The conference, which took place on Thursday 10 October 2024, was part of celebrations to mark AHP day, which is held on 14 October. The themes for this year’s AHP Day are quality and safety. This aligns with the AHP strategy for England which emphasises the importance of providing exceptional care to the people and communities ELFT works alongside.
The AHP awards had six categories, and there were many nominations, reflecting the many great achievements of the ELFT AHP community.
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to all the award winners!
The award categories and winners are listed below.
AHP Living Well Working Together Award: This award honours AHP teams improving health and reducing inequalities.
Winner: Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) Team of SCYPS - Occupational Therapy Service for Children
The DCD Team partnered with Leyton Orient to deliver football sessions for children with DCD, achieving a 71.43% improvement rate and 100% parent satisfaction across Newham, Hackney, and Tower Hamlets.
AHP Support Worker Award: This award recognises an AHP Support Worker for their contribution to delivering care and supporting their team.
Winner: Mandy O’Callaghan Occupational Therapy assistant (inpatient MH Newham)
Mandy exemplifies outstanding care, advocating for service users and delivering compassionate, person-centred support while transforming environments and ensuring effective discharges.
AHP Innovation and Service Improvement Award: This award recognises an AHP team or individual who has worked to deliver service innovation and to improve health outcomes.
Winner: Community Therapy Team, Tower Hamlets CHS
The Community Therapy Team has excelled post-merger in Tower Hamlets, reducing waiting lists by 40%, increasing clinical capacity by 70%, and enhancing team cohesion, all while improving patient outcomes and staff retention.
Supporting AHP Learners: This award recognises an AHP Team or individual who has supported AHP Learner
Winner: Aimee Francois Arts therapists working in Forensics in London
Aimee, lead arts therapist, supports trainee therapists in a challenging environment, providing training resources and collaborating on the National Koestler Awards, resulting in several wins for ELFT service users.
AHP Digital Practice Award: This award recognises an AHP Team or individual who have led the way in digital developments
Winner: Pathways App Team –Forensic Service
The Pathways Team developed an app to help service users track their progress, improve understanding of care, identify barriers, and support innovative service improvements alongside their regular work.
AHP of the Year: Leadership Award: This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and contribution.
Joint Winner: Eleanor Mata Therapy Manager THCHS
As Therapies Lead for Tower Hamlets CHS, Eleanor has transformed clinical care pathways and improved quality of life by collaborating with service users and providers, championing advanced practice roles, and embracing technology. Her work has earned recognition through HSJ, Tower Hamlets, and ELFT awards. Eleanor is an inspiring AHP, dedicated to maximizing the impact of AHPs in community health settings.
Joint Winner: Emma Towlson Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapy (Early Years) Specialist Services (SCYPS)
Emma, SALT Lead for SCYPs, exemplifies compassionate leadership, supporting staff well-being, fostering inclusivity, and promoting anti-racism, which enhances team dynamics and improves care outcomes for children and families.