October 14th is International Allied Health Professions Day across the world. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the allied health workforce across BC for the valuable contributions to the health care system they provide.
Did You Know?
- More than 70 allied health disciplines provide vital health services to British Columbians.
- Since 2018, October 14th has been celebrated as International Allied Health Professions Day to recognize the significant impacts and contributions of the collective allied health workforce around the world.
- In BC, the allied health workforce includes approximately 75,000 individuals in more than 70 disciplines in BC, working in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
- The allied health workforce plays an integral part in publicly funded health care in BC and we would like to acknowledge their critical role in our health care system and thank them for their tireless efforts to keep British Columbians healthy.
A message from the Allied Health Policy Secretariat.
Dear Allied Health Colleagues,
Since 2018, October 14 has been celebrated as International Allied Health Professions Day, to appreciate and recognize the significant impacts and contributions of the collective allied health workforce around the world. This day of recognition originated in the United Kingdom but is now celebrated in several other countries including Australia and New Zealand. This year, the Allied Health Policy Secretariat will recognize and celebrate October 14, 2022 as Allied Health Professionals Day.
In B.C., the allied health workforce includes more than 70 disciplines and approximately 75,000 individuals providing a range of preventative, diagnostic, technical, and therapeutic health care and clinical support services across the lifespan and care continuum. They contribute specialized expertise, education, research and leadership, often working as integral members of a collaborative health care team to improve the health and wellbeing of British Columbians. Despite the overwhelming challenges, stressors, and resource constraints, members of the allied health workforce at all levels have shown ongoing commitment to providing safe, high quality health care.
As you may be aware, between May and July 2021, the Allied Health Policy Secretariat at the Ministry of Health completed a comprehensive provincial allied health consultation to gather feedback on the state of allied health in BC. The information that we gathered is currently being used to inform a 3-year Allied Health Strategic Plan that will drive the mission, vision, philosophy and direction of allied health in BC. We appreciate all the thoughts and feedback we received. One of the key pieces of feedback we heard was a need to strengthen the recognition of the allied health workforce.
This year B.C. is joining health care systems around the world by acknowledging and celebrating B.C.’s allied health workforce as we take steps towards raising awareness and recognition of they key roles you all play in meeting patient and population health care needs.
Thank you for your courage and tireless efforts to provide vital health services to keep British Columbians healthy.
Sincerely,
Lorrie Cramb
A/ Executive Director
Allied Health Policy Secretariat
Co-Chair, Provincial Nursing and Allied Health Council
In addition to this thoughtful message, which you can download here, the AHPS has provided an informative one-pager, which you can access here. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to Allied.Health@gov.bc.ca.