Allied health professionals: list

Arts therapist

Arts therapists use art, dance, drama and music as a therapeutic intervention to help people with physical, mental, social and emotional difficulties. There are now four arts therapies with the preferred names of: art therapy/art psychotherapists; dance movement psychotherapy; dramatherapy; music therapy.

Diagnostic radiographer

Produces high quality images on film and other recording media, using all kinds of radiation.

Dietitian

Dietitians translate the science of nutrition into practical information about food.  They work with people to promote nutritional wellbeing, prevent food-related problems and treat disease.

Occupational therapist

Occupational Therapists help people to overcome physical, psychological or social problems arising from illness or disability, by concentrating on what they are able to achieve, rather than on their disabilities.

Orthoptist

Orthoptists assess and manage a range of eye problems, mainly those affecting the way the eyes move, such as squint (strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia).

Orthotist

Orthotists provide braces, splints, and special footwear to help patients with movement difficulties and to relieve discomfort.

Paramedic

Paramedics respond to all aspects of urgent and emergency care, ranging from problems such as cardiac arrest, heart attacks, strokes, spinal injuries and major trauma, to minor illnesses and injuries.

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists treat the physical problems caused by accidents, illness and ageing, particularly those that affect the muscles, bones, heart, circulation and lungs.

Podiatrist

Podiatrists, sometimes known as chiropodists, specialise in keeping feet in a healthy condition.  They play a particularly important role in helping older people to stay mobile and, therefore, independent.

Prosthetist

Prosthetists design and fit artificial replacements - or prostheses – for upper and lower limbs. They design and fit the best possible artificial replacements for patients who have lost or were born without a limb. 

Speech and language therapist

Speech and Language Therapists work with people who have problems with communication, including speech defects, or with chewing or swallowing.

Therapeutic radiographer

Treats mainly cancer patients using ionising radiation and, occasionally, drugs. Provide care across the entire spectrum of cancer services.