What you need to know about being an AHP

Who are Allied Health Professionals?

Allied Health Professions (AHPs) are the third largest workforce in the NHS. They are mainly degree level professions and are professionally independent with their practice and decision making. 13 of the 14 AHPs are regulated by the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) with Osteopaths regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOC).

What is the role of an AHP?

AHPs play a critical role in healthcare by providing essential services that support patient care. Find out more about all the AHP roles : https://www.capitalnurselondon.co.uk/ahp-roles/

What do we do?

AHPs help people live their lives as fully as possible by treating, rehabilitating, and improving the lives of patients. As an AHP you can help manage patients care throughout the course of life from birth to end of life.

Why are we experts?

As an AHP you will be able to help patients in ways that few other healthcare professionals can, whether that’s by helping someone learn to walk again or helping a child with a disability with daily activities.

As an AHP you will work alongside multi-disciplinary teams including, doctors, nurses and other health care professionals in a range of surroundings including hospitals and patients’ homes, clinics and schools to achieve patient goals both mentally and physically.

Training and education.

As an AHP in the NHS you can expect to receive world class training, develop skills leading to career progression as well as opportunities to apply for more diverse roles.

Career Progression

You can work in a range of settings and progress your career. You will need some initial experience in a more general role, but in time you may be able to specialise in a clinical area of interest. For example, an Occupational Therapist can specialise in hand therapy. At all times to maintain your HCPC registration and maintain standards of professional training you will need to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) which will be supported by your place of work

Being an AHP is a rewarding role, working multi professionally to improve patient care as well as having many opportunities for self-development. AHPs work with all age groups and within all specialities.

As an AHP you have the authority to make decisions and the freedom to act within your profession specific standards and knowledge.

As a Capital AHP you will be supported to develop the right skills and take on new roles which supports retaining a world class workforce.

Helpful resources:

Rashmi Soni

AHP IR Lead – Capital AHP

I am a proactive and experienced AHP with more than thirty years clinical, education and management expertise gained by working collaboratively with key stakeholders to manage and deliver strategic and operational services in acute, paediatric and community settings. My primary interest lies in supporting and developing student education as well as the AHP workforce. Through chairing the London Dietetic Stakeholder strategic group and links with higher education institute, I influence improvements in both undergraduate and post graduate education. I currently lead the AHP international recruitment as part of the Capital AHP programme that aims to grow and sustainably retain the AHP workforce across London hoping to ‘get healthcare right for London’.