Osteopathy – An Allied Health Profession

In 2017 Osteopaths joined the group of NHS health practitioners known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). Osteopathy is now listed on the NHS Careers website which promotes NHS jobs for AHPs, reflecting the growing reputation of osteopaths across the NHS.

The Institute of Osteopathy (iO), the professional membership organisation for osteopaths in the UK, led this development by providing information about osteopathic careers, including information on pay and conditions, taken from the iO Census.

Osteopathy is now one of 14 Allied Health Professions. AHPs are a diverse group of autonomous practitioners with their own regulating bodies, who deliver care across a range of settings.

This is a significant development that enables wider professional engagement and provides you with further opportunities to work as an osteopath within the NHS as well as in other professions.

“A career in the allied health professions makes you highly employable, allows you to help people every day and gives you the flexibility to live and work anywhere.”
NHS Health Careers website

What Is Allied Healthcare?

Whilst much of the medical profession is focused on diagnosing and curing illness, the allied healthcare profession was established to support those with health issues affecting their day-to-day quality of life.

Often working in partnership with doctors and nurses, AHPs have important roles to play in the ongoing recovery of patients. For example, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Prosthetists support patients in their physical rehabilitation, usually following trauma or injury. Similarly, Occupational Therapists, Dietitians and Speech and Language Therapists work with patients to overcome barriers that affect their day-to-day living.

The allied healthcare community plays a vital role within the NHS, providing support and assisting patients, particularly outpatients, in finding ways to manage their conditions and aid their recovery. Furthermore, allied healthcare, though often perceived as aftercare, is also a preventative medical practice as strengthening both mental and physical wellbeing in patients can reduce the need for further medical intervention.

Find out more about our Master of Osteopathy degree

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) Osteopathy degree

Further reading:

NHS Careers
The Institute of Osteopathy 
Alternative courses to Physiotherapy.