Assistive Technologies February/March 2016

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE

By Olivia TaylorCHILDREN’S foot health looks set for aboost with research teams at theUniversities of Salford and Brightonattracting £1.5m from the William M.Scholl Endowment Fund.

Professor Chris Nester (Salford) and DrStewart Morrison (Brighton) will jointly leadthe ambitious ‘SMALL STEPS’ researchprogramme that starts in the Spring.

Research led by Dr Morrison will focus onunderstanding the beliefs of parents andhealth care professionals with regard tochildren foot health, and the factors thatinfluence these.

Dr Morrison said: “There are somefundamental gaps in our understanding ofwhere parents get their knowledge on foothealth, what concerns them, and howhealth professionals might provideappropriate support.

“This is very timely because of theincreasing emphasis on prevention ratherthan cure of diseases in adulthood.

“Getting evidence based public foot healthmessages to parents should be a great wayto prevent future problems.”

Professor Nester is leading work on howthe foot develops as children start to walkindependently.

He added: “These developmentalmilestones typically occur between six and18 months of age and bearing weightdrives many changes in the feet and legs.

“We want to understand the fundamentalrelationship between these milestones andhow our feet develop into the shapes theydo.”

Data will be collected on children betweenManchester and Brighton over three years.

The teams will work closely with cliniciansfrom a wide range of disciplines, includinghealth visitors, paediatricians, surgeons,physiotherapists and podiatrists. Membersof the footwear industry will be involvedthrough stakeholder groups, includingleading children’s footwear and high-streetretailers.

Support from European and Internationalpartners will support the global reach ofthe project. The funding comes fromWilliam M. Scholl Endowment Fund, acharity focussed specifically on advancingfoot health research and education in theUK. The fund is part of Central and NorthWest London NHS Trust.

Director Dr Brain Ellis said “Small Stepsmarks a new chapter for the Fund,elevating its impact and reach. We lookforward to the formal launch of the projectin March.”

Boost for children’sfoot health thanksto £1.5m funding

When schoolboy Callum Williams walked out as a mascot for SwanseaCity against West Bromwich Albion at the Liberty Stadium on BoxingDay he looked the part – right down to his legs. The 11-year-old fromPontarddulais was born with club feet which were amputated last year.Only a few months later Callum is making rapid progress with his newprosthetic legs – which the artificial limb team at Morriston Hospitalhave customised after Swansea City donated two shirts. Not only thatbut Swans star Wayne Routledge and legend Lee Trundle (picturedabove) made a surprise visit to check his progress while Callum washaving a rehab session at Morriston Hospital’s Artificial Limb andAppliance Centre.

ISSUE 107 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016 £6.95

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ContactsEditorialJudith Halkerston Group EditorEmail: [email protected]

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Tel: 01226 734407Olivia Taylor ReporterEmail: [email protected]

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Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all contents, the publishers do not accept liability for any error, printed

or otherwise, that may occur.

www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk

Academic is first physio toreceive educational titleBy Dominic Musgrave

A UNIVERSITY of Central Lancashireacademic has become the firstphysiotherapist in the west to receivean elite educational title.

Professor James Selfe, from theSchool of Health Sciences, is believedto be only the second physio in theworld to be awarded a Doctorate ofScience.

The academic has a special interest inthe management of musculoskeletaldisorders, in particular thepatellofemoral (kneecap) joint of theknee.

His expertise in this field is widelyrecognised and has led to asubstantial portfolio of publicationsand a wide range of internationalactivities.

He said: “As far as I can tell there isonly one other physiotherapist in theworld who has one of these and heis in Australia.

“I’m absolutely delighted to berecognised in this way.”

Professor Selfe had to submit aportfolio of all his research papersalong with a synoptic commentaryexplaining how they all fittedtogether into a coherent body ofwork.

This was assessed by two veryeminent external examiners whorecommended the award.

He has worked with a group inFinland for the past 20 years and iscurrently engaging in research withfellow academics in Belgium, Turkeyand the Netherlands.

Throughout his career at UCLan hehas collaborated with internationalcolleagues across the globe.

He has worked with a group inFinland for the past 20 years and iscurrently engaging in research withfellow academics in Belgium, Turkeyand the Netherlands.

Professor Selfe’s current research isfocused on understanding subgroups within the kneecap painpopulation and developing specific

treatments for these groups.

A paper highlighting this research isdue to be published shortly in theBritish Journal of Sports Medicine.

He received his award at agraduation ceremony in Preston’sGuild Hall.

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in ourmagazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: [email protected] We abide by the Editors’ Codeof Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you beunsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

Professor James Selfe has become thefirst physiotherapist outside Australia toreceive a Doctorate of Science.

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NHS seven-day services: What is thepotential impact on orthotic teams?By Simon Dickinson

THERE is now a heated debate aboutseven-day services in the NHS inEngland.

But this issue has, in fact, beenbrewing for some time. Improvingcare at weekends has been underdiscussion for at least 20 years.

During the 1990s, research began toemerge that the quality of care wasnot evenly spread over the week.

As evidence has grown, so has theclamour for change. In 2012 a studywas published highlighting theincreased risk of death for patientsadmitted at weekends compared to aWednesday.

One of the authors of this was SirBruce Keogh, the medical director ofthe NHS in England. At the end of2013 he published a report calling onthe NHS to adopt 10 standards toimprove the quality of care availableat weekends. These includedeverything from greater consultantavailability to increased access todiagnostic tests.

Some of the statistics driving thischange are listed below:

� Patients are 16 per cent more likelyto die if they are admitted on aSunday compared with a Wednesday.

� The risk of death for patientsadmitted on a Sunday compared witha Wednesday is 37 per cent higherfor acute and unspecified renalfailure, eight per cent higher forurinary tract infections and seven per

cent higher for a fractured neck offemur.

� Survival rates following a brokenhip are much higher if patients aretreated quickly, ideally within twodays. Patients are 24 per cent morelikely to have to wait longer than twodays for a broken hip replacement onweekends.

� There is not always access to theright treatments or diagnostic tests atweekends, which can result in delaysand worsen the outcomes andexperience for patients.

The Government is committed toworking with the NHS to make surethat:

� People can get the access theyneed to GP services.

� People in need of hospital care atweekends, both those withemergency needs and those alreadyin hospital, get the same high qualityof care as they would during theweek.

(Source www.gov.uk/government/collections/nhs-7-day-services)

Although a great deal of thesereforms are directed at doctors’working hours, there will be asignificant impact on AHP services.

Some NHS employers are nowwriting the seven-day week into allnew AHP contracts to ensure thatemergency patients and all hospitalin-patients get timely access to care.

I am unaware of any orthotic servicethat provides seven-day care for thesepatients. However, many emergencyand ward patients will requireorthotic treatment in the eveningsand at weekends.

This has been the case for as manyyears as I have been qualified, and Iremember the Monday morningsurge of ward referrals for patientswho need orthotic treatment whowere admitted over the weekend.

Bank holidays were also an issue, andover the Christmas period somepatients could wait well over fourdays to be seen.

Although most of these patients’ livesare not directly at risk because ofdelays to orthotic treatment (unlessthey have severe spinal fractures),they often remain in hospital,occupying a bed, until they receivetheir orthotic treatment.

During this time they may be inprolonged pain as a result of anunbraced spinal fracture, or havelimited mobility as their ankle footorthosis/ knee brace cannot be

supplied.

What is certain is that a smallnumber of patients suffer as a resultof not having access to orthotictreatment at weekends.

