Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day

Monday 14th October 2024

Today is Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day.

We’d love to take this day to celebrate our AHP Teams at Aneurin Bevan Health Board. There are many areas our AHPs work within, and they are:

Now let’s meet some of them, and hear what they love about their work.

At the end of this post, you can find more information on varied AHP professionals, and where to go if you’d like to start a career as an AHP.

 

Nicola Pritchard-Jones: Advanced Orthoptist

Based in the Orthoptic Department, Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, our core role is to diagnose and treat eye movement defects and how the eyes work together. 

‘I particularly enjoy the diverse range of patients we see; no two days are the same.  Working closely with patients and building rapport with them, whilst striving to provide them the best possible care is very fulfilling.  I enjoy working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, valuing everyone's input as part of the rehabilitation to the patient's recovery.’

 

Keziah Abraham: Orthotist

Keziah recently joined our Orthotics team and has settled in really well. Keziah is passionate about delivering a high-quality orthotics service.

'Quality and safety in orthotics practice to me means achieving a high standard of care to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. Therefore, providing a person-centred approach with orthotic treatment can maximise a patients independence and social participation.'

 

 

Joy Dando: Music Psychotherapist

Based in Ty Siriol with Older Adults, Joy works as a Music Therapist.

‘I feel extremely honoured and privileged to work with Older Adults. I continue to be inspired by their stories and recollections and strive every day to be present, available, compassionate and professional. I have so much respect for each individual, their tenacity and determination and how they face their difficulties. I love my job, I love how each day is different, challenging and rewarding.’

 

Julie Lee: Podiatrist

Julie is a very experienced Podiatrist working with patients with acute foot problems, often as a result of diabetes or vascular disease.

'Quality for me is about doing the very best that I can do for every patient that I see, in my role it is often about trying to heal wounds in order to prevent amputations. I enjoy learning and putting research in to practice to ensure that we deliver an effective and safe service to the patients that need our help.'

 

Dietitians

Our Dietitians cover a wide range of areas including rehabilitation and recovery, providing nutrition support for general and complex patients using a range of dietetic intervention including oral nutritional support, texture modified diets, enteral tube feeding and other therapeutic diets, and much more.

‘I am very lucky to work with a fantastic and enthusiastic team of Dietitians and multi-disciplinary critical care team who inspire me every day with the compassionate care they provide.  I love that every day is different and brings new challenges and it is so rewarding when we see patients recover and go home and to know that we have played a part in helping them to achieve that.’ - Lucy Morgan (Lead Dietitian for Critical Care and Team Lead for the Grange University Hospital)

‘I love challenges and making a difference in patients’ life. I enjoy using my clinical knowledge and liaising with other healthcare professionals to support patients with liver disease.’ - Eman Akasha (Registered Dietitian band 5 to 6 developmental post)

 

Joanna White: Macmillan Principal Speech and Language Therapist

Joanna works predominantly with people with head and neck cancer and lead a team of SLT in this area. 

‘I love the variety and challenge of my job; no two days are ever the same. I enjoy being able to shape SLT services for the benefit of the residents of our health board.’ 

 

 

Sarah and Jess: Older Adult Mental Health Community Team

Sarah and Jess work within the memory assessment service and secondary mental health team. Sarah, Senior Occupational Therapist (OT), particularly enjoys supporting people with early-stage dementia, gaining skills to manage short term memory difficulties.

‘Helping people to identify what is most important to them, regaining hope that they can live a meaningful life, despite difficulties, is the best part of my job!’

Jess, Occupational Therapy Support Worker (OTSW), really values supporting individuals to reach their goals and particularly enjoys introducing adaptations and digital technology to individuals and their families, and using a graded approach to rebuild confidence.

‘Seeing individuals actively participate within family life again and happy and proud of their achievements, makes my job worthwhile.’

 

Rochelle Eccles: Senior Occupational Therapist

Rochelle works as part of the palliative care team in YYF and is passionate about focussing on what is most important to the patients and the families she works with.

‘I get joy and job satisfaction every day from seeing patients discharged from hospital, surrounded by their loved ones and the things that are important to them.’

 

 

Chris Lloyd: Senior Physiotherapy Manager

Chris is one of 2 physiotherapy senior managers with a base in St Cadocs Hospital and oversees several areas of the physiotherapy service including Musculoskeletal (MSK), Pelvic Health, Paediatrics and Adult Learning Disabilities.

‘Physiotherapy is such an amazing profession to work in and I am still very proud to call myself a physiotherapist. The job is hugely varied and just within the NHS it can cover such a wide range of clinical specialities and areas. As physiotherapists we treat people at all ages and the satisfaction from being able to help others recognise their full potential is hugely rewarding.’    

 

To learn more about the varied roles within AHP, please head here: Allied Health Professions (AHPs) - HEIW (nhs.wales)

For roles and careers:

AHP Roles and Careers - HEIW (nhs.wales)

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