Chief AHP NHSE Visit to Tower Hamlets Community Health Services

AHP: AHPs refer to Allied Health Professions, which is a group of more than 15 degree-level healthcare professionals who are distinct from doctors and nurses. They focus on preventing illness, improving health and wellbeing, and maximising a person's potential through a holistic approach to care.

Philippa Wright, Chief of Allied Health Professionals, NHS England - London Region, spent time with AHP colleagues at Mile End Hospital on Tuesday, 18 November. She heard about the pioneering work being carried out by AHPs across Tower Hamlets, hearing directly from staff about their experiences, successes, and collaborative approaches.

The visit also provided an opportunity to share how AHP-led initiatives are improving patient outcomes, supporting integration across services, and contributing to the NHS Long Term Plan priorities.

Group shot of staff — Staff at the Admission Avoidance Team at Emergency Department

Showcasing Innovation in AHP Practice
Staff from various services in Tower Hamlets, including Foothealth, Falls Prevention, and Physiotherapy, delivered engaging presentations about their work and collaborative approaches.

Teams highlighted their initiatives, such as widening access to essential foot health services for people experiencing homelessness and AHP-led work that helps prevent unnecessary hospital admissions—both of which make a measurable difference to patient outcomes and support integration across services.

Photo of Phillippa, Eleanor and Laura — Photo: Eleanor Mata (centre), Phillippa Wright (left) and Laura Leadsford (right)

Speaking about her visit, Phillippa said:

'I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting the AHP Tower Hamlets Team today. It is always inspiring to visit Trusts and hear directly from the teams, but today's visit clearly evidenced how truly innovative these AHP services are.

The Tower Hamlets population presents a wide range of challenges; these include poor health outcomes combined with being high users of primary care and emergency services. What I heard today were AHP colleagues delivering their services in a truly innovative way, providing care in the right place at the right time, but most importantly delivering clear outcomes for both patient and staff wellbeing. In addition to this, there was also clear evidence of significant cost savings, something which has to be applauded.

I personally look forward to sharing this work more widely across our Capital, and I urge the senior leaders of Tower Hamlets to recognise this great work and ensure that, as Integrated Neighbourhood Teams are developed more widely that these examples are seen as key to their success.'