These delays can cause other patientsto be delayed on emergencypathways as the bed they need is“blocked” by the patient waiting fortheir orthosis.

Are patients getting the same care atthe weekend as they would get inthe week from orthotists? No.

Could delays in treatment causedistress and harm? Yes.

Do these delays in treatment delaydischarge and occupy beds otherpatients desperately need? Yes.

Could orthotic services do better? Mypersonal opinion is that despite theworkforce limitations orthotic servicesmust do better. The challenge ishow? Competency frameworks? On-call services? Seven-day in-patientand out-patient cover?

My personal preference would becompetency frameworks and trainingstaff already on the wards atweekends. This is unpopular withsome fellow colleagues and alwaysgenerates a lively debate.

A final thought if you disagree…Patients don’t care which professiontreats them. They don’t want to waitor be in pain, they just want to getbetter.

� Simon Dickinson is clinical directorat TalarMade.

Simon Dickinson

MANUFACTURING firm Drive Medicalhas doubled its workforce to morethan 400 with the acquisition of twocompanies.

The company makes and distributesmedical products, with distribution

centres throughout the UK andEurope, including a head office and a50,000 square foot warehouse at theAinley industrial estate in Elland.

The acquisitions include SpecialistOrthotic Services Ltd, which is a

manufacturer and distributor ofseating and mobility products, andPark House Healthcare, a supplier ofspecialist pressure area careequipment, hospital and communitybeds, and service and maintenanceprovisions.

The acquisitions will bring newproduct additions and innovations toDrive Medical’s portfolio. Thecompany’s branded products includebeds, wheelchairs, powered mobility,walking aids, furniture and dailyliving aids.

Company doubles its workforce with double acquisition

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A champion mountain biker who has tasted glory on two wheels says he hefeels like a champion all over again after walking down the corridor of thehospital where he has been treated. Assistive Technologies reports.

MARTYN Ashton has won world andBritish titles as one of the legends ofmountain bike trials riding.

But recently he won his biggestchallenge when he took his first stepsat The Robert Jones and Agnes HuntOrthopaedic Hospital in Shropshire.

That is because Martyn is paralysedfrom the waist down, the result of anaccident during an event in front ofan audience of more than 500people back in September 2013.Riding in a trials demo at theSilverstone MotoGP, the 40-year-oldfell backwards off of a 10-foot highbar and hit the ground with force.

“It was a spinning motion,” herecalled. “I landed on my shouldersface down. My legs whipped aroundtowards my face and that is whatbroke my back – I kind of snappedmyself in half.

“I remember I hit the ground and Iwas in a lot of pain immediately. Ithought: ‘Wow, I nearly killedmyself!’

“I immediately knew I was badlyinjured, and I pretty much knew whatthat injury was. But the feeling ofhorror was easily equalled by thefeeling of relief that I was alive.

“I’ve crashed my bike and broken myback before. I’ve broken ankles, mycollarbone, legs, ribs: I’ve broken justabout every bone you can break butup until then I’d never thought I’dnearly done myself in for goodbefore.

“I felt really grateful, and that was abit of a gift right away.”

Martyn was initially taken toCoventry Hospital before beingtransferred to RJAH, a worldrenowned specialist orthopaedichospital based on the outskirts of themarket town of Oswestry.

He spent five-and-a-half-months asan inpatient, slowly learning how tocope with his new life, but hispositivity in the face of adversity haswon him legions of new fans.

His willpower was evident in July thisyear when he released a YouTubevideo called Back on Track, in whichhe was shown riding a speciallyadapted mountain bike at the AnturStiniog trail in Snowdonia.

The bike was fitted with a sit-ski seat– a piece of kit designed for use inParalympic snow sports. Supportedby friends and professional ridersDanny MacAskill, Chris Akrigg andBlake Samson, he was then given apush, and set off down the Welshmountain.

Martyn was the first paralysed cyclistto attempt something like this, buthas already been sent videos viaFacebook from three other peopleinspired by his story to try the samething.

“That was amazing,” he added. “I’vewon world titles, broken worldrecords, but nothing I’ve ever donecompares to seeing someone else goout on a bike because they saw mego out on a bike in that situation.

“I’d like to set up a WorldChampionship for wheelchair ridersnow. I’ve already met with someonefrom Welsh Cycling to talk about it,

and we’d like to find around 10people to take part.”

Martyn’s famous positivity was inevidence again recently when he wasback at RJAH to learn how to use aParawalker – a special device thatallows him to experience, howeverfleetingly, the chance to get out ofhis wheelchair and move on his owntwo feet.

He was under the care of JennyBroadbent, a senior physiotherapistfrom the Orthotic Research andLocomotor Assessment Unit at RJAH,who worked alongside physio RobFox and technical instructor JayneJones. The team develop engineeringsolutions for disabled patients andthe Parawalker is one of the solutionsthey offer to help paralysed patientsget a taste of being back on twofeet.

“It’s not really a form of transport,”said Martyn, who lives in Margam,near Port Talbot in south Wales, withhis wife Lisa and son Alfie, 15. “Iwon’t be walking to Tesco in it anytime soon.

“But, when you’ve been in awheelchair for so long, it’s a reallygreat experience to be upright again.

“It’s good for your bone density, yourblood pressure, your circulation. Itallows your internal organs to moveto their proper positions. There are alot of different reasons for doing it.

“To be mobile is a really strangeexperience for me. It’s really hardwork and I found it very tiring on myshoulders, but I love that ache; thatfeeling of having done exercise.”

Paralysed cycling championMartyn is walking tall again

Martyn Ashton makes progress down the main hospital corridor in the Parawalker (left) and with the staff who have helped him (right).

NAIDEX has announced a Tradeand Healthcare Professionals onlyday.

During the Trade andProfessionals only day, which willtake place on April 26 – the firstday of the three-day event,visitors and exhibitors will havethe chance to schedule meetingsand explore the latesttechnologies and developmentsin the market.

Naidex takes place at NECBirmingham from April 26 to 28.

Trade day

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AN orthopaedic technician fromStepping Hill Hospital has won anational competition for a sculpturemade from left-over plaster normallyused to fix broken bones.

Liz Fish from Stockport works in thehospital’s fracture clinic and fitsbroken arms and legs with plastercasts.

Every year hospitals from across thecountry submit creative masterpiecesfrom plaster for the UK-wideChristmas competition.

Liz beat many creative entries withher ‘Muppets Christmas Carol’ scenefor the 2015 gold prize. Her designfeatures Muppets Kermit, Gonzo andMiss Piggy carol singing under aVictorian streetlight.

The metre high sculpture featurespainstaking attention to detail,including false eyelashes for MissPiggy, and Kermit wearing his ownplaster cast.

Liz, who completed the sculpture inher own time over several weeks,said: “I’m an art and design geek soreally loved doing this sculpture. It’sgreat to have fun with somethingthat we’d otherwise have to throwaway. Kermit is hopping over to ourchildren's ward so they can admirehim.”

Last year Liz’s reindeer sculpture wasthe national runner-up. The UKcompetition is run by BeneCareMedical who are worldwide providersof hospital casting products.

Orthopaedic technician Liz Fish with her winning ‘Muppets Christmas Carol’ creation.

Liz’s sculptures areplaster perfection

MAUREEN Drake has been appointedto the Health and Care ProfessionsCouncil.

Maureen has over 20 years’experience in health and educationsettings, including working atCoventry University, SouthBirmingham PCT and LeedsCommunity Healthcare NHS Trust.

