The Health Minister has paid tribute to NI's Allied Health
Professionals (AHPs) and acknowledged their unique contribution
in improving healthcare outcomes.
AHPs have a key role to play in the work to rebuild and
restructure the Health and Social Care (HSC) system, the Minister
added.
He was speaking at the Allied Health Professionals Conference
2025, organised in conjunction with Ulster University (UU) and
attended by approximately 250 people, including staff from across
HSC, along with Department of Health officials and UU
representatives.
“Having the right workforce with the right skills,
knowledge and behaviours will be key to both transforming and
building sustainable health and social care services for the
future,” Health Minister said.
“Each profession employed within our system is vital to
the delivery of services. Allied Health professions, and those in
support roles, have a key role to play as we move forward
rebuilding and restructuring the health and social care
system.
“We must fully recognise and acknowledge the unique and
critical contribution which you all make to
improving healthcare outcomes and experiences of people at
every stage of their life.”
In May, the Minister announced a significant package of
investment in the Health and Social Care (HSC) workforce, with a
major focus on expanding student training places for future AHPs.
This year, the Department will commission 505 AHP
pre-registration training places, the highest number on record.
The conference, which took place in UU's Magee Campus, marked the
first for the Department's Chief AHP Officer, Professor Michelle
Tennyson, since she took up her post in January 2024.
Professor Tennyson said: “This conference was a powerful example
of what can be achieved when academia and the health and social
care systems come together with shared purpose.
“By aligning education, research, and service delivery, we are
creating stronger pathways for AHPs and better outcomes for those
for whom we care. I'm proud of the leadership shown on all sides
to make this collaboration possible, and of what it signals for
the future of integrated, person-centred care.”
Professor Daniel Kerr, head of the School of Health Sciences at
Ulster University, said: “Ulster University School of Health
Sciences was proud to co-host the 2025 Allied Health
Professionals (AHP) Conference with the Department of Health,
marking the first time this strategic partnership has delivered a
joint event of this scale.
“It was brilliant to see the event hosted at the
Derry~Londonderry Campus. The conference brought together
academic leaders, policymakers, and clinicians to explore the
evolving role of AHPs in shaping the future of health and social
care through research, innovation, and education.
“This partnership signals a new direction, where higher education
and health system leadership combine to deliver impact at scale,
support workforce transformation, and help build a world-class
healthcare system for the population of Northern Ireland.”
Other speakers at the conference included Department of Health
Permanent Secretary Mike Farrar and consultant Peter McBride, as
well as representatives of AHP professions.
Notes to editors:
- Allied Health Professions (AHPs) are the second largest
clinical workforce in health and social care, with 14
professions. They are: Podiatry, Paramedics, Speech and
Language therapists, Dietitians, Orthoptists, Occupational
Therapists, Prosthetists, Art therapists, Dramatherapists, Music
therapists, Physiotherapists, Diagnostic radiographers,
Therapeutic radiographers, Orthotics.
