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Allied health professionals receive tools to improve patient care 14 August 2003

  • Published date:
    14 August 2003

Rosie Winterton launches Ten Key Roles to move towards new ways of working

Health Minister Rosie Winterton today launched the Ten Key Roles for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), which are designed to help AHPs improve patient care in the context of the NHS Plan.

The roles were developed by representatives from all Allied Health Professions - which include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy - and outline the core responsibilities of AHPs, helping them to move forward to create new roles for themselves.

Rosie Winterton said:

"Caring for a sick patient involves a team effort. The work undertaken by AHPs is vital to the NHS, and we hope these 10 Key Roles will offer them the recognition and support they deserve. By using these roles as guidance, AHPs will be able to extend and develop new roles for themselves and move towards new ways of working."

For example, these roles clarify that AHPs - whilst working within protocols - can discharge or refer patients. They are also able to request and assess diagnostic tests, and supply and administer medicines. The roles also emphasise the leadership aspect of AHPs, saying that they should provide clinical leadership for teams, projects and case loads.

Chief Health Professions Officer Kay East said:

"AHPs provide high quality, effective and integrated patient centred services, and working with them to develop these roles has been a very positive experience. They are keen to grasp the opportunities that the NHS offers to develop advanced practice and skills, and work together as professionals to encourage the clinical, intellectual and personal development of competent professionals and support staff."

Notes to editor

The Allied Health Professions are:

  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Art Therapists
  • Chiropodists/Podiatrists
  • Dietetians
  • Drama Therapists
  • Music Therapists
  • Orthoptists
  • Paramedics
  • Prosthetists & Orthotists
  • Radiographers

The Ten Key Roles are:

  1. To develop extended clinical and practitioner roles which cross professional and organisational boundaries
  2. To be a first point of contact for patient care, including single assessment
  3. To diagnose, request and assess diagnostic tests, and prescribe, working with protocols where appropriate
  4. To discharge and/or refer patients to other services, working with protocols where appropriate
  5. To provide consultancy support to others promoting the AHP contribution to patient independence and functioning, training, developing, mentoring, teaching, informing and educating health care professionals, students, patients and carers
  6. To manage and lead teams, projects, services and case loads, providing clinical leadership
  7. To develop and apply the best available research evidence and evaluative thinking in all areas of practice
  8. To play a central role in the promotion of health and well being
  9. To take an active role in strategic planning and policy development for local organisations and services
  10. To extend and improve collaboration with other professions and services, including shared working practices and tools.

For media enquiries, contact Victoria MacCallum at the Department of Health media centre on 020 7210 5281.

  • Contact:
    Press officer
  • Address:
    Media Centre, Department of Health
    Richmond House, 79 Whitehall
    London
    SW1A 2NL
  • Phone:
    Media Centre
    020 7210 5221

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