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Allied Health Professions

Allied Health Professions (AHPs) are a diverse group of practitioners who deliver high quality care to patients by carrying out assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge, across a range of settings in the NHS, Local Authorities, independent and voluntary sectors, breaking down organisational boundaries. 

Their aim is to further improve services provided by AHPs to achieve better outcomes for patients after illness and injury. They are well-placed to innovate and develop new models of care, for example, integration across health and social care. 

AHPs are the third largest group of practitioners who, in the main, are first contact practitioners. In the NHS alone they account for 1 in 10 staff. AHPs carry their own caseloads and work as autonomous professionals, for example, working directly with patients to develop interactive therapies to aid recovery. 

But AHPs will also be part of a team and may even lead one. This might mean working with other AHPs or professionals such as GPs, hospital doctors, teachers, or social workers. AHPs see patients and clients in different surroundings and they work in hospitals, clinics, housing services, people's homes, schools and colleges, to name but a few.

AHPs are:

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AHPs are key to inspiring individuals to take a preventative approach to long term health.

Allied Health Professions Federation

The provides collective leadership and representation on common issues that impact on its member professions. The AHPF is well placed to ensure that health, social care and education decision makers understand the unique contribution of the allied health professions. 

The overall purpose of the AHPF is to promote inter-professional working enabling Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) to provide high quality care for patients and their carers across the whole of the health and social care sectors. 

The AHPF is a UK wider organisation and has management boards in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The AHPF Boards work to a shared agenda with delivery activity tailored to the unique context offered by each country. 

The AHPF is currently focusing on the following themes: 

  • AHPs, both as specialist clinicians and clinical leaders, are key to the delivery of a high quality patient-centred service delivered at the right investment level to enable it to be sustainable;
  • AHPs are key to delivering a care service along complete care pathways;
  • Empowered AHPs can lead change and service transformation. 
  • Care pathways cross boundaries and are not just about traditional health services but may include other social care environments such as education, justice and local government. AHPs working across these boundaries are in a position to deliver optimum productivity gains;

Useful links for further information about AHPs

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