Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day 2021

That the Parliament acknowledges Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day 2021, which takes place on 14 October 2021; recognises the invaluable contribution played by AHPs in the Scottish health and care sector, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, podiatrists, prosthetists and orthoptists, among others; notes what it sees as the benefits of a multidisciplinary team to patient care and outcomes, through applying a holistic approach to care, including improving hospital discharge and services within acute care, social care, primary care, housing, education, and mental health settings; believes that the AHP workforce is a valuable resource, helping people to live longer, healthier lives at home; considers the incredible work of AHPs as an asset to the NHS and the people of Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which they went above and beyond the call of duty to care; notes its gratitude to AHPs for this service, and calls on the Scottish Government to look closely at workforce planning for AHPs to ensure this workforce is supported, sustainable and well planned.