In Mersey Care our AHP’s work within wider multi-disciplinary teams or within therapy services across Mersey Care. 

We have the following AHP Professions:

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that combines the arts and verbal communication. Art therapists develop strong and effective therapeutic relationships with individuals, using a variety of art materials, for example, painting, drawing, pastel, collage, or 3D work.

The role of the art therapist is to work alongside people, using a person-centred approach and having a focus on the created image or artwork within the therapy session.

It is psychologically based and is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council and, is supported by The British Association of Art Therapists.

This type of therapy can be very effective when it may be difficult to find words for confusing feelings or distressing experiences. This type of therapy is also extremely effective with individuals who find it hard to connect with their emotions and often find themselves withdrawing in more cognitive base therapies.

The art image acts as a form of communication and expression in the art space. The art therapist does not interpret the image but rather works with the image and the individual to encourage expression and create opportunities to develop understanding around what may be going on for the individual/group members.

An art therapist can work with people of all ages from children, young people, adults, or the elderly. Art therapy can help people who may be struggling with emotional or behavioural difficulties, complex trauma, ill mental or physical health and learning difficulties.

Art therapy does not focus on developing artistic ability, however working with the art materials can be an enjoyable experience which is often described by clients as relaxing and therapeutic.

Art therapy can be delivered on a 1:1 or group basis and alongside other modalities such as EMDR, CBT, MBT or Dramatherapy. For individuals interested in art therapy, they do not need to have any expertise or experience with art making, but they do need to be interested in art making, and have an ability to allow themselves to engage in the image making process.

Registered dietitians assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level. They work within all areas of the NHS (primary, secondary and tertiary care) as well as within public health, local government, care settings, research, industry and private practice. Dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices. They work with a wide range of patients in every age group, helping to treat, manage and support recovery from complex and varied conditions which includes diabetes , allergies, cancer and mental health.

Please click this link for further details about the different dietetic profiles.

Meet Apprentice Dietitian - Lucy Potter

Meet Dietitian - Penny Scruton

Further information to be developed.

Occupational therapy (OT) helps people live their best life at home, at work – and everywhere else. They support people to do the things they want and have to do. That could mean helping people overcome challenges learning at school, going to work, playing sport or simply doing the dishes. Everything is focused on increasing independence and wellbeing.

It’s also a science-based, health and social care profession that’s regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council.

An occupational therapist helps people of all ages overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities – what we call ‘occupations’.

Occupational therapists see beyond diagnoses and limitations to hopes and aspirations. They look at relationships between the activities people do every day – your occupations – alongside the challenges people face and their environment.

Then, they create a plan of adjustments targeted at achieving a specific set of activities. The plan is practical, realistic and personal to petients as an individual, to help them achieve the breakthroughs they need to elevate their everyday life.

This support can give people a renewed sense of purpose. It can also open up new opportunities and change the way people feel about the future.

Occupational therapists work with adults and children of all ages who have a wide range of conditions.

Most commonly, they help those living with mental health illnesses, or physical or learning disabilities. 

Meet Occupational Therapy Apprentice - Agnieszka Wilding

Meet Occupational Therapist - Ffion Redmond

Meet Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner - Amanda Whitehall

Orthotists are autonomous registered practitioners who provide gait analysis and engineering solutions. Orthotists practice in acute and community settings. They are extensively trained at undergraduate level in mechanics, bio-mechanics, material science, anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. They are qualified to modify prosthetic and orthotic componentry, taking responsibility for the impact of any changes.

Orthotists treat patients with problems of the neuro, muscular and skeletal systems resulting from conditions such as: diabetes, arthritis, cerebral palsy, stroke, spina bifida, scoliosis, MSK, sports injuries and trauma. They design and provide orthoses; externally applied devices that modify the structural or functional characteristics of the patients’ neuro-muscular and skeletal systems enabling patients to mobilise, eliminate gait deviations, reduce falls, reduce pain, prevent and facilitate healing of ulcers. They often form part of multidisciplinary teams such as the diabetic foot team or neuro-rehabilitation team.

Paramedics are registered healthcare professionals who have a unique role crossing a variety of areas within healthcare. They are most well known for providing emergency care in the community, working autonomously across a variety of different settings, and more recently working within other areas of healthcare such as GP practices, hospital emergency departments, urgent care centres, walk in centres, police custody suites and prisons.

Paramedics often work closely with Mental Health Crisis Teams, GPs, Nurses and Pharmacists to manage people closer to home in the community and relieve pressures from hospitals. Whilst paramedics in primary and urgent care settings perform advanced clinical assessments for patients in order to diagnose illness and injury and plan ongoing care or referral.

Paramedics are educated and trained to make decisions in complex and high-pressure situations, often in unpredictable environments. They also carry skills in history taking, patient examination, with patient care ranging from new-borns to end of life care.

Some paramedics are highly specialized, they may be highly trained in pre-hospital resuscitation and/or trauma. Their ability to work within complex environments means they may work even in remote and offshore sectors.

Physiotherapy is a vital healthcare profession dedicated to enhancing individuals' physical / mental well-being and function.

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists focus on optimizing movement and function, enabling people to lead healthier, more active lives. Whether addressing musculoskeletal issues, recovering from injuries, or managing chronic conditions, physiotherapy aims to enhance an individuals’ overall quality of life.

