Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) recently devoted an entire day to championing a large group of its staff, known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).
Across its hospital sites in Doncaster and Worksop, the Trust employs nine of 14 nationally recognised AHPs – these being orthoptists, podiatrists, dietitians, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners (OPDs), physiotherapists, radiographers, speech and language therapists and orthotists. Encompassing such a broad range of careers, the staff group is absolutely integral to the care provided at DBTH.
To show its appreciation for these specialist colleagues, the organisation has recently celebrated national AHPs Day on Monday 14 October. This is an annual event that enables staff to celebrate being part of the AHP family and to demonstrate their varied work supporting patients, families and local communities.
For its part, DBTH took to Facebook and Twitter for a social media ‘’takeover’’, where they featured snappy video messages, photos of AHPs in action and career spotlights on specific members of the team. It was a great opportunity to learn all about what AHPs do, such as organising rehabilitation groups, supporting patients having operations, helping children with communication difficulties, promoting everyday activities to remain safe at home, and diagnosis of clinical conditions.
The day also served as forum for the AHPs to articulate their own views on what they love about their jobs and why they could not imagine themselves doing anything else.
In addition to the day-long social media coverage, the healthcare provider also hosted a special one-off lecture showcasing how AHPs are now undertaking more advanced roles and are working more closely with multidisciplinary teams in hospitals, communities and GP practises. Knowledgeable speakers explained their experience working with AHPs and talked about how these vital colleagues provide great care for our patients.
Among the attendees for this event was Suzy Brain England OBE, Trust Chair, who said: ‘’It has been wonderful to have an opportunity to celebrate the work of our Allied Healthcare Professionals within the Trust. We are grateful for all they do in our hospitals and in the community. National AHP day is not just a just to say thank you to our colleagues but to promote the many and varied roles and attract trainees and qualified professionals to come and join our team’’.
Cindy Storer, Acting Deputy Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, said: ‘’ The AHP team at DBTH is constantly striving to improve and deliver the highest quality care possible. Having the spotlight for a day is just a lovely way of validating those efforts and letting everyone else know, both in the Trust and the wider public, what an amazing job AHPs do. A big thank you goes to everyone involved in planning for this event, as well all of our colleagues who do a fantastic job, day in and day out for local patients.”
For more information on AHP careers, visit https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals.