HEE boosts help and career recognition for AHP support workforce

Health Education England is striving to improve training and career opportunities for staff who support the allied health professions (AHPs), which include paramedics, radiographers, dietitians and many others.

AHP support workers play an integral role in helping to deliver safe and effective care to health service users in a range of acute and community settings.

However, feedback from staff across the country has revealed variations in their education and training, and how they are deployed.

HEE’S national allied health professions (AHP) support workforce programme has been established to provide leadership and help in recognising, developing, and expanding the non-registered AHP workforce.

Naomi McVey, HEE’s National Lead for AHP Support Workforce, said: “We need to make sure that  our AHP support workforce have the right knowledge and skills, are supported by training and education, and have access to great opportunities for career progression.

“This will ensure that patients, service users and their families and carers have access to the best possible skills and most effective care.”

Suraiya Hassan, AHP Workforce Lead for HEE’s National AHP Support Workforce Programme, added: “We’re working collaboratively with employers, NHS England, royal colleges, professional bodies, trades unions and stakeholders to achieve our programme aims.

“Support workers, senior support workers, assistants and assistant practitioners play an absolutely vital and very much appreciated role in our AHP teams.”

You can find out more about the support workforce programme and its framework in this short animation here:-   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENGv-MdzMYY&t=75s