Welcome to our Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) page.  The information you will find here is designed to provide lots of information to support you in your role. AHPs are the third largest clinical workforce in the NHS, with significant opportunities to support delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan.  

For the most up to date information on Allied Health Professional Degree Apprenticeships please see the Apprenticeship webpage here

 

We have a robust Preceptorship programme which supports all newly registered or return to practice health professionals (including AHP’s), including Nursing Associates and Internationally Recruited Professionals

The purpose is to support them into the Trust and to ease them through the transition to autonomous professional

Definitions

Preceptee – the person who is taking part in the Programme

Preceptor – the person who supports the Preceptee

Meet the team

Preceptorship Leads 

  • Nichola Thomason (Operational)
  • Lyndsey Ford (Clinical)

Nichola and Lyndsey develop the programme and strategy, deliver the structured sessions and provide pastoral support as identified

Preceptorship Facilitators

  • Mental Health Care Division - Nurses/Nurse Associates– Jacqui Fuller
  • Secure Care Division  - Nurses/Nurse Associates – Emma Wilkinson
  • Community Care Division  - Nurses/Nurse Associates – Adelia Shaw, Phoebe Dickinson, Eleanor McNicholas
  • AHP’s Trust Wide – Jean Clare  jean.clare@merseycare.nhs.uk

The role of the Preceptorship Facilitator is to provide one-to-one support for whatever issues the Preceptee may be having. They also support the completion of the Competency framework which is integral to the Preceptorship Programme

They also promote the use of the (Award winning) phone App which hosts all the information a Preceptee and Preceptor need and can be used to sign off the Competencies.

The attached document is the One Page Profile which provides further detail about the Preceptorship Programme.

If you need any further information or support please do not hesitate to contact jean.clare@merseycare.nhs.uk

The Trust has made a decision to standardise uniforms across the Trust during 2022 whilst we await the outcome of the National Healthcare Uniform. On Wednesday 9th February we held an engagement session where we shared that white smart scrub tops with a coloured trim and navy trousers with the option of a smart scrub dress have been agreed in line with the National consultation as the standard style for Allied Health Professions (AHP’s). The reasons for standardising our uniform are:

  • Enable patients / service users / families / carers to recognise our AHP’s as a priority
  • Staff know who is who in busy ward / hub / clinic environments
  • Provide AHP’s who have been wearing scrubs or a generic uniform throughout the pandemic with a recognised uniform
  • Give AHP’s a professional identity and the option of wearing a uniform the same as other professions
  • Standardise the style of uniform we wear across clinical professions to improve professional image
  • Standardise the colour ways per profession to avoid confusion across Divisions
  • IPC Measures: bare below the elbow and able to wash uniform at 60 degrees

Please take a look at the AHP Uniform Standardisation Presentation to find out more

If you have further feedback or questions please email the generic inbox below with the subject header ‘AHP’ then your Division and Team e.g. ‘AHP Community Dietetics’

uniformstandardisation@merseycare.nhs.uk 

Educator Training

All AHPs

MMU are currently offering free online educator training, please see the details below that can be cascaded to educators (if you require further information please contact Deborah O’Connor – d.oconnor@mmu.ac.uk):

Do you work in a health or social care setting? Do you support learners within your role?

Manchester Metropolitan University are delighted to offer you the opportunity to complete a flexible, online learning package that enables you to explore how you can most effectively support (and assess) learners in health and social care settings/ your workplace.

Funded by GM Workforce Collaborative, this one-day online training course is suitable for all levels of practitioners working within health and social care settings.  The course can be completed flexibly, alongside your other time commitments and is designed to enable you to further develop in your role supporting learners. Resources offered include learner videos, real-life scenarios and self-assessment activities within a workbook. Completing this course will enable you to protect some time to consider key themes around learner development that you can relate to your own workplace setting.

A certificate of completion is available and can be used within your professional development portfolio.

The first 250 places are completely free.

