Ahead of next Monday’s National Allied Health Professions’ (AHPs’) Day, our Trust held its second annual AHP Community of Practice Forum on Tuesday (8 October) at Dowty Sports and Social Club in Down Hatherley, Gloucester.
Hosted by Chief Allied Health Professional Sarah Birmingham, the event was well attended by Allied Health Professionals, Health and Exercise Practitioners and AHP Support Workers working across the Trust in clinical, leadership, educational and management roles.
Attendees enjoyed talks and presentations by a number of speakers, including our Trust’s Chief Executive Douglas Blair, and Director of Therapies and Quality, Nicola Hazle.
Topics on the agenda included ‘Children and Young People’s Integration Initiatives’, presented by Katy Thomas, Deputy Service Director, CYPS Therapy Services, SEND and Specialist Nursing Services; Katie Nixon, Head of Service for CYPS Occupational Therapy and Home Safety; Hannah Darby, Head of Service for CYPS Speech and Language Therapy and Home Safety; Stacey Rees, Head of CYPS Physiotherapy, PPS and Community Respiratory services and CYPS Physical Health Governance Lead.
Head of Research, Mark Walker, gave a really interesting presentation on the subject of ‘AHP Research’.
The stars of the morning had to be Expert by Experience Martha Hall and her assistance dog, Greg. Martha talked about ‘Integrated Care in Action’; bravely sharing her experiences of growing up with cerebral palsy, the effects the condition had on her mental health, Section 117 aftercare and her experiences of integrated care support – asserting health and social care professionals involved in providing integrated care should ‘Be More Greg’.
About the AHP Community of Practice
The AHP Community of Practice is a space where AHPs and AHP Support Workers can connect, share updates and communications, and take time to showcase good practice and celebrate their achievements and successes.
The Community of Practice is open to all AHPs, Health and Exercise Practitioners and AHP Support Workers working in the Trust in clinical, leadership, educational and management roles.
