Who are Allied Health Professionals?

This page explains more about the role of Allied Health Professionals (AHP) and how to become an Allied Health Professional 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

The Allied Health Professions (AHPs) are the third largest clinical workforce in the health and care. They include 14 degree level professions that are assisted by AHP Support Workers.

AHPs provide system-wide care to assess, treat, diagnose, and discharge patients. They work across a wide range of different settings including the community, people’s homes and schools, as well as hospitals.

AHPs focus is on prevention and improvement of health and wellbeing to maximise the potential for individuals to live full and active lives.

Support workers, senior support workers, assistants and assistant practitioners work with AHPs, providing high quality, life changing care across a range of acute and community services.

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 as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.

Dietitians

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

Dietitians translate the science of nutrition into everyday information and advise people on their 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 personal and social problems.

Music therapists

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

Music therapists use the power of 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 do things they want and need to in everyday lives.

Operating department practitioners

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

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

Orthoptists

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

Orthoptists help improve the quality of 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 detect, treat and prevent health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s 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 provide essential emergency care. They also work in the community and play an important role in public health.

Physiotherapists

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

Physiotherapists help people improve their physical health 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 and care for 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, splints or 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 advanced imaging equipment to look inside a person’s body to help diagnose an illness or deliver 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 care for people who have difficulties with communications, eating and drinking.