The Foot Project to Bring Aid to Migrant Crisis.

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A member of the Foot Project team treats a migrant

The Foot Project is returning to Greece again bringing their podiatry expertise to aid the continuing migrant crisis there. Firefly Orthoses continue to support this hugely important initiative that emphasises the value of podiatry within a primary healthcare spectrum.

During the 2016 annual SCP conference in Glasgow, Firefly met podiatrist Jack Loveday who plays a central role in the Foot Project. Firefly donated a selection of our over the counter (OTC) range of orthoses to the project.

Jack was part of a team of six podiatrists who visited a migrant camp in northern Greece earlier this year. As it was the team’s first visit to the location they were unsure what to expect on their arrival.  On review of their week long trip in early 2017, Jack reported the OTC devices provided by Firefly were crucial in treating many of the patients:

The orthotics Firefly donated to us this year have been by far the most useful item that we have taken on these trips, and the most well received – they have made a huge impact! – Jack Loveday

Ahead of their second trip to Greece, the group is seeking funding via a crowdfunding drive. We would encourage you to make a contribution to this worthy cause. Donate by visiting this link.

Firefly Announce Medical Advisory Board

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Firefly Orthoses announce the formation of a Medical Advisory Board. Find out more about the seven internationally renowned professionals whom who offer insight and direction to Firefly Orthoses.

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Excellence in Healthcare 2017

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We’re back on the road again, this time visiting Glasgow to attend the Excellence in Healthcare conference. The event runs across the 8th and 9th of June at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Firefly is represented at the conference by the wonderful Claire Carr. Make sure you call by to the Firefly stand to talk to Claire about Firefly’s range of foot orthoses and our other technical support services provided to Firefly’s customers.

Firefly’s Claire at Health in Excellence 2017

Claire will be on hand to provide info on our new shell material Delrin:

roughly half as much DELRIN® is required as that of a standard Polypropylene shell. Therefore, 2.5mm DELRIN® = 5mm Polypropylene to create the same level of support and can still be heat adjusted in the manner of a standard Polypropylene shell.

Also on display at the Firefly Orthoses stand are samples of the Richie Brace ankle foot orthotic. Firefly is the only licensed supplier of the Richie Brace to the Irish and UK market.

The conference incorporates four individual conferences in medicine, surgery, travel medicine, and podiatric medicine running in parallel over two days. Delegates will be free to move between the parallel conferences and attend sessions of interest from the different disciplines.

The four individual conferences will come together for key plenary sessions by inspirational speakers including:

  • John Meara, Harvard Medical School
  • James Logan, Department of Disease Control
  • Catherine Calderwood, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland
  • Greig Trout, Cancer Survivor

Firefly Summit 2017

Speaking of conferences, our own Firefly Summit 2017 is fast approaching. The Summit is being billed as the podiatry event of the year, where delegates will gain CPD points as leading podiatry clinicians from across the UK and Ireland offer their clinical gold.  Find out more about the Firefly Summit, the wonderful northwest coast of Ireland where the Summit will be held and how to get there.

2017 Northern Ireland Annual Conference

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We’re on the road once more, this time attending the Northern Ireland annual conference. The event takes place at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Newcastle, Co Down on Friday, April 7th.

Firefly will be exhibiting at the event. Maurya and Sorcha from our Technical Support team will be on hand to talk to you about Firefly’s range of custom made orthoses and services.

There is a strong schedule of speakers for the event including Steven Urry who will be discussing ‘Widget Biomechanics’.

Conference Schedule

At the Firefly Orthoses exhibition stand, we will have 3D patient foot data capture technology, the iPad and Structure Sensor. In Firefly’s clinics our podiatrists are capturing patient foot data using the Structure Sensor and ipad. You can see the scanners demonstrated here Here’s some further info on the technology and its application to capturing foot data here.

Podiatrists who use the Structure Sensor, quickly and easily submit their digital images along with digital prescription forms by email – reducing turn around times as Firefly receive the order immediately.  

If you are interested in finding out more about the Structure Sensor technology ask at our exhibition desk or contact [email protected]

 

Firefly is closed on Friday, March 17th | Saint Patrick’s Day

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Just a little note to let you know Firefly Orthoses is closed Friday, March 17th. It’s Saint Patrick’s Day, a national holiday here in the Republic of Ireland!

If you have any queries or questions for customer service or technical support on Friday you can contact us via email, [email protected]. We will reply to your email on our return on Monday.

On Friday if you are treating any patients who have been prescribed Firefly Orthoses, you can tell them they’re wearing a little bit of Ireland in their shoes.

From all at Firefly, have a great Saint Patrick’s weekend.

 

Firefly to Exhibit at Dynamic Practice | Coventry, March 2017

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We’re back on the road attending the Directorate of Podiatric Surgery Conference in Coventry on March 16th, 17th & 18th. The conference has been developed with the progression of podiatric surgery in mind with leading podiatric surgeons from the UK and USA speaking.

Firefly Stand | DOPS Conference

Firefly Orthoses stand @ DOPS Con in Coventry

Firefly will be exhibiting in the exhibition space at the conference, make sure to call over and say hello to Claire who will be manning the stand. Claire will have a selection of Firefly’s products on display at the stand. She will answer any questions you have about our ordering process, prescription forms or technical support.

The conference is co-chaired by Kaser Nazir [Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust] and Ryan McCallum [Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, Homerton University Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospitcal]. The conference programme outlines the programme as:

Podiatric surgeons of the future will increasingly have to surgically manage the high risk diabetic foot and provide leadership in the multidisciplinary team. The profession and the industry supporting podiatric surgery is also developing at a pace never seen before. New equipment and techniques have allowed surgeons to develop skills that inevitably improve patient experience and outcomes.

