Helen McCarthy and Fiona Henderson, Allied Health Professionals at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust celebrated a remarkable achievement at the recent Black Country Integrated Care System Allied Health Professional recognition
event, taking home two prestigious awards.
Helen, a member of the Intensive Support Team (IST) for Mental Health and Autism, was honored with the title of Allied Health Professional (AHP) of the Year. Fiona, who serves in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, received the award for Innovation and Improvement.
Helen, who has worked for the Trust for a number of years, was nominated for her outstanding contributions to the AHP field and her commitment to supporting individuals with neuro diverse needs. After transitioning from learning disability services to the Intensive Support Team in 2022, she has led numerous impactful projects, including the innovative sensory ward initiative. This project has greatly enhanced the experience of neurodiverse individuals accessing mental health and learning disability services by providing essential sensory toolkits and pioneering training programs, such as the sensory bus.
Fiona has made significant strides over the past 18 months as a key player in the Hospital Rooms project. This initiative allowed young people from the Sandwell Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service to transform the waiting area at the Lodge Road site through creative art installations. Fiona took the lead in empowering staff to collaborate with the Hospital Rooms team and the young people, encouraging their creativity and ensuring their voices were heard. Her dedication to the project, alongside her daily responsibilities, was vital to its success.
Tracey Shilvock, Lead Allied Health Professional at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “Helen and Fiona truly embody the essence of being an Allied Health Professional. Their enthusiasm and passion for their work shine through, and they consistently go above and beyond to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. They are invaluable assets to the Trust and their recognition is thoroughly deserved.”
Allied Health Professionals represent the third largest clinical workforce in health and care, playing a crucial role in empowering patients to live their lives to the fullest.