Let’s hear it for our allied health heroes

SESLHD celebrated Allied Health Professionals Day on Wednesday 14 October with this year's theme in mind: Celebrating, appreciating, inspiring, connecting.

There are 23 disciplines that make up our allied health workforce. These include: art therapy, audiology, child life therapy, counselling, diversional therapy, exercise physiology, genetic counselling, music therapy, nuclear medicine technology, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, radiation therapy, orthoptics, orthotics and prosthetics, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, radiography, sexual assault, social work, speech pathology and welfare.  

These specialists work together with doctors and nurses, to assess, diagnose, prevent and manage a wide range of health conditions. With over 1,700 allied health clinicians employed across SESLHD, this group of professionals make up a third of the workforce in the Australian health sector.

Claire O'Connor, Director Allied Health, SESLHD acknowledged the outstanding and innovative care provided by our allied health workforce. 
 
“Thank you for your commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients and communities, and for being adaptable and flexible in your approach. I am very proud to represent you all, knowing the hard work that goes in to making a difference to our patients' lives,” Ms O’Connor said.

This year, SESLHD's allied health staff demonstrated their hard work, adaptability and commitment to providing exceptional care to our community by up-skilling in response to the pandemic and rapidly transitioning to the use of telehealth technologies, ensuring continuity of care for our patients.
 
"During this stressful time, they have also demonstrated their ability to bring joy and kindness into their workplaces, including virtual huddles and cuddles,” Ms O’Connor said.