I am Workforce Lead for NHS England's Allied Health Professions (AHP) and multi-professional Advancing Practice.

People in rural communities often struggle to access specialist physical and mental health rehabilitation and diagnostic services. Early expert diagnosis and treatment is essential for access to prompt, effective care and support so that people can stay in school, in work, engaged in society or caring for a loved one. This impacts positively upon health outcomes and inequalities.

The AHPs are 15 small, highly skilled professions which usually train and often choose to work in large cities. Increasing workforce solutions that draw people from rural communities (who understand and choose to serve their communities) into blended training can transform access to skilled decision makers and to treatment by people who genuinely understand the nuanced needs of the community.

I am building a global network of AHP leaders to share, learn and develop ideas. Rural communities share common challenges and courageous step changes are needed now. My Fellowship will examine key global innovations at first hand to build relevant learning directly into healthcare policy.