Who are Allied Health Professionals?

This page explains more about the role of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and how to become an AHP Support Worker.

Young black woman making a smoothie in the kitchen using blender

Care focussed on prevention and improvement

Male Physiotherapist helping a male patient to exercise using a resistance band

AHPs are the third largest clinical workforce. 

AHPs assess, treat and diagnose patients. They work across a wide range of different settings. This includes the community, education and hospitals.

AHPs improve health and wellbeing to help people live full and active lives.

The professions include:

Art therapists

Art therapists use art as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing

Art therapists use art to help people to address emotional issues.

Dietitians

Dietitians translate the science of nutrition into everyday information about food and advise people on their food and nutrition choices

Dietitians provide advice about food and nutrition choices.

Drama therapists

Drama therapists use role play, voice work, movement and storytelling to help people explore and solve personal and social problems

Drama therapists use role play and storytelling to help people solve problems.

Music therapists

Music therapists use the power of music to help people deal with feelings they cannot put into words

Music therapists use music to help people deal with feelings they cannot put into words.

Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists help people with mental and physical health needs do things they want and need to in everyday lives

Occupational therapists help people with mental and physical health needs to live fulfilling lives.

Operating department practitioners

Operating department practitioners provide expert care and support during operations in operating theatres

Operating department practitioners provide expert care in operating theatres.

Orthoptists

Orthoptists help improve the quality of people’s lives by treating eye disorders and spotting serious neurological conditions

Orthoptists improve people’s lives by treating eye disorders and spotting serious neurological conditions.

Osteopaths

Osteopaths are experts in the musculoskeletal system. They detect, treat and prevent health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints

Osteopaths treat health problems by moving, stretching and massaging muscles and joints.

Paramedics

Paramedics provide essential emergency care in pre-hospital settings. They also work in the community and play an important role in public health.

Paramedics are the first responders to emergencies and provide lifesaving care to those in need.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists help people improve their physical health through movement, exercise, manual therapy and advice.

Physiotherapists help people through movement, exercise, manual therapy and advice.

Podiatrists

Podiatrists treat and care for people whose feet and lower limbs have been affected by injury or illness.

Podiatrists treat people whose feet and lower limbs have been affected by injury or illness.

Prosthetists and Orthotists

Prosthetists and orthotists prescribe and supply prosthetic limbs, splints or braces to support or enhance the neuro-muscular and skeletal systems.

Prosthetists and Orthotists prescribe prosthetic limbs, and braces to help people.

Radiographers

Radiographers use advanced imaging equipment to look inside a person’s body to help diagnose an illness or deliver radiation treatment to treat cancer patients.

Radiographers use specialist equipment to diagnose illness. They also provide radiation treatment to treat cancer patients.

Speech and language therapists

Speech and language therapists support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communications, eating, drinking and swallowing.

Speech and language therapists help people with communication, eating or drinking difficulties.