MPFT recognised for transformative programme of support for its AHP workforce page thumbnail

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) are proud winners of the NHS England Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) AHP Workforce Transformation Award 2024, with partners Oxleas.

The national CAHPO awards are presented annually by Professor Suzanne Rastrick OBE and form part of the celebrations leading up to AHP Day on 14 October; recognising the contributions and highlighting the impact of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) on the communities they serve and NHS services, in improving health outcomes.

Wendy Hollands, AHP Professional Lead for Workforce at MPFT, along with Felicity Devereux and Hannah Tomkins, AHP Preceptorship Leads at Oxleas, won the award for successfully embedding the Oxleas AHP Preceptorship Programme within MPFT and demonstrating how it has positively impacted the AHP workforce.

MPFT were the first NHS partners to work with Oxleas, when in 2021, the huge challenge that its AHP workforce had faced during the Covid-19 pandemic was recognised, and work began to provide a comprehensive preceptorship programme that would meet the needs of the Trust’s AHPs.

The 12-month programme provides support to newly registered practitioners, to guide, develop, and build confidence and competence, through the transition to autonomous professional, by providing two hours of virtual facilitated sessions per month and two hours of protected time with their preceptor.

There is also a six-month programme, Beyond Preceptorship, which is designed to support AHPs who: have previously completed preceptorship and are returning to practice, are an international recruit, or have been promoted and wish to enhance their skills.

Wendy said:

“As a Trust we are fully committed to ensuring all our AHPs are empowered to thrive. Through the preceptorship programme, we aim to build their confidence and ensure that they are supported across their transitions into new roles or workplaces. We’re delighted to see so many preceptees complete the programme; it helps us as an organisation build a sense of community amongst our AHP workforce. We are thrilled that this has been recognised by the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for NHS England with this award.”

Rachel McKeown, Director of Allied Health Professionals at MPFT said:

“The Oxleas Preceptorship Programme is one of the reasons that MPFT is a fantastic place for AHPs to work and progress their careers. The programme provides our newly qualified AHP workforce with a network of support from both other newly qualified AHPs and our more experienced employees. I’d like to offer my congratulations to Wendy, Hannah and Felicity for this well-deserved recognition.”

You can find out more about the benefits of MPFT’s preceptorship programme here: AHP Preceptorship and Beyond