As well as having worked as a seniorlecturer in occupational therapy, sheholds an MSc in disabilitymanagement and vocationalrehabilitation, and has an extensivebackground in leadership andmanagement positions.

Currently working in Leeds, she isalso is a registered occupationaltherapist, specialising in vocationalrehabilitation and neurology.

Elaine Buckley, Council chair, said: “I

am delighted that we have recruitedMaureen to the Council and lookforward to working with her thisyear.

“Maureen’s background in health,social care and education alongsideher leadership skills and clinicalexperience will benefit the Council.

“This is particularly important as wecontinue working with ourstakeholders to ensure all ourregulatory processes are fit forpurpose.”

Chief executive and registrar of theHCPC, Marc Seale, added: “Councilmembers play a fundamental role insetting the organisation’s strategyand policy, as well as ensuring thatHCPC maintains efficient regulatoryprocesses, and fulfils its statutoryduty of public protection.”

Maureen appointed to Healthand Care Professions Council

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GLASGOW Caledonian University isworking with PAL Technologies Ltdand the University of Strathclyde onan innovative project to aid therecovery of stroke survivors andamputees.

The new AGILE (AmbulatoryGuidance for Interactive LocomotionEnhancement) project will involve thedevelopment of patient-centredtraining tools, for use at home and inthe community, to improve walkingabilities.

The wireless-based technology willoffer cloud-based data managementand visualisation to allow both thepatient and their therapist to shareongoing progress and goalattainment, thereby increasing thechances of a more successfulrehabilitation.

Real-time measurement and dataanalysis with direct feedback onprogress will be provided to bothpatient and healthcare professionals.

With more direct involvement in therehabilitation programme, anymodifications or adjustments requiredto aid the patient in making a quickerand more effective recovery can be

agreed upon easily and swiftlyimplemented.

GCU, alongside the University ofStrathclyde, will contribute to theKnowledge Transfer Partnershipvaluable sensors, orthotics andhuman movement expertise, as wellas state-of-the-art humanperformance laboratories. It isexpected that the new technologywill appeal to international markets.

GCU research fellow Dr Scott Telfer, abioengineer with extensiveexperience of research in healthcareand rehabilitation, will provideacademic support to the project.

Dr Telfer said: “With approximately50,000 and 20 million individuals inthe UK and US, respectively, currentlyliving with amputation, mainly lowerlimb, it is fantastic news that thisnew device will offer those withreduced walking ability a hithertomissing personalised prescription forimproved wellbeing.”

AGILE’s industry partner, Glasgow-based PAL Technologies, has a trackrecord of providing clinicalmeasurement tools for researchersworldwide who quantify physical

behaviours, such as sitting, standingand stepping, and link sedentarybehaviours with chronic disease risk.

CEO Douglas Maxwell said: “Ourcurrent activPALTM devices require tobe worn for a period of time withdata subsequently being downloadedand analysed but the new device willincorporate wireless technology andreal time feedback.

“Involvement in this 30-monthproject will allow us not only to offer

an improved product to our existingcore market of clinical researchers butalso to build on the relationship wealready have with a major prostheticmanufacturer, and engage more fullyin the rehabilitation sector.

“Our expectation is that the newtechnology will enable us to launch afurther range of products, initially inthe UK and US markets, expandingour workforce as required to meetdemand for the new device.”

University to support development ofinnovative tools to enhance agility

The project will involve the development of patient-centred training tools.

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THE owners of a Lewisham-basedpodiatry business and founders ofnot-for-profit organisationUndefeeted have received a topaward from the Key Person ofInfluence programme, run by EntrevoUK.

Key Person of Influence is a nine-month leadership and businessdevelopment programme that has, sofar, helped more than 1,000entrepreneurs across the globedevelop their businesses.

The award recognises such feats asthe launch of Peter Alton’s book‘Undefeeted by Diabetes’, which isthe spearhead of the Undefeetedcampaign, drawing on the author’s27 years’ experience as a podiatristfixing feet and his personal journeywith diabetes.

The book focuses on helping peoplewith diabetes live in what Peter, whoruns Circle Podiatry, calls the ‘diabeticsweet spot’ – the safest possibleposition for them.

The ‘sweet spot’ refers to acombination of knowledge of whatcan go wrong, awareness of theirpersonal risk and taking appropriateand timely action that helps them tolive full and healthy lives.

Undefeeted has a global remit to

educate diabetes sufferers of thedamage that the disease can do tothe feet. It works to raise awarenessat all levels: individuals, families,communities, national andinternational health organisationsand governments.

Peter said: “My wife Tina and I areecstatic to have won this award, andwill use it as a platform to spread ourmessage to more individuals andorganisations.”

As well as raising awareness ofdiabetes-related complications,Undefeeted is developing a networkof practitioners who offer freediabetic foot assessments for thoseliving with diabetes.

Peter added: “Not many peoplerealise how diabetes can affect theirfeet and this is a big factor in causingthe 1.5 million amputations thathappen per year. In fact, it is widelyaccepted that 1.3 million could beavoided.

“The majority of people withdiabetes don’t have an annual check-up by a podiatrist and most of themare unaware if they are at low,moderate or high risk of having aserious foot problem.

“Annual diabetic foot assessmentsare a valuable source of education,

and are also important to the earlyidentification of issues that couldpotentially lead to the loss of a limb.

“The Undefeeted network ofpodiatrists aims to ensure that no-one with diabetes goes withoutannual foot checks.

“By asking private healthcareprofessionals to pledge a certainamount of time to seeing diabetessufferers each month, we are alsosupporting the NHS, which isextremely stretched.”

Peter’s life changed five years agowhen he was diagnosed with Type 2diabetes, and soon became aware ofhow difficult the condition is tomanage. When their 11-year-old

daughter Jasmine was diagnosedwith Type 1 diabetes, Peter and Tinasoon became aware that there is littlein the way of publicly available advicefor diabetes sufferers.

Peter added: “Jasmine was luckybecause I am a qualified podiatrist,but there are many people who arenot receiving the right information onhow diabetes can affect the lowerlimbs and what can be done tomanage the risk.

“This is why I wrote the book‘Undefeeted by Diabetes’ and whyTina and I are using it to start aglobal campaign to cut down thenumber of people losing lower limbsto the disease.”

Podiatry firm wins award

The Undefeeted team receive their award from the Key Person of Influence programme.

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PATIENTS receiving a new hip atOrmskirk hospital are getting back ontheir feet faster with the help ofbetter rehabilitation techniques.

Thanks to the new approach KerrynBailey, 54, was walking on his newhip with support three hours afterreturning from surgery. He wenthome the next day.

He said: “I was using a frame at firstand then sticks. The crutches weregone after two weeks and by weekfour I was feeling back to normal.”

A retired Merseyside Police officer of33 years, who now drives part-timefor Asda, Kerryn originally injured hiship in a motorcycle accident and laterbegan to suffer arthritis.

“Before the operation I couldn’t walkmore than 100 yards, but thetreatment has been fantastic,” headded. “I couldn’t fault the NHS. Theoperation has transformed my life.”

The accelerated rehabilitationprogramme has been developed bythe physiotherapy and occupationaltherapy team and surgeons atOrmskirk hospital.

Traditional rehabilitation advisedpatients to restrict their movementsand make temporary adaptations athome, but this limited independencefor up to six weeks after surgery.

