The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has published a four nations, public health impact report, which we have supported and worked on, alongside the Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPF).
The report looks at the impact of the five goals set out in the 2019-2024 UK AHP public health strategic framework, reviewing the role of allied health professionals (AHPs) in public health. It aligns with our own workforce strategy which recommends healthcare moving towards prevention and early intervention.
The framework mapped out how AHP teams, their professional bodies and partner organisations could further develop the AHP role in public health, build on the evidence base and embed the principles of public health across the breadth of AHP work.
The five strategic goals of the framework were:
-
education and developing the AHP workforce
-
demonstrating impact
-
increasing the profile of the AHP public health role
-
strategic connections and leadership
-
health and wellbeing of the workforce.
The conclusion of the impact report is that the overarching frames of the strategic framework have been met, largely thanks to collaboration of all the organisations and professional bodies involved, including us. The framework has driven a focus on public health and improved access to resources for all AHPs. We will continue to work with all AHP organisations and relevant health bodies to keep driving forward the aims of the framework and help raise the profile and awareness of the life-changing power of occupational therapy.