Clinical insights that keep us moving forward
When the Posture & Mobility Group (PMG) Conference opened its doors this July, Millbrook Healthcare was there to listen, learn and bring fresh thinking back to our wheelchair services. Representing us was Lesley Papworth, Wheelchair Services Implementation Lead, whose reflections from the event capture why this annual gathering still matters, both for our clinicians and for the people we support.
One clear message: closer multidisciplinary working
“Every session I attended cried out for stronger, more cohesive local MDTs,” Lesley recalls. “Good evidence only becomes great practice when everyone involved is on the same page.”
That theme echoed across the clinical updates she prioritised:
- Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway (CPIP) – a reminder that structured hip surveillance demands joint effort from therapists, surgeons and service providers alike.
- Supported weight‑bearing, even with painless hip dislocation – guidance that could spark some lively, useful conversations back in clinic.
- Osteotomy outcomes – the striking observation that the best surgical result can sometimes trail the worst non‑surgical outcome prompted fresh thinking about early intervention.
- Cryoneurolysis for spasticity – an innovative approach with the potential to reduce disability and broaden treatment choices.
- Pressure care – reinforcing how essential it is for every professional to give consistent, non‑conflicting advice to service users.
Innovation on show; where art meets science
Lesley is the first to admit that “new” equipment can feel overwhelming – every supplier brings something fresh to PMG. But two exhibits truly stood out for her because they blend creative design with clinical purpose:
- Gel Ovations® expanding range – modular gel pads that adapt to complex shapes for targeted pressure management.
- FormAlign® Woven Air – a versatile air matrix offering both support and advanced pressure relief.
“These products let the artist and the scientist work side by side,” Lesley notes. “They’re clever, but what’s more important is that they allow creativity to ensure the equipment feels right for the person using them.”
Efficiency and safety on the road
Switching to her manager’s hat, Lesley was equally interested in tools that keep frontline teams efficient and safe. A standout example was the new BEST Web feature from Soft Options, which allows clinical forms to be completed securely outside the service centre, supporting lone‑working safety by giving real time updates in BEST about the staff member’s location, as well as speeding up turnaround times for service users.
Events are only half the story
PMG gives us a concentrated burst of peer exchange and product discovery, but it works best when combined with year‑round collaboration:
- Sector events. Conferences keep us in step with the sector’s rapid pace of change, connecting us with innovators, clinicians and commissioners. Catch our highlights from the NAEP Conference.
- Community partners. Day in, day out, we refine services alongside local NHS teams, suppliers and third‑sector organisations.
- Service‑user insight. Home visits, feedback forums and wheelchair clinics keep our decisions grounded in real‑world experience.
It’s the mix of these three – national events, community partnership and lived experience – that shapes everything from our training calendars to our equipment choices.
“Staying in the office wouldn’t cut it,” Lesley says. “Working with our service users, working with our community partners and keeping up to date at conferences keeps us honest and keeps us moving.”
We look forward to PMG 2026!