Joanne Kenyon, orthopaedic therapyteam leader at Ormskirk hospital,said there was little evidence tosupport this approach.

She added: “Instead we assess each

patient before their operation andprovide appropriate equipment fortheir individual needs. This reducesanxiety for the patient and saves theNHS money because we’re no longerproviding unnecessary equipment.”

Consultant orthopaedic surgeonMatthew Cartwright-Terry, whoperformed Kerryn’s operation, added:“Twenty-five years ago it wasn’tuncommon for patients to be inhospital two to three weeks after atotal hip replacement. Now it’s twoor three days – and our ambition isto get discharge down to 24 hourswhere it’s appropriate.

“Improved anaesthetics and how wereduce bleeding and swelling have allhelped, but so too has ouraccelerated rehabilitation programmewhere we’re supporting patients helpin their own recovery.”

Better rehab techniquegets Kerryn on his feetafter just three hours

Kerryn Bailey with consultant orthopaedicsurgeon Matthew Cartwright-Terry.

A PHYSIOTHERAPIST at Bristol RoyalInfirmary has developed an app tohelp people who suffer from backpain manage their own recovery.

For less than the cost of aprescription, getUbetter-lower backpain, supports patients in returning

to full health with a recoveryprogramme managed via the appthat takes them from day one oftheir injury through to recovery andbeyond. It is designed to help bothpeople who are seeing a healthprofessional and those who aren’t.

The app was developed bygetUbetter founder Dr CareyMcClellan, otherwise known as DrMac.

He said: “A third of the UKpopulation will have back pain atany one point in time. GetUbetter

apps combine clinical experience,evidence and technology to providea safe and secure system to supportpatients when they are not withtheir GP or healthcare professional.”

The app costs £4.99 and works onboth Android and Apple devices.

App helps back pain sufferers manage their own recovery

A MOTHER and daughter who bothstudied occupational therapy at theUniversity of Derby have gained a jobin the same hospital team.

Lisa Turner completed the BSc (Hons)occupational therapy course in 2012,just months before her daughterRosie signed up to the same degree.

Lisa works as a senior occupationaltherapist in the medicine and surgeryteam at Chesterfield Royal Hospital,and will welcome Rosie to the teamshortly. The pair recently celebratedRosie’s graduation at Derby Arena aspart of the University’s awardceremonies.

Lisa said: “I am so glad I chose toundertake a degree in occupationaltherapy at the University of Derby asit has led to a very successful andrewarding career.

“In addition, this has inspired myown daughter to follow in myfootsteps and I am extremely proudof her and look forward to working

with her and sharing our love foroccupational therapy for theforeseeable future.”

Lisa’s career path at the University ofDerby began in 2002 when sheundertook a BA (Hons) degree inEducation Studies and English beforereturning to study at the University in2009 after a complete change incareer paths.

Rosie, who is currently working onthe medicine and surgery ward at theQueen’s Medical Centre inNottingham, is due to start her newjob in February.

She said: “Even knowing my mumworked there I had no doubt that Iwanted the job as the occupationaltherapy department at Chesterfield isexcellent and I wanted to be a partof it. Me and my mum get along verywell and so I knew we would workwell together and I am very muchlooking forward to joining herteam.”

Lisa Turner and her daughter Rosie.

Rosie joins her mum insame hospital OT team

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Thuasne appoints newbusiness unit managerTHUASNE is pleased to announcethat Ben Austen has joined their UKbusiness to help further develop theirorthotic team.

Ben joins as business unit managerand comes with a wealth ofexperience, having spent more thanseven years at DJO Global.

He said: “I am excited to have joinedThuasne and I look forward tobuilding a close relationship with ournew potential customers andpresenting our new product portfolioand the value that we could add to

your practice.”

Thuasne is a globally recognisedcreator, manufacturer and distributorof wearable medical devices,including braces, supports andmedical garments.

The company has been family ownedsince 1847 and is the market leaderin France.

Thuasne provides ‘wings for yourhealth’ by elevating each person’sactive involvement in their ownhealth and medical care.

Townsend Design was acquired in2011, allowing Thuasne to expandthe portfolio to include rigid kneebraces and focus on more customisedtherapeutic solutions.

Many of you may already be usingsome of the Thamert brandedproducts, such as the Epi-medepicondylitis clasp.

Over the next year we will belaunching new products from theThuasne and Townsend ranges, but

also re-launching products that mayhave been hidden in our wideportfolio.

Our expert team will be pleased tocome and present the products inyour clinic.

The Malleo Dynastab is the latestinnovation from Thuasne in responseto the problem of ankle sprains.

East fitting and removal is achievedwith a wide opening and the optionof traditional lacing or the fast andreliable Boa® tightening system.

Metal reinforcements and twoadditional strapping straps improveimmobilisation.

The antibacterial-treated 3D knitprovides effective moisture wickingand the slim design means it can beworn in most types of shoe.

Stock holding can be reduced withthe brace having just three sizes andbeing universal left and right.

Contact us on 01295 257422 to arrange ademo or visit us at BAPO on stand 46. Ben Austen

LEEDS Community Healthcare Trustis supporting the city’s mostvulnerable with its ‘Walking on Air’initiative as part of its WinterWarmth Campaign.

Launched at St George’s CryptHomeless Shelter in the city centre,the initiative sees NHS foot healthexperts delivering basic foot care,education and issuing foot-carepacks to those who might nototherwise know how to accesssupport.

Lynda Dexter, specialist podiatrist,said: “The idea came from workingwith vulnerable client groups in thepast. Often clients tell us they are‘walking on air’ after they havereceived podiatry treatment.

“It is essential that people seektreatment at the early stages toreduce further foot complicationsand today is about starting aconversation with vulnerablepeople in our city, so they knowwhere to go for further help andsupport for this and other healthissues.”

The launch event was opened byCouncillor Bill Urry, Leeds CityCouncil Member with responsibilityfor homelessness.

He said: “This initiative brings us

another step towards our ambitionthat health and social care partnersshould work together more andmore closely.

“Our aim is for the health of thepoorest to increase the quickest.This is just one example of how aninnovative approach is helping toimprove access to health careservices for those most in need.

“It is a vital part of the oftenunseen work that so many peopledo in partnership, to mitigatehealth problems for those whomost need help.”

The ‘Waking on Air initiative willalso visit city based charities theJoanna Project, The RefugeeService and York Street HealthPractice over the coming week toprovide foot health support toother vulnerable groups.

It s a working partnership betweenLeeds Community HealthcareTrust’s Podiatry Service and its YorkStreet Health Practice, whichprovides primary care to thehomeless and vulnerably housedpeople of Leeds.

The foot care packs are funded bythe Leeds Community HealthcareCharity, which provides additionalfunding to enhance NHS care.

City’s vulnerable helpedto their feet by initiative

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BROTHERS Kian and Callum Jarramreceived the best Christmas presentthey could have dreamed of whenthey received new silicone prostheticfeet.

Both boys were born with AdamsOliver Syndrome, a condition thataffects the growth of their hands andfeet. The syndrome is an extremelyrare condition that also affects theboys’ father, Jon, who has undergonemultiple amputations due to thecondition, and now wears aprosthetic leg and foot.

The boys have shortened hands, feet,fingers and toes and Callum has alsoundergone an amputation to hisfoot. Jon, Kian and Callum arethought to be the only people in theUK to have Adams Oliver Syndrome.

The boys have never let theircondition stand in the way of theirlove of football, although they bothsuffered from callousing, sores andbruising of their feet as they did nothave suitable prosthetic feet to wear.

