Publish date: 13 October 2026
14 October is national Allied Health Professionals Day which celebrates the contribution AHPs make to health, care and wellbeing.
AHPs are the third largest clinical workforce in the NHS, bringing together 14 different professions. They work across health and care, supporting people from prevention and diagnosis through treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.
For people affected by cancer, AHPs are an important part of multidisciplinary care.
Their expertise can support people at many points in their cancer experience, including diagnosis, treatment, prehabilitation and rehabilitation, nutrition, communication, maintaining independence and living well with and beyond cancer.
Examples of the great work happening by AHPs in the region includes an initiative to support people affected by primary malignant brain tumours and their loved ones in Leeds.
Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists are involved in the project to provide specialist rehabilitation; early access to advanced care planning and carer guided online support.
The theme for AHPs Day 2026 is Celebrating AHPs Deliver, recognising the achievements of the Allied Health Professions Strategy for England: AHPs Deliver 2022–2027 as it approaches the end of its five-year term: NHS England » The Allied Health Professions strategy for England: AHPs Deliver
AHPs Day is also an opportunity to look at how we support and develop our cancer workforce for the future.
The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Forum brings together AHPs working across cancer services in the region.
The Forum is an opportunity to connect with colleagues; share knowledge and good practice; learn from one another and strengthen the AHP voice across cancer care. Learn more here
It provides opportunities to:
- Share knowledge, learning, resources and good practice
- Hear about developments in cancer care, education and research
- Collaborate across professions and organisations
- Share experiences and learn from colleagues across the region
- Connect with AHP colleagues across the region
The Cancer AHP Forum is open to all AHPs working across cancer services in West Yorkshire and Harrogate and the next one occurs on Thursday 12 November between 12-1pm. To find out more, click here: Cancer AHP Forum :: West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance
To mark AHP Day, we have produced several podcasts, including a discussion about the Forum with the Cancer Alliance’s Husna Munir, Kerry Archer (Specialist Oncology Physiotherapist) and Kate Darwin (Specialist Dietitian, UGI/HPB Oncology).
Another podcast features the Cancer Alliance’s Sarah Grant and therapeutic radiographer Emma Morgan as well as a video from Baz Rodger, Professional and Clinical Lead, Nursing and AHP at West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance.
Note to editors: AHPs provide a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services. They are: art, drama and music therapists; dietitians; occupational therapists; operating department practitioners; orthoptists; osteopaths; paramedics; physiotherapists; podiatrists; prosthetists and orthotists; radiographers; speech and language therapists.
