The allied health professionals (AHP) support workforce, including support workers and assistant practitioners, plays a vital role in delivering high-quality, efficient, and safe services across health and care settings. The BDA, alongside other AHP professional bodies and trade union partners, have published a joint statement which calls for continued investment, recognition and development of this essential workforce.
This statement highlights the progress made since our 2021 call to action and outlines our shared vision for the future.
Who this statement is for
This statement applies to all AHPs and the AHP support workforce, including assistant practitioners, workforce planners, workforce leads, managers, and people working with the AHP support workforce.
Purpose of the statement
Our goal, as professional bodies, and trade union partners for the AHPs, is to ensure that our professions meet the needs of the people who use them. We also strive to ensure that our members, the individuals who deliver these services, are treated fairly, and guided by robust professional standards and guidelines. This applies to the AHP support workers, assistant practitioners and our registered workforce.
In 2021, we issued a call to action for NHS employers, policymakers, and workforce planners across the UK to make a firm commitment to expanding and developing the AHP support workforce as one element of workforce transformation.
Our vision continues to be to actively contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of the support workforce, enabling them to make a meaningful impact on delivering high-quality, efficient, and safe services.