Jon contacted the Blatchford Clinic,enquiring about high definition

silicone feet for his sons, and withinsix weeks managed to raise enoughmoney to fund new feet for bothboys.

After an initial consultation withMark Ledger, principal prosthetist atthe Blatchford Clinic, casts weremade of the boys’ feet. Mark enlistedthe help of Sophie de Oliveira Barata,director of the Alternative LimbProject, to design and manufacturethe feet for the boys.

The high definition silicone feet arenot only comfortable, allowing Kianand Callum to walk, run and playfootball without pain or discomfort,but are extremely life-like inappearance. The boys are no longerworried about other children askingthem why their feet look differentwhile they get changed at school orwalking around the swimming pool.

Jon said: “It’s been difficult for theboys, being asked what is wrongwith their hands and feet by otherchildren. Life will be easier for themnow and I can’t thank Markenough.”

Brothers Kian and Callum Jarram from Leicester receive their new prosthetic feet.

Football mad brothers’new feet are a dreamChristmas present

A WORCESTERSHIRE business hassecured almost £100,000 through ahealthcare competition to addresschallenges in older people withmultiple morbidities.

Safekeeping Solutions, based inWinchenford, has received the cashfrom SBRI Healthcare, an NHSEngland funded initiative to developinnovative products that addressunmet health needs.

Seeking to accelerate thedevelopment and adoption of newtechnologies in the NHS, the £1mSBRI award will be shared by 11 smallbusinesses across the UK.

The funding will be used by

Safekeeping Solutions to validate thetechnical feasibility and commercialvalue of an innovative bed-exitsensor.

The technology aims to improve carerresponse times and deliver fewerfalse alarms, ultimately reducing NHScosts significantly and improvingpatient care.

Ruth Allen, director of SafekeepingSolutions, said: "As an occupationaltherapist, my clinical experienceworking with individuals at risk offalling has led me to believe thattechnology has a crucial role to playin the multi-faceted approach to fallsprevention.

Firm to develop products

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Cerebral Palsy Sport announcespartnership with DM OrthoticsNATIONAL disability sports charityCerebral Palsy Sport and DMOrthotics have announced the startof a new corporate charitypartnership.

DM Orthotics, who design andmanufacture dynamic elastomericfabric orthoses, are helping to fundCerebral Palsy Sport’s KickStartprogramme.

CP Sport’s KickStart programme aimsto develop new areas of sustainableCP specific football all across thecountry.

By working with County FAs,Football League Clubs and localcharities and authorities, theprogramme encourages activity anddeveloping playing opportunities forall.

DM Orthotics will be actively gettinginvolved in the programme byattending KickStart events aroundthe country and will helping promotethe work of CP Sport more widely toencourage even more children andyoung people to get involved.

Martin Matthews, managing directorof DM Orthotics, said: “We are

delighted to be working inpartnership with CP Sport.

“DM Orthotics’ ethos is aboutencouraging independence and weare an advocate for active lifestyles.

“In this respect CP Sport and theirgrass roots sports programmes forpeople with cerebral palsy is aperfect fit.

“We are really looking forward togetting involved with CP Sport’sevents and helping to promotesports participation for people withCP around the country.”

Ali Talbot, chief executive of CerebralPalsy Sport, added: “It is fantastic tohave the support of DM Orthotics.

“Our KickStart programme hasalready helped hundreds of childrenand young people to access fun,regular and appropriate CP specificsessions in their local area, and it iswith the help of partnerships like thisone with DM Orthotics that we hopeto help many more.”

DM Orthotics is kicking off thepartnership by speaking at CerebralPalsy Sport’s Disability Sportconference in Nottingham.

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Matrix family ofAFOs designedfor drop footDESIGNED and manufactured at ourfacility in Sheffield, UK, Trulife’sMatrix family of Ankle Foot Orthoses(AFOs) are designed primarily forpatients with drop foot.

The Matrix range allows the clinicianthe ultimate in clinical choice, with allactivity levels and conditions cateredfor.

Carbon Composite Material

Trulife’s Matrix AFOs aremanufactured to the highest qualitystandards, through an advancedmanufacturing process using acarbon and glass fibre compositematerial. Carbon is utilised for itsstiffness and lightness; glass fibre forits elasticity and energy return.

Carbon Composite vs. Plastic

Clinical studies have demonstratedthe benefits of carbon compositesover plastic – when used to correctdrop foot, functionality andcorrective forces from plastic AFOswill become less effective over time,whereas carbon composite AFOsremain comparably unaffected.

Multiple Layers for Durability &Strength

More than 25 layers of compositematerials are combined to createeach Matrix AFO, ensuring that thefinal product is durable, with

maximum strength and optimalfunctionality. The end result is aunique AFO that is light in weightand minimalist in design, withcharacteristics of both flexibility andrigidity consistent with efficient gait.

Matrix Max

Matrix Max has been designed with areinforced lateral strut, suitable forhigh activity patients with unilateralor bilateral drop foot.

Enquiries: For more information pleasecontact [email protected] or to speak to

our customer services team,call 0800 581 596.

THE NHS Tayside musculoskeletalteam has been presented with anaward for enhancing patient dignityand standards of care by theChartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The team, which is based acrossTayside in GP practices, communityand acute hospitals, received thenational award at a ceremony inLondon.

It recognises the work undertaken byphysiotherapy staff across Tayside toredesign the treatment pathway andimprove waiting times for peopleneeding advice or treatment for jointand soft tissue problems.

Redesigning the pathway has meantthat patients can access informationand support more quickly, receive agreater range of diagnostic tests andenhanced treatment options, allwithout having to wait to see aconsultant.

Staff have developed advanced roleswith increased skills and have

introduced a single system approachacross Tayside providing greaterconsistency to the range and qualityof services that patients can expect.

Getting the right advice or seeing theright people at the right time in theright place means that people recovermore quickly and are more confidentabout how to prevent their injuryrecurring.

Karen Anderson, interim allied healthdirector for NHS Tayside, said: “NHSTayside is very proud to have suchenthusiastic and skilled clinical staffbeing recognised for their work.

“There have been a significantnumber of improvements deliveredby the allied health staff in Taysideacross outpatient services over thepast two years.

“These have been led by staff andhave involved patients from acrossTayside who told us whatimprovements could be made to theservice.”

Patient care award for NHSTayside physiotherapy team

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Orthotix – supporting your wellbeing ORTHOTIX was established in 2004to provide ready-made orthoses tothe NHS supplementing the bespokeproduct already being supplied by itsholding company, Dacey Ltd.

Today Orthotix is the leading sportsand orthopaedic bracing businessbased in Wales supplying a diverserange of products to customersacross the UK and Ireland.

Originally set up in the South Walesvalley town of Merthyr Tydfil, thebusiness has expanded significantlysince its inception, adding furtheroffices and an additional warehouseto its site in the capital city, Cardiff.

The family run business uniquelybenefits from its close relationshipwith its sister company Ace Feet InMotion Ltd and its holding companyDacey Ltd, accumulating over 50years worth of experience in thehealthcare industry.

Through continued productdevelopment instigated by theHealthcare Professionals employedwithin its group of companies,Orthotix is able to offer innovativebest value products, with many nowbeing made at both of their ownmanufacturing facilities in Wales.

Popular items such as stock gaiters,abdominal supports, lumbosacralbelts, maternity supports, slings,cervical collars and limb de-rotationorthoses are just a handful of theproducts which are now fabricatedon site.

