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New university courses launched to help allied health professionals return to practice
2 August 2022
Two new, free and flexible courses have been launched to help allied health professionals who wish to return to practice.
The courses, funded by HEE, offer online learning at the student’s own pace with academic support as and when needed.
They are being administered by Birmingham City and Coventry universities and funding is available for AHPs living in, or intending to work in England.
Paul Chapman, AHP Programme Manager for Health Education England, said: “Our aim is to give allied health professionals who’ve taken a break from practice the most flexible and supportive route possible back to work. The courses have been designed specifically to help meet the demands of busy lifestyles.
“They allow AHPs whose registration with the Health and Care Professions Council has lapsed after a break in practice of two years or more to come back feeling ready, proficient and confident.”
The short, distance-learning courses are aimed at AHPs including art, drama and music therapists; chiropodists and podiatrists; occupational therapists; dietitians; orthoptists; paramedics; physiotherapists; operating department practitioners; prosthetists and orthotists; diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers; and speech language therapists.
It is hoped the initiative can be extended to support other professions including biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, hearing aid dispensers and practicing psychologists.
Funding of up to £800 is also available to help students with out-of-pocket expenses. More information is available here:- https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/allied-health-professions/return-practice-allied-health-professionals-healthcare-scientists-practising-psychologists/supporting-your-study
Mary Burton, Course Director for AHP Return to Practice at Coventry University, added: “By engaging with the course, which is completely funded by HEE, students will be able to re-register and will also be offered support on how to apply for jobs. At no personal cost to them except for their time, they will hopefully be helped back into employment.
“Participants can work at their own pace and completely online. They can access the course whenever they want with no requirement to meet at specific times, but we’re always there to support them during working hours.”
For more information about the two courses and advice on applying, please see here:-