Highlighting our AHPs

Celebrating our AHPs

This month we’re highlighting our Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who all play a crucial role in treating, rehabilitating and improving the lives of our patients.

There are nine different AHP sectors working across our Trust, which includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians, radiographers, operating department practitioners, podiatrists, prosthetists/ orthotists and orthoptists.

Dietitians assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems plus create care plans to improve clinical outcomes, all with the aim of improving people’s health. “I specialise in supporting patients with diabetes and aspire to make a real difference in each patients’ care experience. One of the biggest rewards is knowing you have played an integral role in supporting a patient to make real positive changes to their longterm health.

Hazel Cheung, Specialist Dietician

The North West Assistive Technology (NWAT) Team provides computer and phone access to patients with bilateral upper limb difficulties. This includes people with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury. “Providing those who can't use normal devices with access to the internet or a phone to keep in contact with loved ones, particularly during the pandemic, is really rewarding.

Antonia McVeigh, Occupational Therapist for NWAT

I work in Interventional Radiology Theatres with a great team of doctors, nurses and radiographers, where I perform the medical imaging for minimally invasive procedures. We often need to perform unplanned emergency procedures, so you never really know what your day is going to be like. “It’s really rewarding to be able to see improvements in our patients’ health, some who may visit us on a regular basis.

Emma Finnegan, Diagnostic Radiographer

Orthoptists diagnose and manage patients with disorders of binocular vision, and recently we are encompassing procedures and conditions normally managed by a medic. We support the sub specialities within Ophthalmology but also other specialities such as Neurology, Endocrinology and Stroke. “I enjoy the increasing diversity of our clinical workload at St Paul’s Eye Unit, as well as the camaraderie, and helping our patients get back to their daily activities.

Jane Young, Orthoptist

I specialise in treating people recovering from breast cancer treatment, which can involve releasing axillary cording, connective tissue massage and scar tissue mobilisation as well as educating patients in maintaining an active lifestyle to aid their recovery. “I absolutely love my role and am very passionate about helping these patients during a stressful time in their lives by providing them with an opportunity to improve their physical function and psychological wellbeing.

Joanne Fortune, Senior Physiotherapist

I love my role which supports patients with impairments in swallowing, communication and voice disorders. Our team works with a variety of areas including Major Trauma, Critical Care, Ventilation Inpatient Centre, Respiratory, Liverpool's Head & Neck Centre and the Stroke Unit. “I am passionate about patient care and I enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.

Sara Hatton, Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Prosthetists assess patients who have had an amputation or have a congenital absence of a limb. We take a plaster cast of the residual limb, modify it and manufacture a prosthetic device specific to each patient. “We’re lucky to have a team of very experienced clinicians who specialise in various areas, such as hip disarticulation. We have been manufacturing the famous bikini socket here at Aintree with fantastic results. “Many patients struggle with the loss of their limbs, but I find it very rewarding to be part of their journey and see them regain their independence.

Lynzy Holding, Prosthetics Manager

I’ve seen massive strides in podiatric care, especially in the last 10 years in the Trust. We now work with several departments, particularly musculoskeletal and diabetes, and this benefits our patients as we treat the person, not just the feet. “We have developed our assessment skills and work alongside consultants and diabetes specialist nurses, aiming to create a seamless service from community podiatry to our hospitals. During COVID-19 we maintained our foot ulcer service which allowed us to see urgent cases far quicker and has led us to reflect on altering our referral process permanently.

John Nightingale, Highly Specialist PodiatristMCAS, Rheumatology and Gerontology

As Operating Department Practitioners, we are highly skilled members of the

Perioperative Care Team, with the specialist knowledge needed to care for patients in three key areas: anaesthetics, surgery and recovery. “We also support the anaesthetist to care for patients in critical situations, such as attending emergencies in A&E and within Critical Care. The role is varied, challenging and very rewarding, and we love making a real difference to our patients’ lives.

Zoe Pennington, ODP