To access the course you will need to go to Birley Place, and login using the following details:

Username: PLATOuser

Password: 17-Roy-Road

The link to this course will be provided in the top right hand corner once you have logged in, as shown:

image001.png

Physiotherapy

MMU

At MMU we have combined our previous face to face new educators day 1 and day 2 training and our experienced educators training day into one online training resource for all our educators. We are also running MS Teams sessions to compliment this training for any educators who feel that they would benefit from attending these.

The online course can be completed independently at times to suit individual clinicians commitments and diary, they will have 6 months to complete it from the time their account is set up. The MS Teams sessions are on set days and times, there is no requirement to attend any of these to complete the training, but we hope that they provide clinicians with additional support, and the feedback we have had from these is that clinicians who have attended have found them to be useful.

There are currently 12 parts to our Educator Training

Part 1            Introduction

Part 2            Effective Learning

Part 3            Teaching Styles

Part 4            Learning Styles

Part 5            Task Analysis

Part 6            Learning Development Plans

Part 7            Placement Preparation and Expectations

Part 8            Supporting and Challenging all Learners

Part 9            Placement Learning and Learning Environments

Part 10          Equality and Diversity

Part 11          Assessment Process

Part 12          Useful Links, Conclusion and Thanks

All the parts are designed so they can be completed within 30-60 minutes and clinicians can complete the training at a rate and times to suit them. Once registered clinicians have access to the resources for 6 months. When they have completed all the parts, in part 12 there is a form for them to complete and submit and from that certificates of completion are created each month.  The certificates are emailed to the clinicians.

Each clinician will take different lengths of time for each section as alongside the information provided there are activities to be completed and we would expect different clinicians to need to take longer to reflect more on some areas.

The MS Teams sessions are for 2 ½ hours each and have a specific focus, once details are confirmed for these, we then notify all the clinicians who have registered for the online educator training of the sessions and they can register if they would like to attend a session.

Register here

Occupational Therapy

University of Liverpool 

Introductory Educator Course

Half Day Refresher Workshop

Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Educator Training  

The next training sessions will be as follows:

For New Practice Educators - Wednesday 6 September 10am to 3pm

For Experienced Practice Educators - Wednesday 13 September 10am to 12.30pm

Both sessions will be held on teams.

To book on to the relevant session please contact Caroline Spivey. Clinical Administrator via Caroline.Spivey@manchester.ac.uk

Cheshire & Merseyside (C&M) AHP Faculty – News Round-up re AHP Placements – Resources, news and more! 

Channel YouTube link

Faculty Newsletter April 2022

Faculty Newsletter July 2022

Faculty Newsletter November 2022

Faculty Newsletter December 2022

Faculty Newsletter January 2023

Faculty Newsletter April 2023

Faculty Newsletter May 2023

January Highlight Report

AHP Placement Resources

As part of the Clinical placement expansion programme 2020, we set out to create a wealth of multiprofessional videos which can be used by educators to supplement clinical placements. With unfaltering support from C&M clinicians, we have now designed and created 10 multiprofessional AHP case studies and 19 uniprofessional videos mainly shot in outpatients with real patients and uploaded these to the Cheshire and Merseyside AHP Faculty catalogue on the HEE Learning Hub. The Hub is free to use for all staff and students who work in health and social care. The Hub can be accessed on Learning Hub - Home. You just need your work email to log in and then search for the Cheshire and Merseyside AHP Faculty catalogue in the search bar.

The videos can also be used for any returnees to practice or for promotion of AHP careers.

