Wanted: More hospital heroes for our NHS – Jo Churchill

The job title Allied Health Professional itself might not be instantly recognisable.

But if you mention paramedics people might think of the person who saved their father from a heart attack.

Say physiotherapist and they may think of the person who helped their son walk again after breaking a leg, or a speech and language therapist could have taught their autistic child to communicate.

All of these roles are Allied Health Professionals and they are among the most varied and vital jobs in our health service.

Without these life savers, life changers and committed professionals our NHS wouldn’t be able to provide the brilliant services it does today.

I know first-hand how important these roles are.

When I was twice diagnosed and treated for cancer, the NHS radiographers, physiotherapists, and nurses (including the cancer nurse specialists who looked after me) gave me faith that it was going to be OK.

I will never forget their compassion, kindness and professionalism and our NHS needs many more of them to continue to provide excellent care to people in some of the toughest moments of their lives.

I want more people to consider one of these careers, where you can make an immeasurable difference to people’s lives every single day.

But across the country there is huge variation in how many people apply for these different roles – and it is crucial every area has the numbers they need.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, 205 more people joined the NHS as allied health professionals in 2016/17 – a 10.4 per cent increase on the previous five years.

The number of people becoming medical radiographers rose by over 50 per cent but the Yorkshire area is in real need of more podiatrists.

Now, for the first time, we are launching a national recruitment drive targeted at these professions alongside a new package of financial support for students.

You may have seen our new advert voiced by acclaimed Staffordshire-born actor and director Paddy Considine.

Filmed in Leeds, it features people working in the NHS 
right now and it perfectly captures the pride they take in their work.

On top of our new ad, from September students training towards the careers highlighted in the campaign will benefit from a new Government maintenance grant worth at least £5,000 a year.

This includes occupational therapists, paramedics, podiatrists, diagnostic radiographers, therapeutic radiographers, orthoptists, physiotherapists, prosthetists and orthotists.

Up to £3,000 more will go to students with childcare responsibilities or studying selected specialisms – including podiatry, prosthetics and radiography.

This is in addition to existing tuition and maintenance loans so students will be better able to help support themselves during their studies.

These jobs require a degree-level qualification, but it’s vital we have a diverse workforce so I am encouraging both young people who are finishing university and people interested in changing careers to consider applying to help build the workforce of the future.

The new campaign also targets nurses as part of the Government’s work to deliver 50,000 more nurses by 2025, and I’m delighted they will benefit from the same financial support.

We’re all aware of the challenges posed by Covid-19, and the reality is the NHS has never needed its staff more.

The Government has promised to secure 26,000 primary care professionals, including paramedics and physiotherapists, and 50,000 more nurses by 2025, so every patient can all benefit from their broad range of skills in their hour of need.

To help make sure the health service is there for everyone in future, we will need more budding Allied Health Professionals to get on board and join the NHS.

If you think one of these careers could be for you, visit gov.uk/nhscareers.

Jo Churchill is a junior Health Minister and Conservative MP.