Chief AHP's blog

Date of release: 23 December 2024

Christmas is one of my favourite times, and for my final blog of 2024, I would like to reflect on our busy year.

We have seen extreme challenges in terms of increased patient acuity and complexity, and we have also faced significant financial and workforce constraints.

But I am extremely proud of our AHP workforce, which has continued to provide excellent patient care through its determination and innovative practice.

And I am delighted that, despite these pressures, we created four exciting developmental opportunities for our AHP workforce, including Chief AHP Fellowship and AHP Lead Support Worker secondments.

And on AHPs Day (14 October) we recognised exceptional individuals with our RWT AHP Awards.

Several AHPs also received regional and national awards or recognition for their work. These include Charlotte Colesby, Interim Deputy Chief AHP and Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) Services Manager, who was invited to Buckingham Palace to represent SLT.

With two publications by AHPs at RWT being quoted by Professor Suzanne Rastrick, Chief AHP Officer for England, and her team, research featured throughout 2024.

Our Orthotics Team is proud of its British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists posters and published authors, both registrants and administrative staff.

And, although the Research ABC project ended in March, we continue to share the project outputs.

Learning and development was another theme, with Orthoptics receiving wonderful student feedback.

Six Operating Department Practitioner apprentices qualified and joined the Theatres team, with another 10 in training.

In recognition of their continued commitment to supporting the Trust’s Apprenticeship scheme, Theatres has been selected for an Apprenticeship Award.

Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy have shown their commitment to grow a diverse workforce by offering opportunities through apprenticeships and internal promotions.

RWT hosted Health Education England’s 18-month Paramedics Relations Fellowship, which ended in August, bringing back a wealth of knowledge to the Trust.

The third theme is quality and performance. Our Dietitians demonstrated how a programme to improve hydration in care homes can reduce hospital admissions due to falls and urinary tract infections.

Our Podiatrists reduced their waiting list to its lowest for many years, and our Radiology Department was recognised as one of the best performing Imaging Departments regionally and nationally.

After our Therapeutic Radiographers embraced new techniques, we are the only centre in the West Midlands offering breast radiotherapy and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) using adaptive breathing control (ABC) technology.

For those working over the festive period, I hope everyone manages to take a well-earned break soon.

So, as 2024 comes to an end, I thank every one of you for your commitment to our patients.

The visibility and voice of AHPs at RWT and in the Black Country has increased significantly and I look forward to working with you all in 2025.

Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas,

Ros