AHP Practice Educators Toolkit

This is a Toolkit which is housed in our catalogue on the HEE Learning Hub and has a wealth of information/strategies on how practice educators/clinical tutors can increase both quantity and quality of placements that they offer. Why not check this out? Guidance on how to utilise the Toolkit can be found here Quick Guide - How to access the AHP Practice Educator Toolkit 16/6/21 - YouTube

Catalogue (learninghub.nhs.uk) 

Toolkit champions group

Did you know that we are supporting AHP practice educators to utilise the toolkit to expand and enhance clinical placements? The group is up and running and is welcoming more members – not just from the NHS but other sectors too. Have we whet your appetite? Find out more by emailing CMAHPFaculty@sthk.nhs.uk

Clinical Placement Expansion Programme (CPEP) 

The Faculty has secured Health Education England (HEE) funding to expand clinical placements further especially for Diagnostic Radiography, Dietetics, Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy and non-ambulance Paramedicine placements. If you want to volunteer your time to get involved in this initiative or want to find out more, email CMAHPFaculty@sthk.nhs.uk

Peer support placement presentations 

Stuart and Megan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmFrJnoRq84

Calum and Ellie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7sUYXqWMGc

Rex and Millie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L02alSfdfLg

Follow the Faculty on Twitter @C_M_AHP_Faculty or ask your AHP Lead regarding the AHP Faculty. This is your Faculty and we are always looking for individuals interested in developing the AHP workforce through projects. Your banding does not matter – just your enthusiasm, ideas and conviction.

 

Community Cares Division

AHP Forum July 2023 slides

AHP Forum January 2023 slides

AHP Forum November 2022 slides

AHP Forum April 2023 slides can be found here (includes presentation 'Feedback from a new Strength & Balance group' - Community Neuro Rehab Team Southport & Formby)

Mental Health Division

 AHP Forum May 2023 slides

Secure Division

Divisional AHP Sessions September 2022

Please see the presentation that was delivered across 5 sessions for the respective divisions and places.

The presentation covers the Mersey Care Vision and what it means for us as AHPs, the new AHP Leadership structure, the services and number of AHPs in each division as well as an overview of the recently published AHP Strategy for England – 2022 to 2027 AHPs Deliver.

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust encourage that Speech and Language Therapists continue to utilise the Dysphagia Competency Framework across their careers to support with CPD.

The following resources have been created to support you with completing this.

Please be aware that the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) are currently reviewing the Dysphagia Competency Framework so please ensure you are using the most up to date framework as identified on the RCSLT website.

Useful resources

Online learning Hub

Pre-Registration eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties

You can access the hub: Resource (learninghub.nhs.uk)

This resource has been developed by the Learning Hub for the launch of Pre-registration Dysphagia competencies, however is a useful tool also for Speech and Language Therapists who are completing their Dysphagia competencies (level A-B)

The resources provides a range of modules looking at typical Dysphagia cases and demonstrates the full management of Dysphagia, e.g. referrals received, triaging, assessment, diagnosis, discharge etc. There are questions at the end of each section supporting the individual with developing their problem solving skills and the highlighting the rationales.

You will need a Learning Hub account to access this programme however it is free for NHS staff to create an account.

FAQs

Dysphagia training and competency framework

Dysphagia training and competency framework FAQs

Competency framework

Resources and tools

HCPC CPD Reflective Practice Template

Reflective practice template | (hcpc-uk.org)

The HCPC website has a number of different resources, including this guide of a reflective practice template which you will be able to use to evidence your competency and/or your learning.

  • 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

In Mersey Care we have AHP’s that work within wider multi-disciplinary teams or within therapy services across Mersey Care. For further information about all 14 of the AHP professions please see the 'Useful Websites/Links' section on the right hand side of the page.

In Mersey Care we have the following AHP Professions:

Art Therapists

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.

Drama Therapists

Further information to be developed

Podiatrists

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

Dietitians

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 here for further details about the different dietetic profiles

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapy 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. 

 

Orthotists

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

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.

Physiotherapists

Further information to be developed

Speech and Language Therapists

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.

Allied Health Professionals Day

Please see our videos below from AHP Day 2023.

