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NHS Improvement - Celebrating the impact allied health professionals are having on health, care and well-being
Allied health professionals (AHPs) came together at the annual Chief Allied Health Professions Officer's Conference (CAHPO) to celebrate the launch of 'AHPs into Action' which demonstrates the transformative potential of AHPs in the health & care system.
The day saw AHPs from all sectors of health, social and the wider care system talking about the role they will play as the refreshed ‘Five Year Forward View’ is implemented and how their roles will be vital to transforming services for patients.
Main stage speakers included the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer herself, Suzanne Rastrick, who gave an overview of the past years achievements and said how proud she was of the AHP professions and the work they do.
Celebrating innovation
The event also saw the announcement of the winners of the CAHPO awards 2017.
Winner of the NHS Improvement sponsored 'CAHPO Practice Innovator' award went to Dr Nick Woznitza, a diagnostic radiographer, who holds a joint role at Homerton University Hospital and Canterbury and Christchurch University.
Dr Woznitza implemented a number of measures at Homerton Hospital to help ensure they were able to meet the increasing demand for imaging, while maximising the skill set of the whole imaging team. Dr Woznitza was also awarded overall winner from the five award categories. His programme:
- saw reporting radiographers provide clinical reports for 75% of all skeletal X-rays at Homerton University Hospital and 95% of emergency department referrals
- helped the department meet the 95% A&E target
Other finalists of the CAHPO Practice Innovator awards included:
- Frail Elderley Pathway Team at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust: an AHP-led the frail elderly service working in acute care and the emergency department reducing admission and length of hospital stay for frail elderly people
- Annie Thornton, Physiotherapist and Major Trauma Practitioner at North Bristol NHS Trust: supporting, educating and empowering patients and their families to manage the transition following a major trauma from hospital to home
Transforming services
The varied roles played by AHPs means they are some of the best placed staff within the NHS to help continue the transformation of services to improve outcomes for patients.
I hope yesterday’s event inspired all AHP's to return to their organisation invigorated with new ideas to continue the changes and improvements to their services.
Ruth May, Executive Director of Nursing at NHS Improvement
'Big impact' on patient care
The conference and awards highlight the unique role AHPs have to play within the health, care and wider sector and the big impact they can have on patient care, and the health and well-being of the people in our communities
All of the award winners, nominees and finalists have shown a true commitment to improving their services for patients and they should be exceptionally proud of what they have achieved.
Dr Nick Woznitza, winner of the practice innovator award and overall winner, has shown how maximising and extending the skills of AHP’s can ensure that patients continue to receive timely diagnosis and treatment.
Congratulations Dr Woznitza, all finalists and those shortlisted.
