As part of the Allied Health Professionals Federation (AHPF), the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), along with Public Heath England (PHE) has launched the AHP Strategic Framework.
The new framework sets out the vision for the roles of Allied Health Professions in public health over the next five years and how they will achieve that vision. It builds on previous strategies, to provide a united approach to public health for the Allied Health Professions across all four nations.
The key goals of the new strategy are:
- developing the AHP workforce
- demonstrating impact
- increasing the profile of the AHP public health role
- strategic connections and leadership, and
- health and wellbeing of the workforce.
For the first time, an AHP public health strategy covers the whole UK. It was written with input from the fifteen professions represented by one or more of the AHP Chief AHP Officers across the UK and in collaboration with partners across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The primary audiences are; AHPs working across health and care sectors, leaders of the organisations they work for, and commissioners and educators of AHP services.
Julia Scott, CEO, Royal College of Occupational Therapists said:
"Improving public health is a recurring thread through policy in all four nations and AHPs have been leading the way for sometime with prevention initiatives and tackling social inequalities impacting on health. So for the first time, the publication of this framework, firmly places the role of AHPs at the forefront of public health. It sets out a confident future vision to utilise the AHP workforce effectively, positively impacting on the health of the population."
The new strategic framework is available on the Allied Health Professions Federation website.
AHPs are the third largest sector in the NHS. There are over 150,000 AHPs working within a range of surroundings including hospitals, people's homes, clinics, surgeries, the justice system, local authorities, private and voluntary sectors and primary, secondary and tertiary education.
AHPs focus on consistent, person-centred, preventative and therapeutic care for children and adults. They are accredited and trustworthy professionals performing a crucial function in the NHS and social care. The breadth and depth of AHP skills and reach make them ideally placed to lead and support transformative changes.