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Last Updated on 09/09/2026 by Sarah Sarsby
A new independent analysis has set out the economic case for increasing investment in prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) services across the UK.
Commissioned by the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) and produced by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), ‘The Investment Case for Prosthetics and Orthotics in the UK’ examines the potential impact of expanding P&O provision on patients, the NHS, social care, and the wider economy.
The report estimates that there were 953 practising prosthetists and orthotists in the UK in 2025. Using the midpoint of World Health Organization guidance of 15-20 P&O professionals per million people in high-income countries, Cebr estimates that an additional 263 professionals would have been required to meet the benchmark.
Based on this workforce shortfall, Cebr estimates that approximately 193,000 people were not receiving adequate P&O care in 2025. This is a modelled estimate of the number who could be treated if the workforce gap were addressed, rather than waiting list data.
The report estimates that providing P&O treatment to the additional 193,000 patients would have required an investment of £98.3 million in 2025. By helping to prevent complications, reduce the need for some hospital treatment and surgery, and support greater independence and quality of life with less reliance on social care, this investment could have generated approximately £224.3 million in gross health and social care savings, producing a net saving of £125.9 million.
For every £1 invested in P&O, the analysis estimates an additional £1.28 in net health and social care savings, reflecting reductions in subsequent healthcare and social care costs. When productivity improvements resulting from better health are included, the estimated return increases to £1.88 in net benefit for every £1 invested, as improved health can also support greater participation in work and increased economic output.
The report estimates that improved health could contribute £58.8 million to UK economic output and generate a £14.6 million tax uplift by enabling patients to work more hours and take less sickness absence.
The economic case is also significant when prosthetic provision is considered separately. The report estimates that recruiting an additional 76 prosthetists could enable around 7,000 more people to access prosthetic services. While prosthetic provision represents 44.5 percent of the estimated cost of closing the P&O treatment gap, it accounts for around 47 percent of the resulting net health and social care savings, largely through reduced healthcare and social care requirements as patients gain greater mobility and independence.
Looking ahead, Cebr estimates that without further investment the number of people not receiving adequate P&O care could rise from approximately 193,000 in 2025 to 238,000 by 2035, primarily as a result of population growth.
By 2035, failing to expand provision could mean foregoing around £1.4 billion in net NHS and social care savings through missed opportunities to prevent complications and reduce demand for care. Cebr also estimates £631 million in potential GDP contributions could be lost through unrealised productivity benefits.
The report also points to challenges in how P&O is represented in wider NHS planning. Drawing on recent BAPO Freedom of Information data, it notes that, among applicable trusts and health boards, 54 percent did not include prosthetics and 58 percent did not include orthotics in mainstream workforce planning.
Cebr also identifies significant gaps in national P&O data, including information on workforce capacity, patient need, activity, outcomes, and costs. It calls for improved profession-specific data reporting and greater integration of P&O into wider NHS governance processes.
BHTA was one of the organisations that contributed to the data-collection exercise supporting the analysis.
For the prosthetics and orthotics sector, the report provides new economic evidence for expanding P&O capacity to improve patient access and outcomes, while supporting a more preventative and sustainable health and care system.