In addition to its own branded range,Orthotix has established tradepartnerships with two large Europeancompanies, Orliman and Pavis.

To date, these relationships havegiven rise to the introduction ofestablished external market leadingproducts to the UK marketplace.

This has enabled British and Irishcustomers to purchase the likes ofthe Boxia Drop Foot AFO and theWellness Line 100 per cent CottonHernial Briefs/Boxers, for the firsttime.

Due to the special workingrelationship between Orthotix andtheir trade partners there have beennumerous product collaborationswhere expertise from both companieshave been utilised to design anddevelop innovative products such asthe hugely successful soft shellhelmet, “Head Protex”.

This offers a comfortable and easy tofit stock solution that providessuitable skull protection for childrenat risk from head injury. They areavailable in a bright pink, aqua orblack colour.

The latest exciting addition to theproduct portfolio is a collection of

orthopaedic bracing designedspecifically for children.

The range branded as “Paediatrix”has been created for commonchildhood injuries and conditions,with functionality, comfort andaesthetics in mind. Included in thisrange are the ever popular Feet InMotion FFO’s, and the newSingle/Double Tibiofemoral De-rotation Orthoses which have beendeveloped by their team of Orthotistsover the past 18 months.

Going forward Orthotix will becompiling its new product cataloguefor release in April, showcasing over25 new products.

The business plans to continue itsexpansion with a new emphasis onretail and export.

For any product or trade enquiriescontact Orthotix on 02920 370 696

or email [email protected]

Physio Med helps John Lewis Partnershipsave more than 41,000 working daysMEDICAL evidence shows that earlyphysiotherapy intervention onmusculoskeletal injuries can preventacute conditions becoming chronicand promote swifter recovery.

John Lewis Partnership wanted asolution to help partners (staff) recovermore quickly and safely from injuriesand conditions, plus a wideroccupational health and preventativemeasures service to safeguard theirwellbeing.

Brief

With 94,000 partners across 414 UKsites, including John Lewis andWaitrose stores, distribution centresand group sites, the range of job rolesat JLP is vast, with many beingphysically demanding.

With access to NHS physiotherapytaking up to 14 weeks, partnerssuffering from musculoskeletaldisorders were often absent fromwork for extended periods or lessproductive at work.

JLP wanted to offer all partnersconsistent and timely access tophysiotherapy and OH services, toreduce the incidence, duration andrecurrence of musculoskeletal injuriesand associated sickness absence.

JLP’s objectives included:

� Reducing MSD-related discomfortand pain levels in employees.

� Minimising associated absence andfacilitating quicker returns to work.

� Improving productivity.

� Reducing the incidence, durationand recurrence of MSD-relatedabsence.

Solution

Physio Med began working with JLP’sPartnership Health Services in August2013, implementing its innovative,award winning Physiotherapy AdviceLine service, providing fast access to ablended approach of telephone triage,remote multimedia self-managementand on-site face-to-face treatment.

Partners reporting an injury via JLP’sHealth Hub receive a triage call fromPhysio Med within four hours,followed by an initial assessment froma senior chartered physiotherapistwithin three days.

This includes evidence-based clinicalquestions, plus diagnostic movementsand tasks to decide if they requireface-to-face treatment or can self-manage their condition via PAL.

Those suitable for self-managementreceived personalised treatment plans,exercises and advice to assist the

healing process, including:

� Advice regarding work stations,lifestyle, medication, posture andmethods of symptomatic relief.

� Advice on modifying the workingday to accommodate the injury.

� An individually tailored progressivephysiotherapist-designed, exerciseprogramme to aid healing,communicated via video exercise filesavailable on computer, smartphone ortablet.

Partners allocated face-to-facetreatment were treated at a JLP on-sitefacility or one of Physio Med’s 780networked practices.

Outcome

With lengthy NHS physiotherapywaiting times, the key drivers for JLPwere reducing employee absence andimproving the productivity of those atwork but suffering pain.

Between February 2014 and January2015, Physio Med received 2,324appropriate referrals. Initial assessmentappointments were within an averageof 1.9 working days of the triage call.Two-thirds of all referrals were thenmanaged remotely, 18 per cent werereferred for face-to-face interventionand 15 per cent referred for face-to-

face after the 10-day remoteintervention.

58 per cent of partners weredischarged after 10 days, as theircondition was resolved or they wereeffectively self-managing.

A fifth of employees were absent fromwork at referral, with 25 per cent atwork on modified duties and 55 percent at work but in pain andoperating at reduced productivitylevels. Of those off sick at referral, 89per cent returned to work followingtreatment and 96 per cent of all whoused the service were safelymaintained at or returned to work.

The average reported reduction inpain was 55 per cent and productivityimproved by 24 per cent (59 per centto 83 per cent) equating to 1.2 dayspp/pw working a five-day week.

Based on the 2,324 referrals, JLPestimates it saved 41,010 workingdays, delivering an estimated saving ofmore than £2,676,000 – whichequates to an ROI figure of 5:1.

Physio Med reports back to JLP on ahost of criteria – including anatomicalinjury site, job roles and furtherbreakdown of the service impact – tohelp JLP put measures in place toreduce future injuries and issues.

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new products for 2016

Firm retains market leadDrop foot just got simpler

Cyclone offers ARIA 1.0

Toilet helps independence What makes us different?

M4s Dynamic PCL to launch

TalarMade is introducing the newTurboMed FS3000 AFO into the UKin April.

This revolutionary AFO is designedto be a clever alternative to existingthermoplastic and carbon fibreAFO’s and provides excellent energyreturn without limiting function.

Its patented injection mouldedthermoplastic construction attachesdirectly to the shoe minimising therisk of irritation to the skin whileallowing the patient to walk easilyand comfortably on uneven surfacesand even run.

Its patented design makes it easy totransfer from shoe to shoe and isincredibly lightweight. It can besuccessfully used with lace-up shoes,trainers, walking boots/shoes andsandals.

Enquiries: For more information onthe FS3000 please visit us on our

stand at BAPO or alternativelycontact us on 01246 268456 or

email [email protected]

A NEW product offered by CycloneTechnologies is the ARIA 1.0 fromItaly.

Aria Wheels is a company founded in2014 by Marco Paolucci and StefanoEsposito. Both industrial designers,they decided to combine their skills,experiences and passions, into thecreation of ethical products for themobility field.

Stefano is a chair user since hismotorbike accident 10 years ago.

When they deepened their researchin the field of disability productsthey found that there is not reallyany design behind most products.

And, as designers they learned thatbefore you make something youhave to understand all the needs ofthe user before you can progress.

Following this thinking and the

feedback from Stefano, they studiedand researched for about two yearsto understand how to make a betterchair and understood where therewas the need to improve on all theother products in this field.

Their mission is simple – it’sessentially to improve the life ofpeople using wheelchair!

Enquiries: Visit www.cyclonemobility.com or call 0800 180 48 50

MORE than 100,000 people inBritain currently are amputees. Themajority of limb loss is throughdiabetes, with new researchshowing that figure is now at recordlevels: 135 each week!

The Clos-o-Mat Palma Vita wash &dry toilet, and Aerolet toilet lift, canbe used together, or independently,to help amputees go to the toiletwithout reliance on a carer forsupport or cleanliness.

Looking like, and capable of beingused as, a conventional WC, thePalma Vita has built-in douching anddrying. So there is no need to wipeclean afterwards. A raft ofaccessories, including arm supports,touch-sensitive and infra-redoperating switches, further extendthe user’s non-reliance on a carer.