Key Aspects of Physiotherapy:

Science-Based Profession: Physiotherapy is grounded in scientific principles, utilizing evidence-based practices to provide effective care.

Health and Social Care Regulation: The profession is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council, ensuring high standards of practice and ethics.

Physiotherapists in Action:

Physiotherapists work across a diverse range of conditions and age groups. From assisting individuals with musculoskeletal injuries to supporting those managing chronic illnesses, the focus is on holistic care. Physiotherapists often work as part of a multidisciplinary team in various areas of medicine and settings.

Individualised Care Plans:

Similar to Occupational therapy, Physiotherapists develop personalized plans. These plans consider a person’s unique needs, challenges, and aspirations, aiming to achieve specific physical activities and functional milestones.

Holistic Approach:

Physiotherapists look beyond diagnoses, considering the relationships between daily activities, known as 'occupations,' and their impact on individuals' well-being. This holistic approach guides the creation of tailored intervention strategies and involves the person directly in their own care.

Areas of Focus:

Physiotherapists commonly work with people recovering from physical injuries, dealing with mental health challenges, or managing various learning disabilities. The goal is to restore and improve mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance overall physical function.

Professional Development and Standards:

Physiotherapists adhere to professional standards, conduct, and ethics, ensuring the highest level of patient care. Continuous professional development is supported through frameworks like the Career Development Framework, while innovation and research are integral to advancing the field.

Podiatrists are degree educated clinicians who work collaboratively with their patients, carers, GPs, consultants, other healthcare professionals and AHPs to enable lifestyle changes and support the best health outcomes possible for their patients

Podiatrists work across multiple settings including clinics, patient’s own homes, residential and nursing homes, hospital wards and outpatient clinics and also in Primary Care

Podiatrists are the experts in all aspects of foot and lower limb structure, function and health. They are highly skilled health care professionals trained to diagnose, treat, rehabilitate and prevent disease and complications of the feet, ankles and lower limbs. They can prevent and manage foot problems, relieve pain, treat infection and support foot deformities, to keep people of all ages mobile and active.

Podiatrists play an important role in the multidisciplinary team in diabetic limb salvage. Understanding the function of the  lower limb and being experts in musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and lower limb is  important in the context of the diabetic foot and other long term conditions where lower limb abnormalities often precede ulcer development. Preventive ulcer development strategies employed by a podiatrist include regular monitoring, routine care of calluses, and insole and footwear  recommendations.

Care of the diabetic foot involves effective prevention including regular foot examinations with risk stratification and appropriate education tailored to individual patients,. Podiatrists additionally play an essential role in the monitoring and treatment of active foot ulcerations by providing sharp debridement and offloading of pressure as well as ensuring dressing selection is appropriate for the type of wound present.

Other foot related conditions where Podiatrists provide care include in the treatment of pathological nail conditions including carrying out nail surgery under local anaesthetic  for ingrowing toenails and  in  the  debridement of corns and callus.  The Podiatrist plays an important role in maintaining the mobility of patients and help prevent falls especially related to the elderly and frail.

Meet Apprentice Podiatrist - Alyssia Roach

Meet Podiatrist - Louise Taylor

Meet Podiatry Assistant - Dawn Middlehurst

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) provide life-improving treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking or swallowing. SLTs assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages to help them communicate more effectively. They also assess, treat and develop personalised plans to support people who have eating and swallowing difficulties. Using specialist skills, SLTs work directly with clients and their carers and provide them with tailored support. They also work closely with teachers and other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, other AHPs and psychologists to develop individual treatment programmes.

SLT’s have a key role in supporting the assessment of an individual’s capacity, particularly where a communication impairment is questioned or present; which is required to support complex decision making. They are also likely to be involved in assessment and management of autism spectrum disorders.

SLTs play an important role in public health including screening and early identification of speech (Language and Communication) and swallowing difficulties. For example, they identify children with early language delays and provide targeted support to children with communication difficulties who live in areas of social disadvantage. SLTs also support the rehabilitation and enablement of people with acquired and developmental conditions, such as people with learning disabilities or individuals who have experienced a stroke. SLTs provide care for children and adults in community settings which helps to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and decrease the need for crisis management of conditions such as dysphagia.

SLTs work with people with learning disabilities to support and promote health and well-being within every aspect of the person’s life. For people with learning disabilities functional communication skills within everyday life are the primary focus rather than following a developmental or rehab approach. Speech and language therapists are seen as core professionals working in adult learning disability services.

Meet Speech and Language Therapist - Beth Bell

Contact details and further information

  • Fran Cairns, Deputy Director of Therapies, Psychological and Allied Health Professionals

  • Krystina Stanway, Assistant Director of AHPs

  • Ian McNulty, Head of Allied Health Professionals – Mid Mersey Place, Community Care Division

  • TBC, Head of Allied Health Professionals –  Secure & Specialist Learning Disability Division

  • Jo Barnfield, Head of Allied Health Professionals – Liverpool Place, Community Care Division

  • Judith Gent-Jones, Head of Allied Health Professionals – Sefton Place, Community Care Division

  • TBC, Head of Allied Health Professionals –Mental Health Care Division