Implementing a new Occupational Therapy model within Secure Care Services 

Winter project In reach/Outreach Therapy 

Communication group for people with Parkinsons Disease

Transformation. An MSK skill mix project

Reducing waits significantly to within KPI for Pulmonary rehab

Dietetic apprenticeships

Sefton Long Covid patient engagement and recovery programme

Orthotics

 

What is AHP Day

On Friday 14 October 2022, the 14 allied health professions (AHPs) celebrated the 5th annual AHPs’ Day.

AHPs are the third largest healthcare workforce, with significant opportunities to support delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan. AHPs’ Day is an annual opportunity for AHPs to come together and celebrate being part of the AHP family, and the day gives an opportunity to showcase to others the impact they make to the delivery of high quality care. The collaborations in services, organisations, trusts, regions and nationally enable:

  • Improved awareness of the role of the fourteen allied health professions
  • Showcasing the achievements of local services and their impact on patient care and population health
  • Integrated working with other services and organisations.

Please see Agenda for AHP Day on 14th October 2022

Please see Final Slide Deck from the day here

Over the coming week there will be a series of CPD sessions delivered. For a Programme of the sessions please see here.

After each CPD session, the presentations will be shared here on this page.

CPD Session 1 - Prison In Reach - Emily Bate - Highly Specialist OT - Secure Care Division

CPD Session 2 - Dizziness & Falls - Lisa Burrows - Consultant Vestibular Neuro Physiotherapist

CPD Session 2 Live Recording

CPD Session 3 - First Contact Practitioners (FCP) in Primary Care - Ruth Sephton - Consultant MSK Physiotherapist

 CPD Session 3 Live Recording

CPD Session 4 - Co-production & the AHP Student Toolkit - Jean Clare - AHP Workforce Lead & Iris Benson MBE - HSJ Patient Leader and AHP Advanced Quality Improvement Lead, Lived Experience

CPD Session 4 Live Recording

CPD Session 5 - Clinical Skills Team - Alex Shepherd & Sarah Gibson - Senior Clinical Skills Facilitators, SALT & Nursing

CPD Session 5 Live Recording

CPD Session 6 - Occupational Therapy & the ACP Role - Kay Roscoe - OT Advanced Clinical Practitioner

CPD Session 6 Live Recording

CPD Session 7 - The Development of the Role of the Catering Dietitian - Emma Hyland - Lead Catering Dietitian

CPD Session 7 Live Recording

CPD Session 8 - Secure Care Inpatient Moving On Groups - Tiffany Hunter & Heavenly Cunliffe - SALT & OT

CPD Session 8 Live Recording

 

 

 

 

 

 AHP Day 2021

AHPS day logo.png  

On Thursday, 14 October 2021, the 14 allied health professions (AHPs) celebrated the 4th annual AHPs’ Day.

What is AHPs day?

AHPs’ Day is an annual opportunity for AHPs to come together and celebrate being part of the AHP family, and the day gives an opportunity to showcase to others the impact they make to the delivery of high-quality care.

On the day the AHP leads hosted a virtual event where there was a range of speakers. The guest line-up included author Michael Rosen speaking about his recent AHP experiences. 

The collaborations in services, organisations, trusts, regions and nationally enable:

  • Improved awareness of the role of the fourteen allied health professions
  • Showcasing the achievements of local services and their impact on patient care and population health
  • Integrated working with other services and organisations.

Key messages this year for AHPs’ day included:

Celebrating who AHPs are; Appreciating AHP skills and impact on care; Inspiring our future workforce; Connecting so that AHPs are included in workforce transformation and pathway redesign in systems.

Below is a link to the slides and presentation from the day:

Wrapping around AHP day was a series of CPD sessions held throughout the week. Below are the presentations from the CPD sessions that were held:

AHP Naming Conventions

AHP Vacancies

ICS

Useful websites/links

Guidance

Health and Wellbeing

AHP Workforce Information ​​​​​​leaflets and posters

AHP Research

Twitter

Follow us - @Mersey_Care

C&M AHP Faculty - @C_M_AHP_Faculty