Community Therapy Services (West) Clinical Lead Rachel Pickers and occupational therapists Martha Cranidge and Sarah Brook spent some of their coffee break exploring the statements of what their colleagues are proud of.
Some 120 AHPs came together to Kassam Stadium to connect and inspire each other, hear about the truly brilliant work being done at the Trust, celebrate achievements and witness the launch of the BEE awards with 120 bee cupcakes. All attendees were invited to write on a post-it note what they are proud of, and the boards on the back wall of soon filled with most amazing statements that demonstrated what a difference AHPs make to people every day.
The event was hosted by Sam Rigg, Interim AHP Lead Community Services and Emma Croft, Interim AHP Lead Mental Health & Learning Disabilities.
In the picture above from left: Helen Shields (Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist at the Whiteleaf Centre), Emma Croft, Sam Rigg and Tom Ayre (physiotherapist.)
City Team Leader Podiatrist Dharati Patel and apprentice podiatrist Ella Shurrock were enjoying their AHP day.
Participants heard addresses from Chief Nurse & AHP Executive Lead Marie Crofts and CEO Dr Nick Broughton.
A number of AHPs had been invited to share case studies of their work, and the event heard from:
- Rachel Bailey (Speech & Language Therapist & Operational Lead Buckinghamshire CAMHS Neuro Developmental Pathway)
- Emma Tucker (Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist & Post COVID Rehabilitation Coordinator)
- Lara Freeman, (AHP Clinical Lead Adult and Older Adults Mental Health & Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy)
- Lizzie King (AHP Clinical Lead Adult Speech Therapy)
- Sally Burne (Dietitian)
- Jo Mercer (Physiotherapist) & Tori Broom (Occupational Therapist.)
The case studies they presented truly brought to life the life-changing, person-centred care our AHPs provide.
Focus on AHP strategy
Click on the chart to view the full strategy.
The celebrations were balanced with some serious work, too. Emma Croft introduced the Allied Health Professions Strategy for England 2022 to 2027. Subtitled AHPs Deliver, the strategy has been co-created with people and communities, the AHP community and other health professionals, and has five areas of focus:
- People first
- Optimising care
- Social justice: Addressing health and care inequalities
- Environmental sustainability: Greener AHPs
- Strengthening & Promoting Allied Health Professions community
In the afternoon the delegates got together in workshops to consider different aspects of the strategy.
Emma Croft said:
“It was such a positive day and wonderful to come together and connect as a group of AHPs across the trust. I found the staff and patient stories were inspirational and showcased the breadth of services AHPs are delivering. A common theme throughout was how staff personalised the services they provided to meet the needs of the clients. I really felt the contribution of AHPs was celebrated and valued today, and I am looking forward to continuing to make waves together.”
Published: 20 October 2022