Allied Health Professions (AHP) day
As the third-largest clinical workforce within the health and care, allied health professions (AHPs) play a pivotal role in supporting the NHS Long Term Plan. AHPs day is an annual occasion for AHPs in England and now internationally to unite and revel in their contribution. This day offers a platform to spotlight the remarkable impact AHPs have on the delivery of care. The collaborations across services, organisations, regions, and nations allow us to achieve:
- Reinforced awareness about the vital roles of each of the individual AHPs.
- Highlighting local service achievements and their profound influence on patient care and public health.
- Collaborative efforts with other services and organisations for integrated working.
- A showcase for those considering a career as an allied health professional.
Colleagues across Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust have this week been celebrating National Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day ahead of the 14th October. This is a day to say a huge thank you and celebrate all the amazing work our AHP’s do across the Trust to provide Safe, Personal and Effective Care to our patients.
As part of the celebrations Our Chief Operating Officer Gary Price congratulates our AHP’s here
We spoke to Vera Cabral – Head of Allied Health Professionals, Clinical Support Services at the Trust who had this to say.
Image: Vera Cabral – Head of Allied Health Professionals, Clinical Support Services
Saturday 14th October 2023 marks Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) Day, and I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the outstanding work that our AHP’s do. Your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to healthcare play an invaluable role in enhancing the lives of countless individuals.
AHPs work tirelessly behind the scenes to provide essential care and support. As we observe AHPs Day, let us not only acknowledge the incredible contributions of AHPs but also celebrate the diversity of talents, knowledge, and experiences that each of you brings to the healthcare field. Your collective efforts enrich the lives of patients and their families, making a tangible difference in their journey towards health and well-being.
Thank you for being a cornerstone of our healthcare community. You are the backbone of patient-centered care, and your efforts do not go unnoticed”.
Who are the Allied Health Professions?
There are 14 unique and different Allied Health Professions and in the Liverpool Women's we have six of these professional groups.
- Dietitians
- Occupational Therapists
- Operating Department Practitioners
- Physiotherapists
- Pharmacists
- Radiographers
Each of these professional groups are highly trained to have a specific skill set and knowledge base that we need in healthcare and they each make their own distinct contribution.
For example:
- Without Radiographers we would not have the skills and knowledge to take effective images of patients that help diagnose medical problems.
- Our Physiotherapists assist our patients with pelvic health.
- Operating Department Practitioners are specifically trained to take care of patients at all stages of the surgical pathway from anaesthetics to surgery and through recovery
Whilst these professional groups of staff are smaller in number than the larger medical and nursing workforces, collectively as AHPs they are the third largest staff group in the NHS. They are critical to the delivery of many clinical pathways with significant opportunities to support delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Why do we Celebrate AHPs Day?
AHPs’ Day is an annual opportunity for AHPs to come together and celebrate being part of the AHP family. The day also gives an opportunity to showcase to others the impact they make to the delivery of high-quality care and enable:
- Improved awareness of the role of the fourteen allied health professions
- Showcasing the achievements of local services and their impact on patient care and population health
- Integrated working with other services and organisations
It’s a special day for our AHP’s but also for their amazing support workers and administrative colleagues across the Liverpool Women’s, who have played a significant role in the past year.