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in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, North East Essex News, West Suffolk News
Allied Health Professions (AHPs) Day is an annual celebration that shines a light on the 14 allied health professions. This year, AHPs Day will be marked on Saturday 14 October.
From podiatrists to paramedics, there are over 2,500 allied health professionals practising in Suffolk and north east Essex.
We hope that every one of them takes a few minutes this Saturday to reflect on the true impact of their work and recognise how valued they are by their colleagues and patients.
Here are a few words of gratitude from health and care leaders in Suffolk and north east Essex.
“I am extremely proud of the work that our Allied Health Professions (AHPs) do on a daily basis. They make up the third largest healthcare workforce in the NHS and include roles such as dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The positions are as varied as the work they do and play a vital role in supporting the NHS Long Term Plan.
“AHPs Day is an important milestone as it allows our colleagues across Suffolk and north east Essex to celebrate the work they do and show other professionals the valuable contribution they make to patient care. It also provides a showcase for those considering a career as an AHP.”
– Ed Garratt, Chief Executive NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB
“One of the best advanced practitioners, in a world dominated by nurses, was an occupational therapist. She believed in her patients so passionately that she had self-funded advanced clinical skills training to be able to apply for the position. She was a red-hot advocate for the needs of her Parkinson’s patients, and she taught me a lot about clinical practice.
“AHPs are hidden in plain sight. Hospitals and community teams are dependent on them, and patients spend more therapeutic time with them than any other clinical profession. Despite this, they do not occupy prominent leadership roles in our health and care systems, and this is to our disadvantage. If the NHS is to survive the tumultuous times that we find ourselves in, we must make our terrific AHP colleagues visible and powerful and influential.”
– Dr Andrew Kelso, Medical Director, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB
“AHPs are the third largest workforce in the NHS and we are extremely grateful for their immense contribution to the provision of high quality system-wide care. Their strengths lie in the sheer depth and breadth of experience across health and care, and we will continue to drive forward the agenda to create a safe and sustainable AHP workforce, as lifelong career opportunities across SNEE ICS.
“Let’s continue to celebrate the contributions of our wonderful AHP colleagues on AHPs Day this year.“
– Amanda Lyes, Director of Workforce and People, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB
“Throughout my professional career in physiotherapy, I have been lucky enough to work with many fabulous AHPs from across the AHP disciplines.
“Throughout the primary, secondary, community and voluntary care sectors, each AHP I have been lucky enough to work alongside has enriched both patient care and my clinical working environment hugely.
“We each have a unique, specialist set of skills and expertise which enable us to offer our patients fully comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care for a multitude of health issues, including psychological wellbeing.
“As a clinician myself, I really feel that AHPs are excellent at developing close working relationships across multiple professions. We appreciate the importance of connecting, reaching out and utilising other professions’ expertise. We also regularly interact with a wide range of other services both within and outside the health sector to help maximise professional expertise and input, when managing a person’s health and wellbeing. This I think is the golden ‘key’ to a successful, comprehensive, and fully integrated healthcare system.
“Happy AHPs Day one and all!”
– Olivia Allen, Suffolk and North East Essex Training Hub
Allied Health Professionals in Suffolk and North East Essex
Allied Health Professionals in Suffolk and North East Essex
Transcript of Allied Health Professionals in Suffolk and North East Essex video
Who do you think of, when you think about our NHS? Our doctors, and nurses? How about our paramedics? Osteopaths? Operating department practitioners? From Bury St Edmunds to Clacton-on-Sea, there are over 2,500 allied health professionals practicing in Suffolk and north east Essex. Working together to keep us safe and well, through all of life’s twists and turns. Celebrating successes and taking on the toughest of challenges. They’re here for us no matter what. In our hospitals, sure. But also in our homes, our schools, our community groups – wherever we need them to be. Keeping an eye on our physical and mental health. Offering a listening ear. Making sure we have a voice. Helping us to help ourselves, but always being there if we fall. Lifting us up, getting us back on our feet.
And although some have a specific focus. Together, they see the full picture. Looking after us for who we are – people. More than a million of us with different goals, different worries, moving at our own pace. Helping us get the most from life by enjoying the things that are important to us. From learning to say hello, to when it’s time to say goodbye. Think you could be part of the team? With 14 allied health professions to choose from, you could find your place in Suffolk and north east Essex.