I was fortunate to have known about Orthotics as my father was an Orthotist and during my teenage years in the early 1970s I was aware of the Garnet College meetings usually in September that resulted in OPTEC (Orthotic and Prosthetic Training Education Council). Under this format I studied from 1977 until 1981 at Salford College of Technology which subsequently became part of Salford University. At the same time The National Centre for Training and Education in Prosthetics and Orthotics came to fruition in 1972.
These centres including Paddington in London were the catalyst for change in how our professions were perceived within other Allied Health Professions. Up and until then the British Institute of Surgical Technologists conferred a Licentiate or Fellowship usually based on experience and advocacy by a member of the medical profession, and the apprenticeship to the licentiate ship was usually seven years. The three centres mentioned provided an academic as well as a practical training that was accountable and measured.
Graduates of these centres acquired a confidence in professional ability and were looking to be treated on a level playing field within the NHS. There was a change in polarity in thought between the Scottish and English systems that led to the formation of the Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (APO) in Scotland and the British Institute of Surgical Technologists (BIST) remaining in England.
The APO approach to professional development and in particular the early conferences proved very attractive to many Prosthetists and Orthotists across the UK, and it became apparent through discussions that time was right for State Registration. To allow this to happen the Westminster Civil Service would not negotiate with two elements of professional bodies as they saw it and therefore it fell to the office bearers of both organisations to find a way to unite the profession.
I like many others found a passion and enthusiasm for our profession as our learning pathways were enhanced by peer support and that of other professions who saw the benefit of our growing experiences. The foremost way of demonstrating this confidence was to ensure our professional body was robust and could fight above its weight and be regulated. This was a driving force for me, and I relished the challenge of leading a united profession forward and this was measured by the membership numbers and the early conference numbers that were supported not only by Prosthetists and Orthotists and the industry.
I am now retired however I have never lost the enthusiasm to promote our professions and it is important for future generations to be aware that our professions have come a long way in the last thirty years and it is imperative that BAPO maintains the momentum.
Willie Munro - Chairman, BAPO, 1995-1997