Publish date: 10 October 2022
In the lead-up to Allied Health Professionals' (AHPs) Day on Friday 14 October, we're sharing stories from our own AHPs about their day to day roles and experiences at the Trust.
There are 14 professions that form the AHP community and combined they represent the third largest part of the health and social care workforce.
Zoe Brush is a speech and language therapist at the Trust, who works in adult mental health services.
Zoe's role covers dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and communication issues across adult mental health services (AMHS), older people's mental health services (OPMHS) and West London Forensic Services (WLFS).
Her team is responsible for organising caseloads and new referrals as well as providing assessments and therapeutic interventions. They travel regularly between sites in Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow.
She said: "The main focus of my job is to provide assessments, therapeutic interventions and education around dysphagia and communication for our service users."
Anne Marie Grant is an occupational therapist working in the Older People's Mental Health Services (OPMHS). She works on the Limes and the Jubilee Ward.
She said: "My role as an occupational therapist is to ensure that all residents maintain independence and good quality of life."
She explained: "At the Limes unit my patients have more complex physical needs which usually require assessment for equipment, such as specialist seating, hoist transfers and feeding.
"At the Jubilee Ward I would conduct assessments for sitting and standing transfers from bed to frame or from bath or shower to toilet. My role is to complete these assessments on the ward, or during a home visit with the patient as preparation for a hospital discharge."
As part of her work she helps provide activity groups for the patients which help to assess their engagement and occupational interests.
She added: "Being an occupational therapist for the OPMHS has given me the opportunity to develop a unique set of skills which cover both mental and physical health competencies within the scope of occupational therapy.
"I enjoy being an AHP because I can deliver person-centred care which gives me a sense of pride doing the job that I love which feels so rewarding."
Regina Okeke is a psychological therapies assistant who works in the arts therapy department at St Bernard's Hospital.
Regina said: "I have the privilege of experiencing the inside of the therapy room by supporting and collaborating with the Trust’s arts therapists."
Her work sees her join the music therapy group, where she moves between observer and participant roles.
She said: "Although a lot of our work in this therapy is non-verbal, there are moments of verbal reflections that are encouraged during the sessions. The therapist prompts the group members to think about what the music sounded and felt like and share any themes or images that might have come to mind."
Regina also helps run an art therapy group in the men's medium secure unit. She said: "Working together the therapist and I create a safe, open space for curiosity, creative ideas and group discussions to emerge. These range from daily life on the wards, progress and recovery, and difficult topics such as violence, vulnerabilities and change."
She said: "I thoroughly enjoy working in this ever-changing environment, and in such a thoughtful and dynamic team that allows me to be curious about the different experiences that can be had in an incredibly structured day."
