Celebrating the NHS's hidden heroes on AHP day

NHS staff across Sussex will be saying a big thank you to an unsung army of health care workers today (October 14), as they celebrate the third annual AHP Day.
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Celebrated on October 14 every year Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day is an opportunity to celebrating the contribution of those in support patient care and the health of those in local communities.

AHPs are often described as the NHS’s hidden army of heroes.

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Made up of 14 different occupations, seven of the AHP professions are found throughout Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust’s (SCFT’s) services. They are chiropodists/podiatrists, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiographers, speech and language therapists and paramedics.

Picture: Charlotte HardingPicture: Charlotte Harding
Picture: Charlotte Harding

They work throughout Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust’s services in Brighton & Hove, West Sussex and High Weald Lewes Havens, to support people to manage their health and wellbeing, prevent illness and live well in their own homes.

Sandra Speller, professional head of therapies at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, said: “People may not realise that Allied Health Professionals are the third largest workforce in the NHS, and the second largest clinical group at our Trust. They play a critical role in supporting people to get well and stay well, working with patients in hospital, in their own homes and also in schools, to help them recover from illness, manage their conditions and improve their health and wellbeing so that they can live full and active lives.

“We appreciate our AHPs every single day of the year, but this year, more than ever before, I want to use AHP Day as an opportunity to celebrate the amazing things our AHPs have done, and continue to do, to support people in our communities across Sussex. It’s been challenging, but they have risen to the occasion and I have never been more proud to be an AHP.”

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Donna Lamb, Chief Nurse, added: “The resilience that our AHPs have shown over the last six months has been amazing to see. Their skill and expertise in providing person-centred, goal-focused care to encourage independence has made such a difference to patients and their families. They should all be so proud of what they have achieved.

“Sadly many of our planned AHP Day celebrations have had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, but I hope that everyone still manages to enjoy some socially-distanced mini celebrations to mark their achievements.”

This year is a significant one for AHPs, as a number of professions mark milestone anniversaries, including 75 years of speech and language therapy in the UK and the 100 year anniversary of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy being granted royal chartered status.

If you’re interested in a career in AHP, visit www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals for more information.

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If you’re an AHP looking for a new challenge visit www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ to see the current opportunities with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

You can find out more about Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and the services it provides at www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk

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