Who are the AHPs
Allied Health Professions, or AHPs, are NHS Wales' third largest professional workforce. They provide a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services. AHPs in Wales consist of 13 professions who work to improve public health, impacting people's physical, mental, and social well-being.
Unlike doctors and nurses, AHPs bring a unique set of skills and expertise to the healthcare field. They specialise in specific healthcare areas, working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. This unique combination allows them to deliver high-quality healthcare to patients across various settings.
Click on the tiles below to explore detailed information about each AHP profession, including career details, required skills, training, career progression, working environment, salary, and current vacancies.
It's important to note that AHPs and Healthcare Science are grouped differently in England and Wales. For specific information on radiographers or operating department practitioners, please refer to HEIW’s Healthcare Science pages.
The Role of AHPs
AHPs play a critical role in the healthcare system. Together, the AHPs individually and collectively empower the health and well-being of the population across their entire lifespan. Their responsibilities include diagnosing and treating conditions, promoting health and well-being, and helping patients manage long-term conditions.
AHPs work in a variety of health and social care environments, including hospitals, community clinics, GP practices, people’s homes, and private enterprises. They deliver strong, practical, solution-focused, and life-affirming outcomes through a unique range of bio, psycho, and evidence-based social interventions. AHPs are essential in ensuring patients receive comprehensive and personalised care.
If you're an AHP and would like to add your experience to the portfolio, we encourage you to register through our Allied Health Professionals Job Profile Survey. Your contribution will help us build a comprehensive understanding of the AHP landscape.
The importance of AHPs
AHPs are vital to the success of the healthcare system. Their expertise in prevention, recovery, and rehabilitation makes them critical contributors to holistic healthcare delivery. In Wales, AHPs form a significant portion of the healthcare workforce, driving improvements in patient care and system efficiency.
With their combined skillset, AHPs are effective at responding to the population’s complex, multi-dimensional needs, enabling individuals to:
- Return to meaningful activities (hobbies or interests) that enhance their quality of life after an injury/period of illness.
- Maintain their independence for as long as possible, aiming for individual goals.
- Allow individuals to remain in work and return to work after a period of ill health.
- Allow people to live in their own homes for as long as possible.
- Prevent unavoidable hospital admissions.
- Speed up discharge from the hospital.
- Reduce the need to utilise long-term health and care services.
We are also proud to celebrate our National AHP Day on the 14th of October
Regulation
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulates health and care professions in Wales, including Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). The HCPC ensures that AHPs meet high standards of practice and continue to develop professionally, safeguarding the quality of care provided to the public.
You can read more information on the legislation that governs AHPs in Wales on our AHP Strategic Programme page.
The Future of AHPs
The demand for AHPs is growing, and they are expected to play an increasingly important role in the healthcare workforce in NHS Wales. The number of AHPs in Wales is set to rise in the next ten years, with AHP interventions reducing the need to utilise long-term health care services.
Technology is expected to play an increasing role in AHP interventions, such as 3D printing, virtual reality (VR) headsets, virtual appointments, and artificial intelligence (AI). These will enable AHPs to modernise and transform primary and community care practice.
With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and patient-centred care, AHPs will continue to be essential in shaping the future of healthcare. You can learn more about the future of AHPs on our AHP Strategic Programme page.
Get Involved
If you are a student or a career changer and are passionate about making a difference in healthcare, consider a career as an Allied Health Professional. Explore our resources to learn more about the various roles and why an AHP career may suit you using our page How to become an AHP.
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