The Association of Orthopaedic Practitioners UK

MARK REES BA (Hons) PCE, RODP, BCC
NATIONAL CASTING TRAINING ADVISOR

Appointed by
BOA/RCN[SON]/AOP
Casting Techniques Sub-Committee

21st October 2022

To All British Casting Certificate Holders

Re: Theory & Practice of Musculoskeletal Casting & Splinting Module through Glasgow Caledonian University

Following several reviews and discussions with Glasgow Caledonian University, the University have taken the decision to not renew the contract for the above module. The current contract will cover all BCC courses and students up to and including the examinations scheduled for 30th June/01st July 2023 and will also support any of the students up until this time in relation to any assignment resubmissions.

The current cohort of students on the GCU BCC course will be the final course and the BCC course in Scotland will discontinue following this.

Some of the reasons for the University not renewing are outlined below.

1. Requirement of the exam site to be on the Glasgow Campus.

2. Requirement for the exam and courses to align with Scottish procurement process.

3. All courses to follow an identical programme of education including the use of the virtual learning platform for content delivery.

4. All courses to go to day release format.

5. The programme not being financially viable for the university.

6. GCU do not have the correct core skill set for running the course, and do not have the department expertise in casting as part of the permanent staffing.

The above requirements do not align with the preferred delivery model for the British Casting Certificate (BCC) and would move the BOA and the BCC away from the core values and development goals around the expansion of education.

Whilst this news will be disappointing to many, I want to clarify some key aspects moving forward, post June 2023. Looking positively, this gives us an opportunity to review where the qualification is presently, and how we can best position it for the future of the BCC.

1. The Validated British Casting Certificate (BCC) courses run out of Stanmore, Newport & Bradford will continue as they do today.

2. The BCC examination process will continue as it does today, and successful students will be awarded the British Casting Certificate (BCC) but will not gain the 60 academic credits.

3. The BOA and Casting Sub Committee will start a process to review future collaboration with an alternative University/College and will explore either a further accreditation route or a credit rating route for the qualification.

The BOA and the BOA Casting Sub Committee would like to thank Glasgow Caledonian University for all the support to both the courses and all student cohorts over the past 7 years.

As the BOA and BOA Casting Sub Committee move forward with finding a new partner, we will keep you updated on the progress.

Kindest Regards

Mark Rees BA (Hons) PCE, RODP, BCC
On behalf of the BOA Casting Sub Committee

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