guys and St Thomas- Clinical Lead and Head of Regional Orthotics Service, London

To view this job vacancy click here

UK Prosthetics & Orthotics Workforce Review

We want to hear from anyone with a qualification in prosthetics and orthotics.

The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) is leading a review of the workforce in the UK.

This is the first step in a full scale review of our profession with 3 more surveys planned throughout the year.

Last year our profession was added to the national shortage list by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence.

From speaking to our members, the employers and reviewing the number of P&O professionals registered with the HCPC it is becoming apparent we have a problem with retention and would like to understand what the reasons are for people leaving the profession. We are also using this opportunity to capture the reasons people are continuing to work in the field, whether in clinical practice or another branch such as education or research.

We need to find out why people are leaving the profession and what we can do, in conjunction with the other key stakeholders, to reduce this trend and make prosthetics and orthotics a profession that people want to stay in for the long term.

So we are asking the profession for their help.

How many people from your class are still working in the profession?  If people have left do you know how to get in touch with them?  Please help us gather the information we need so we can then see what we can do in partnership with the universities and employers to support you and your colleagues in your chosen profession.

This will only take 5 minutes of your time.

Please read, complete the survey and then pass it on to all your contacts at work, old classmates, Facebook friends, anyone who once trained as a Prosthetist or Orthotist.

http://survey.bapo-online.com/index.php/469793/lang-en                                                                                                                                         
              
Many thanks for your help
Lynne Rowley
Chair of BAPO

Effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles: a systematic review

Dymphy van der Wilk^, Pieter Ubele Dijkstra^, Klaas Postema, Gijsbertus Jacob Verkerke^, Juha Markus Hijmans

Highlights

•

Elastic ankle foot orthoses improve energy efficiency (dorsiflexor paresis).

•

Dorsal ankle foot orthoses improve energy efficiency and comfortable walking speed (plantarflexor paresis both with and without a dorsiflexor paresis).

•

Circular- and elastic ankle foot orthoses are more suitable for dorsiflexor paresis.

•

Dorsal ankle foot orthoses are more suitable for plantarflexor paresis both with and without a dorsiflexor paresis.

---

Abstract

Background

People with floppy ankle muscles paresis use ankle foot orthoses to improve their walking ability. Ankle foot orthoses also limit ankle range of motion thereby introducing additional problems. Insight in effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles aids in clinical decision making and may improve adherence.

Methods

Studies published before October 27th 2014 were searched in Pubmed, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane Library. Studies evaluating effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and/or activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles were included. Studies solely focusing on people with spastic paretic ankle muscles were excluded. Study quality was assessed using a custom made scale. Body functions and activities were defined according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Findings

Twenty-four studies were included, evaluating 394 participants. Participants were grouped according to paresis type (i) dorsiflexor paresis, (ii) plantar flexor paresis, (iii) both dorsiflexor- and plantar flexor paresis. Dorsal- circular- and elastic ankle foot orthoses increased dorsiflexion during swing (by 4-6°, group i). Physical comfort with dorsal ankle foot orthoses was lower than that with circular ankle foot orthoses (groups i&iii). Dorsal ankle foot orthoses increased push-off moment (by 0.2-0.5 Nm/kg), increased walking efficiency, and decreased ankle range of motion (by 12-30°, groups ii&iii).

Interpretation

People with dorsiflexor paresis benefit more from circular- and elastic ankle foot orthoses while people with plantar flexor paresis (and dorsiflexor paresis) benefit more from dorsal ankle foot orthoses.

Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003315002545