More than 90 allied health professionals (AHPs), staff and final year students took part in an AHP strategic event on 2 December, hosted by the department of Allied Health Professions at the University of the West of England (UWE).
Attendees and speakers discussed the increasing demands on the health service and explored new ways to deliver healthcare. As new initiatives emerge, it is apparent that there are many opportunities for AHPs to be at the forefront of delivering new models of care, by developing and expanding their roles.
Presentations were made by three influential speakers – Suzanne Rastrick, chief allied health professions officer for NHS England; Ben Roe, deputy chief operating officer at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton and Dr Jane Melton, director of engagement and integration, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and honorary professor, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
“We were extremely fortunate to welcome three eminent external speakers to the event to share innovative solutions for AHPs to deliver future models of healthcare, and discuss any lessons there may be for us to deal effectively with the changing landscape in which we’re operating,” said Dr Vivien Gibbs, head of department for allied health professions.
Attendees not only had the opportunity to listen to the speakers, but also shared their views with those who have the ability to change local and national policy.
Dr Marc Griffiths, associate dean for the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, explained the importance of the event: ‘The evolving delivery of care of patients in acute, primary and community sectors is creating new opportunities for allied health professionals, placing their roles at the centre of a patients’ journey.
“This AHP strategic event brought together colleagues to promote best practice across interdisciplinary working.”
Janice St John-Matthews added: “The speakers were able to tour teaching sessions for a number of AHP programmes. This enabled them to meet both year one radiotherapy and oncology and diagnostic imaging learners during an anatomy lecture in the VERT suite.
“It was a good opportunity for the invited speakers to meet the next generation of AHPs currently training at UWE, Glenside.”