The team, working together as the Lincolnshire AHP (Allied Health Professional) Strategic Forum, were finalists in the Workforce Transformation Leader category of the recent Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) Awards 2017.
Their nomination highlighted a number of achievements which are supporting the development of AHP roles within health and social care in Lincolnshire.
The team represents allied health professions including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, orthoptics, dietetics, diagnostic radiography, therapeutic radiography and podiatry across the three local NHS trusts, Lincolnshire County Council, Health Education England and higher education institutions.
Among the work celebrated by the nomination is the development of MSc post-registration programmes with the University of Lincoln, leadership of the degree apprenticeship trailblazer for physiotherapy and occupational therapy and promotion of Lincolnshire as a great place to work and live.
The group has also led return to practice opportunities for individuals who would like to come back to their profession and renew their registration after a period of absence.
Angela Shimada, an advanced practitioner in speech and language therapy for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and chairman of the forum, said: “We are very proud to have had our nomination commended on a national platform.
“Within Lincolnshire, AHPs are working together to not only celebrate the wealth of expert skills and knowledge already available, but to ensure we can provide the best possible development opportunities for our future workforce and excellent services for the county.”
The collective were presented with their certificate at last week’s (13 July) countywide networking AHP conference, which took place at the New Life Centre in Sleaford.
Anita Cooper, Clinical Lead for Therapies and Rehabilitation Medicine at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We want to make sure all the AHPs in Lincolnshire are represented and have a voice, and being shortlisted like this is a fantastic achievement.
“Our aim is to carry on our positive work to become the ‘go to’ group for AHPs across the county – making sure that we continue to support and retain our staff, attract new professionals and make a positive difference to the patients we ultimately serve.”
Jane Tuxworth, Occupational Therapist and AHP Lead at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust added that this national recognition for local professionals can only further aid the promotion of the vital role they all play in the modern day health and care system.
“AHPs are the third largest workforce in the NHS after doctors and nurses and we were highly delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious national award. It will definitely help us to showcase the joint work we do in Lincolnshire to improve our healthcare system.”