Visit from NHS England Chief AHP Officer, Suzanne Rastgrick
Last month an event was held at St George’s where allied health professionals (AHPs) showcased a series and examples of innovative practice and research.
The event, attended by Suzanne Rastgrick, NHS England Chief AHP Officer, was opened by Jennie Hall, Chief Nurse, on behalf of Miles Scott in conjunction with Jenny Higham, from St George’s University. Suzanne was presented with an update on examples of current collaboration between St George’s and the university.
Suzanne visited STAR to see our acute medicine therapists in action in the emergency department, then visited the helipad followed by a visit to our neuro rehab gym to see neurological patients participating in joint therapy sessions.
Suzanne was particularly interested in speaking to patients and families about the care they were receiving from AHPs. Following this she was presented with work AHPs have done in relation to the development of a pathway for brain injury and dementia. Bernie Kennedy presented the work she has been leading on in the Integrated Falls and Bone Health service in the community.
Suzanne was particularly interested in the work St George’s AHPs have been doing in the area of service improvement, innovative practice, developing the evidence base supporting research and audit in addition to working collaboratively with external organisations. She tweeted many of the AHP posters displayed by the various AHPs and encouraged staff to promote their excellent work via awards.
There are in excess of 700 AHPs employed by St George’s, ranging from dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, radiographers and speech and language therapists.