Aerolet toilet lifts fix over the toilet

and replicate the natural motion ofstanding up and sitting down. Theygently raise and lower the user toposition them accurately over thetoilet as required whileenablingtheir feet to remain in contact withthe floor and maintaining the centreof gravity above the feet forbalance. After toileting, the lift canbe raised by degrees to ease accessfor cleansing.

Enquiries: Visit www.clos-o-mat.com

WE believe that a productsprovenance is of the utmostimportance.

Producing quality orthopaedicgoods made by skilledmachinists, using premiummaterials and keeping skillsalive in the UK is what makesus different to ourcompetition.

Because all our orthopaedicsoft good products areproduced on site, we cantailor goods to suit individualhospital and patient needs.

Not all patients are the same,custom and stock productscan be made to your specific

measurements.

So, if you need your productlonger, shorter, wider,additional straps, in adifferent material, sky blueand pink with yellow dotsthen we are the company tocome to.

Enquiries: If you have anyunusual needs or would like

something specific thenplease contact Customer

Service 01254 268788.

medi UK is delighted to announcethat the new M4s Dynamic PCLbrace will be launched in the comingweeks.

Based on the successful design ofthe market leading M4s, medi haveworked with renowned kneespecialists around the world tofurther develop the brace for peakperformance in the conservative andpost op management of PCL injury.

Slightly longer than normal and witha well-placed tensioning dial on theenlarged posterior calf pad, theinnovative design and qualitymanufacturing ensures that theoptimum pressure is achieved foreach patient individually.

Fully adjustable and intuitive to fitand use, it ensures that the patientcan achieve the best in comfort andtherefore compliance for every day

of wearing of prolonged rehab.

Enquiries: Call 01432 373500, [email protected]

or visit www.mediuk.co.uk orshop.mediuk.co.uk

PEGASUS Orthotics Ltd remain theonly company outside of NorthAmerica to be granted an exclusivelicense to design and manufactureour particular style of CAD-CAMdirect milled orthoses throughoutthe UK, Ireland and Europe.

From our purpose-built premises inNorthern Ireland we haveestablished ourselves as the marketlead.

The accuracy of our 3D laser, castand footscan data capture in bothcast and foot result in a trueprescription orthotic, matchingperfectly the anatomy of the foot.

As a company we continue to evolveand innovate and remain at theforefront of digital cast and footcapture providing the most accurateand versatile custom made footorthotic available.

Enquiries: Telephone 028 92 107200or visit www.pegasusorthotics.com

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LOCUM Notion is well aware that thelast thing that service companieswant to do is rely upon locum coverfor their clinics.

However, we also realise thatunavoidable situations may arise inwhich locum cover is essential toensure the smooth running of clinics.

The foundation of Locum Notion wasbased upon the desire to meet theneeds of both NHS Trusts, privatelycontracted service providers, andlocum orthotists, with the aim ofprimarily making the process ofcovering clinics as stress-free andseamless as possible, while providingthe highest level of service all round.

The Quays Orthotic Practice wasestablished in 2011 by Pam Coulton,who has previously worked asprinciple orthotist within the NHS andmore recently as clinical orthoticsupport for one of the large serviceproviders.

Pam also has many years ofexperience working as a locumorthotist, and has used this to createLocum Notion, the only agency of itskind in the UK.

Long or short term cover is possible,meaning that we can handleeverything from illness orcompassionate leave, through toannual leave or even longer periodsincluding maternity cover.

Our locums have experience in allareas of orthotics including spinal,foot and ankle, neuro, paediatrics,rheumatology, diabetic and gait lab;and have knowledge of NHS ITsystems as well as OPAS and CIMS.

All locums are experienced HCPCregistered orthotists, with anadvanced DBS available, and weensure all of our clinicians carryphoto ID while in clinic.

Using the services of Locum Notionremoves the hassles involved withtrying to book locums for your clinics.

With one phone call we can have alocum booked with all of the correctexperience required for your specificneeds.

We will ensure that the locum isprovided with all information neededby them in order to professionallycover the clinic, including;hospital/clinic address, clinic times,

contact details, specific tools requiredetc.

If you’re an orthotist with the agency,we will offer work that fits yourclinical profile, but we will also bookand pre-pay hotels and meals ifnecessary, pay top session ratesquickly on receipt of invoice,guarantee good mileage rates, andprovide specific CPD opportunitieswhere possible.

Whether you are trying to cover anoccasional free period in your diary,or whether you wish us to provide

your work year-round, you will bepart of the team, and ourprofessional staff will work to ensurethat we take good care of yourbusiness.

So, if you’re responsible for coveringclinics, or if you’re an orthotistlooking to fill your diary, call us today,or pop to our stand at BAPO andhave a chat with someone from ourteam, who will be more than happyto fill in any blanks, or give moredetailed information on pricing andavailability.

Ensure the smooth running ofyour clinic with Locum Notion

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Sports scholars to benefit fromnew medical care programmeA NEW medical care programme, the first of itskind in an Irish university, will directly benefit thisyear’s 60 sports scholarship recipients.

Established by the Orthopaedics & Sports MedicineUnit, Trinity Sport, and the Student Health Service,the health and fitness of Trinity’s high performingsports students will be assessed, monitored andtreated through the new programme.

The athletes will have access to top class medicalexpertise to ensure that their fitness and well-beingis optimised and their sporting performancemaximised. The addition of the support structureis regarded as integral to the Trinity SportsScholarship programme.

Alongside other services such as strength andconditioning, mentoring, time management advice,physiological testing and nutrition workshops, thescholarship initiative has been developed in recentyears to allow students realise their sportingambitions, alongside academic excellence.

Sixty sports scholarships were awarded across 13sports at the recent 2015/16 awards ceremony.Supported by the Bank of Ireland, the recipientsinclude Commonwealth Games athletes VictoriaMullin (air pistol) and Prakash Vijayanath(badminton); second year student Rachel O’Brienwho was recently announced as vice captain of theLeinster U21 hockey team; senior inter countyGaelic footballers Tiaran Daly (Fermanagh) andMichael O’Grady (Kildare); U21 all Ireland hurling

winner and first year, Eoghan McNamara; three ofthe crew who won Trinity’s first Senior IV Nationaltitle in 12 years, Sally O’Brien, Aoife Leahy andGillian Crowe; and two students from the Centrefor Inclusion and Intellectual Disability, MaevePhillips, European and World Down Syndromeswimming medallist and Fiachra Costello, minorfootball champion and hurling league honoursrecipient.

Michelle Tanner, head of sport at Trinity andPresident of the European Network of AcademicSports Services, said: “Trinity is immensely proud ofthe sporting talent and achievements of our highperforming students.

“We are committed to providing them with thebest support services and our strategic partnershipswith the Bank of Ireland and the Orthopaedics &Sports Medicine Unit clearly evidences thecontinued development of the programme.

“Sport continues to play an essential role in thetotality of the student experience and our SportsScholarship recipients are ambassadors for theirpeers and the college community”.

Cathal Moran, professor of Orthopaedics & SportsMedicine at Trinity, and surgeon at the SportsSurgery Clinic in Santry, added: “We are delightedto be working with Trinity Sport in bringing aworld class system of sports medicine care to theathletes and students of Trinity College Dublin.

