Allied health professionals (AHPs) have a central role in the services we provide.
Spanning a wide range of specialities, AHPs deliver support and care to assess, diagnose and discharge patients in teams across the Trust.
They’re highly specialised and trained to work in different settings, from the community and patients’ homes to secure mental health hospitals. They play a central role in improving health and wellbeing, helping people to live full, active and independent lives, whatever their age or situation.
Hear from Helen Lycett, Associate Director for Allied Health Professions.
Most AHP professions are degree-qualified and able to practice independently. The majority are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
The range of AHPs working across the Trust (including Ealing Community Partners) includes:
The transition from student to clinician can be daunting, the first year is an important milestone for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). There is a dedicated AHP preceptorship programme which provides support, including monthly meetings from a London-wide programme delivered by Oxleas Foundation Trust as well as teaching and support sessions provided by our Trust.
At the end of your 12 months you’re expected to present your CPD portfolio, which outlines your learning and growth. Maintaining a CPD portfolio is a requirement for the continuation of your professional registration, preceptorship aims to support you develop the skills to maintain your portfolio in line with HCPC guidance.
The programme consists of the following:
- A named preceptor who is your main support throughout this programme
- One to one sessions with AHP Preceptorship to support development of your portfolio
- Peer support sessions with other preceptees
- Training sessions
- Group reflective sessions with senior staff and others
- Time to complete CPD projects in line with your objectives as agreed with your manager.
The three distinct disciplines of art, drama and music therapies use the arts as forms of psychotherapy, psychological therapy, and to encourage and improve communication. Therapists can help people of all ages with a wide range of needs, including emotional, behavioural or mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities or neurological conditions. Service users don’t need to have any experience in art, music or drama to benefit from the therapies, which can take place in different settings.
Podiatrists provide assessment, evaluation and foot care for patients with long term and acute conditions. Many of these patients are in high risk categories, such as those with diabetes for whom podiatric care is critical.
Dietitians are qualified health professionals who assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutritional problems at an individual level – and also advise on wider public health issues in relation to diet and nutrition. Dietitians translate the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease into practical guidance to support people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages with a range of problems resulting from physical, mental, social or developmental difficulties. OTs provide support to enable people to return to or improve their ability to carry out everyday tasks, such as caring for themselves and others, working, learning, playing and interacting with others.
Paramedics are the senior ambulance service healthcare professionals at an accident or a medical emergency. Often working by themselves, they’re responsible for assessing a patient’s condition and giving essential treatment, including defibrillators, spinal and traction splints and intravenous drips. They also administer oxygen and drugs.
Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They work in a range of settings, maintaining health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.
Speech and language therapists work with children and adults to help them overcome or adapt to disorders of speech, language, communication and swallowing. This includes helping young children to access education, reducing life-threatening swallowing problems in the early days after stroke and providing essential support to adults with a range of acquired neurological communication difficulties.
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