Media Release
Date: 14 October 2024
RUH staff celebrate their varied healthcare roles on Allied Health Professions’ Day
Staff across the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust have been celebrating the varied roles of Allied Health Professions (AHPs) as part of national AHPs’ Day.
As the third-largest clinical workforce within health and care, allied health professions play a pivotal role in supporting the NHS, providing a wide range of care and support.
There are more than 400 staff at the RUH working in AHP roles. These include dieticians, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, paramedics, physiotherapists, podiatrists, orthotists, therapeutic radiographers, diagnostic radiographers and speech and language therapists.
To mark AHPs’ Day, RUH staff have been talking about their roles and the different ways to start a career as an AHP. Dominic McBurney began his job as a diagnostic radiographer at the RUH five months ago after completing a degree with the University of the West of England (UWE).
He said: “My mum used to be a radiographer, so it was something that was always around me growing up and there was always an interest there. I also like talking to people and using incredible equipment – so the job really appealed to me!
“The degree course was perfect as it gives you time to learn on the job through work placements, which I found so helpful. It’s when you get to ask all the questions you need to and get such helpful supervision – you learn so much.
“You’ll find me based mainly in our emergency department, carrying out X-rays for broken bones and imaging chests for possible infections. “It’s a great job and the RUH has supported me really well with my career progression too, providing funding for extra training and giving me opportunities to work across departments with other AHP teams to further my experience.”
Chelle Wright began an apprenticeship as a physiotherapist after spending 14 years as a technical instructor at the RUH.
She said: “I’ve worked at the RUH for many years, but when the opportunity came up for me to start an apprenticeship I didn’t have to think twice. “Most people would associate apprenticeships with younger people just starting out in their careers but I hope to show it’s never too late to become an apprentice and learn new skills.
“I’m currently doing a degree at UWE and will hopefully become a fully qualified physiotherapist next year. As it’s an apprenticeship I’ve been able to learn on the job too, which has been fantastic.
“The RUH is a great place to work – I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t! I’m part of a fantastic, supportive team and am really enjoying my role. You get such a sense of achievement when you get someone mobile and back home. You know you’ve really helped to improve their quality of life.”
You can search for AHP jobs on the RUH website and there’s lots more information about working as an AHP on the NHS Careers website :-
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/