“This programme is a first in the Irish university

setting. Bringing together our Department ofOrthopaedics and Sports Medicine from the Schoolof Medicine, Trinity Sport, and the Student HealthService shall drive a critical 360-degree approach toresearch, education and clinical care in the field ofsports and soft tissue injuries.

“By linking together in this way, we can not onlyserve our students better, but will also deliver aprogramme that will allow Trinity contribute in newways to the global scientific, medical and socialcommunity.”

Among the Sports scholarship recipients were (L-R)Prakash Vijayanath, Badminton, Brian Foley, AssociationFootball, Brian Du Toit, Rugby, Sally O’Brien, Rowing, AnnaMay Whelan, Hockey (sitting), Darragh O’Donoghue,Hurling, Aisling Smith, Kayak, Robbie Clarke, Hockey(sitting) and Michael O’Grady, Gaelic Football.

Piedro ‘Concepts’ or ‘Essentials’– the choice is yours2016 sees the launch of our new andinnovative ‘Piedro Concepts’ range.

An extensive collection of specialistorthopaedic footwear in fun, vibrantand practical designs that can bemade in any of our unique designspecifications including; AFO,Rehabilitation, Stability, Reverse lastedand Multi-Purpose (high modelsonly).

Our ‘Concepts’ footwear collectionhas been carefully structured andarranged into distinct size / age rangecategories. This makes it really simpleto find exactly what you are lookingfor – simply head to the relevantsection for the size of footwear youneed, choose the model you requirefrom the range on offer and thenplace your order.

Your footwear will be made to order,to the exact size, width, colour,fastening and specification youchoose and delivered within two tothree weeks.

Additionally you can also choose anyadaptations or insoles needed whenyou place your order. Anymodifications are added during

manufacture for the best possible fitand finish. You can also order splitsizes and or widths too.

We have provided an easy to usefootwear specification guide, thisexplains all of the different footwearspecifications on offer, what featuresand benefits each constructionmethod offers and the level ofsupport they provide.

Ordering orthopaedic footwear isabout to get a whole lot easier!

Our Piedro ‘Essentials’ footwearcollection incorporates our popularstandard and stability boots amongstmany others which will now form ourstock footwear range.

All orders for stock items placedbefore 2pm are shipped the sameday and be with you in between oneand three working days.

Footwear from the Piedro ‘Essentials’collection can be ordered in the sameway as before, is suitable foradaptations and can accommodatecustom and off the shelf orthotics.

Whichever collection you choosefrom you can rest assured that with

each and every pair of Piedrofootwear they are all made to thehighest possible standards, using thehighest quality leathers andcomponents and include over 50years’ expertise for well fitting, long-lasting and supportive footwear.

We will be showcasing our new 2016designs at this year’s BAPOconference.

Visit us on stand 40 to take a sneakpreview at the new collection beforeour grand launch later this year!

Call today for more information on0845 617 1976, register to receive a

catalogue by [email protected] or visit

www.piedro-uk.co.ukto see our online range.

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OTTOBOCK is proud to introduceJonathan Adams, a Paralympianwho has competed in both thediscus and shot put, as anambassador.

Jonathan, from Bury St. Edmunds,Suffolk, was selected to become anambassador due to his fightingspirit. He has overcome a number ofhurdles to get where he is todayand through sheer determinationand the help of a custom-madeOttobock Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis(KAFO) system, is now competing asa top-level standing thrower.

Jonathan started out in life with adifficult introduction to the worldhaving been born nine-and-a-halfweeks early and then not long afterdiagnosed with Spastic HemiplegicCerebral Palsy, a neurologicalcondition that affects movementand co-ordination.

This meant he was in and out ofhospital requiring medical treatmentfrom the very start, for conditionsrelating to his premature birth, aswell several surgeries on his legthroughout his life to counteractsome of the symptoms brought onby Cerebral Palsy.

Jonathan started off – and for mostof his life – using a wheelchair witha special helmet.

He said: “While being diagnosed

with a disability early in life youdon’t realise that that isn’t how lifeshould be, but as you get older thedifferences start to show.”

Jonathan became involved in sportswhile at primary school and tookpart in the Norfolk Youth Games,bitten by the sports bug andcontinued to compete in variousyouth competitions.

2006 marked the start of aparticularly trying time for Jonathanwhere he endured several surgerieson his legs and, as a result, left himunable to walk unaided for a long

period of time.

Despite all this, by 2011 he stillmanaged to prove he was a greatcompetitor and was entered in theIWAS World Junior Championshipswhere he won silver in both discusand shot put.

However, because of all hissurgeries, by 2012 Jonathan wasforced to quickly retrain to enablehim to compete as a seated throwerand went on to represent GB at theLondon 2012 Paralympics.Reflecting on his achievements

He was originally fitted with a day

splint, which malfunctioned justbefore he competed at the 2014European Championships.

After failed attempts to get anothersplint from his original supplier,Jonathan was left with a severetendinitis injury of his right kneewhich had a catastrophic impact onhis ability to train, compete andfunction on a daily basis.

As a result of Jonathan'sperformance he consequently hadhis funding withdrawn.

This setback has allowed him tofight on with a renewed outlooktowards athletics, and is in pursuitof re-establishing himself among theworld’s best shot putters.

This year, to ensure he was gettingthe stability he needed, Jonathanwas fitted with a custom madeOttobock KAFO system; a leg bracedesigned especially for him usingcustom made joints and bars thathelp provide stability and strengthwhere the muscles can’t.

Jonathan added: “I was instantlyable to feel the difference forstability and I can get into the rightposition for throwing.”

With the brace Jonathan is now freeto concentrate on one step at atime, which has relieved some ofthe pressure.

Ottobock unveils ParalympianJonathan as an ambassador

Jonathan Adams is now competing as a top-level standing thrower.

UNIVERSITY of Bedfordshire studentswill be able to treat and diagnoseathletes and members of the publicthanks to a new Sports TherapyDiagnostic Clinic.

Granted funding at a recent ViceChancellor’s Student ExperienceProjects (Steps) Dragons’ Den eventin Bedford, the Clinic will be anextension to the free service alreadyoffered to staff and students at theUniversity.

Budding sports therapists will, whenthe new Clinic opens in Luton, beable to refer patients to theDiagnostic Clinic, rather than sendingthem outside the University fortreatment.

The project will give Sports Therapystudents vital placement time andallow them to follow a patient frominitial consultation to diagnosis andbeyond.

Awarding £22k to fund the first yearof the project – which will be self-

sustainable from there on – was apanel of Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell,Director of Policy Debbie McVitty,Director of Academic DevelopmentMark Atlay, Associate Dean (StudentExperience) for the Education andSport Faculty Ken Roberts andBedfordshire Students’ Union (BedsSU) Executive Officer Melissa Wilson.

They also gave the green light to the

proposal of a competition-leveltumble strip for the University’scheerleading and gymnastics teamsto practise on.

Alongside Bedfordshire’s stunt team,the cheerleading cohort have placedwell in national universitycompetitions, finishing top-two andtop-three in a pair of categories inthis year’s British Cheerleading

Association University Nationals.

The purchase of a £2,700 tumbletrack will ensure Bedfordshire isplaced, in the words of panellist KenRoberts, ‘on the mat’.

Also proposed during the eveningwas a Speakers’ Corner, with thepanel suggesting the idea should beworked on in collaboration with BedsSU.

New clinic means students can treatand diagnose athletes and public

The new clinic will be an extension to the free service already offered to staff and students at the University.

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Documents

Assistive Technologies February/March 2016