University Hospitals of North Midlands appoints its first Chief Allied Health Professional

University Hospitals of North Midlands has announced the appointment of Ceri Sedgley as its first Chief Allied Health Professional (AHP).

Ceri, joined the Trust within the Centre for Nurses Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHP) Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE) team and has been working with the AHP leadership structure across UHNM to develop a strategy and implementation plan for the AHP Strategy: AHPs Deliver.

AHP’s are the third largest workforce in the NHS.  As professionally autonomous practitioners, they to assess, treat, diagnose and discharge patients. Their particular skills and expertise can be the most significant factor in helping people to recover with their movement or mobility; overcome visual problems; improve nutritional status; develop communication skills and restore confidence in everyday living skills.

Originally trained in Shropshire, Ceri undertook clinical placements at Stoke. She has worked in a range of roles and organisations across the UK including operational leadership of large clinical teams, within a professional body leading advanced and consultant level practice and nationally implementing system-wide pathway changes. Ceri has held posts as a sessional lecturer at Keele University including within the School of Medicine. Her most recent clinical role was in an Advanced Practice role.

Dr Alison Cooke, Assistant Director of Nursing (NMAHP) Research and Academic Development and Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE) Lead said: “I am delighted to welcome Ceri to the CeNREE Team as UHNM Chief AHP. Ceri has already proved an invaluable asset in providing a voice for AHPs in the Trust and contributes a wealth of experience to the senior team.”

Ceri said: “I am looking forward to working with everyone at UHNM. I believe that every clinician should have the opportunity to participate in research and all service users should benefit from this. As an AHP I have a breadth of experience and a passion for collaboration and supporting the development of our AHP workforce and services to deliver high quality, evidence based care working closely with our higher education institutions. I have a strong interest in quality and safety and the development of talent within the AHP professions and driving improvements for the workforce around diversity and inclusion.”