You will also nd an experienced faculty running the popular cadaver course which has become a highlight of the conference. Podiatric surgeons will be able to hone in their skills on complex procedures and learn from the experience of the faculty and colleagues.

If you would like to receive a Firefly Orthoses starter pack containing a Firefly product catalogue, order forms, Richie Brace catalogue, free post labels and other Firefly info you can leave your postal address with Claire at the conference or you can email your details to [email protected].

The full conference programme can be downloaded from this link.

FIREFLY SUMMIT 2017: PODIATRIC MSK

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What if you could chat with the UK’s top podiatrists over a glass of wine? What if they shared their “clinical gold” in practical quickfire presentations? What if you could spend the afternoon hiking, surfing, or golfing with those very same people? Or the evening at one of Ireland’s oldest pubs?

This year’s event promises to be distinct. The Firefly Summit 2017: Podiatric MSK will see 24 of the profession’s top minds, 12 female and 12 male, join over 100 delegates in Sligo, Ireland’s adventure capital and home of Firefly Orthoses.

Across September 29th and 30th, you’ll have the opportunity to acquire CPD points through a series of quickfire lectures. Learn from the UK and Ireland’s most renowned podiatric consultants and practitioners as they share their hands-on clinical practices. Advance your professional expertise by learning their “Clinical Gold”. 

The Firefly Summit seeks to connect you to these leading minds by removing the barriers of traditional conferences. A world famous surf spot, a renowned hiking destination and home to the world’s finest links golf courses, in Sligo you’ll get to dialogue with Podiatry’s best in relaxed atmospheres both in and out of the conference environment.

THE SPEAKERS

Emma Cowley, Sarah Davies, Hannah Yirrell, Emily Ball, Katherine Cook, Sarah Cameron, Sophie Roberts, Eileen Dolan, Claire O’Kane, Ruth Mackie, Diane Nicholl, Nicola Blower, Ian Griffiths, Nick Knight, Jon Palmer, Trevor Prior, Wayne Edwards, David Cashley, Glen Foley, Martin Mc Geough, Kevin Catterall, Kevin Catterall, Mark Smith, John Chadwick, Greg Gillanders.

Perched on the edge of Europe, Sligo is Ireland’s hidden jewel. Framed by spectacular mountains and the roar of the Atlantic ocean the landscape has a record of drawing creative spirits, leaving an indelible influence on those who visit. And with direct flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Ireland West Airport, Knock, escaping to Sligo is a breeze.

This year we wanted to make the summit experience a little more collaborative. Not only are the speakers already discussing topics, but they want to know what you’re interested in hearing about.

To make the event as relevant to you as possible we’re taking your suggestions as part of the registration process. Have your say by joining the waitlist now.

 Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire – W.B. Yeats
Tickets for the this year’s summit are available soon. Register for the waitlist to learn when, and you’ll enter yourself to win 1 of 100 free tickets. Numbers are limited, and we’ll soon close entry, so sign-up now.

 

JOIN THE WAITLIST

Firefly play small role in The Foot Project

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The Foot Project saw a team of 6 podiatrists visit refugee camps in Greece in December 2016. Firefly donated a selection of over the counter orthoses which were prescribed refugee patients who could benefit from orthoses.

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Plymouth University Launch Firefly Scholarship

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Firefly Orthoses’ partnership with Plymouth University continues to grow with the University announcing the Firefly Scholarship. The scholarship will take effect during the 2017/18 academic year.

The scholarship is devised for School of Podiatry students who show a special enthusiasm for the practice of musculoskeletal podiatry. The scholarship will contribute tuition fees of £2,500 for two final year BSc (Hons.) podiatry students for the 2017/18 academic year.

Both recipients will travel to Firefly’s headquarters in Sligo, Ireland to gain first-hand experience of how Firefly design and manufacture our custom made foot orthoses.  The students will become familiar with the combination of craftsmanship and technology that combine to make each pair of orthoses Firefly produce.

Firefly Scholarship

Podiatry at Plymouth Uni

As part of the partnership, Firefly clinical staff will present one full day of educational workshops at Plymouth University to the School of Podiatry’s final year students.

Criteria for applying for the scholarship

To be eligible for the award, you should be a well-motivated, committed and high-achieving final year undergraduate student, who requires financial support. You should demonstrate an interest in musculoskeletal practice. You should have an excellent record of academic achievement, with strong support from one academic and one clinical referee.

Click here to find out more about the Firefly Scholarship

For further details and how to apply for the scholarship, click this button to be brought to the Plymouth University website.

Founder and Medical Director of Firefly Orthoses, Martin Mc Geough welcomed the announcement of the scholarship and had this to say about the initiative:

The Plymouth university podiatry scholarship is a new initiative with Firefly. Two final year students will be awarded a scholarship bursary to help with university fees.

Our intent is to support podiatrists and this is a highly effective way of giving back to our profession. Both students will also have an opportunity to spend a week in our MSK clinical practices and lab division. They will observe how experienced MSK podiatrists practice and see our modern laboratory in operation.

We are very pleased to announce these scholarships.

About Plymouth University’s BSc (Hons.) Podiatry Programme

The BSc (Hons.) Podiatry is a three year, full-time degree. In the 2015 National Student Survey, 95% of the programme’s graduates praised it for having staff that are available to students when needed and 90% graduated feeling confident in tackling unfamiliar problems and situations as a direct result of the degree.

Further information about the Firefly scholarship and the podiatry degree can be sought by emailing [email protected].

Firefly Podiatrist promotes foot health in Tanzania

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Podiatrist Sarah O’Connell visited Tanzania in her final year of study to bring her skills and knowledge to help communities in the East African country.

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