Physiotherapist Zoe Oram has said she is ‘delighted’ to have been shortlisted for a national allied health professions (AHPs) award.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Zoe said: ‘It’s a privilege to provide leadership in this space.’ Zoe, who graduated in physiotherapy from the University of Southampton in 2004, is currently an AHP education lead at University Hospital Southampton.
She is one of four physiotherapists – two of whom have been nominated jointly – to be shortlisted in the category titled ‘AHP Leadership for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’. The category is one of nine featured in the CAHPO Awards 2025, with the winners of each category scheduled to be named at an online event next month.
A short statement about Zoe’s nomination states: ‘Through courage, compassion and action, Zoe is changing lives – creating safe, inclusive spaces where internationally educated AHPs feel seen, supported and empowered to thrive within the NHS.’
The category is sponsored by the NHS Race and Health Observatory. Details of the shortlisted candidates were announced on X by Suzanne Rastrick (pictured above), chief AHP officer for England, on 19 August.
Another shortlisted contender in the category with a background in physiotherapy is Naomi McVey, who is the regional head of AHPs and national programme lead, AHP workforce at NHS England.
Her statement describes her as an ‘inspirational and inclusive leader who demonstrates anti-racism and anti-discrimination thought co-production and meaningful actions’. It adds: ‘This leader has empowered members to make changes within provider organisation sand regionally.’
The two physiotherapists who have been shortlisted together are Anna Coldwell and Beverley Sinden, who both work as major trauma rehab physios at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.
Their statement reads: ‘Driven by dedication, perseverance and a deep commitment to equality and high-quality patient care, Anna and Beverley consistently champion the needs of vulnerable patients affected by social inequality, striving to deliver personalised care and promote social justice.’
Making an impact through research
Elsewhere, Jonathan Hill, a clinical academic physiotherapist at Keele University, is one of three candidates shortlisted in the category titled ‘Research Impact’. This category is awarded by the Council for AHPs Research and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Professor Hill’s statement notes that his work ‘exemplifies research excellence and impact in [the] AHPs’.
During his career, Professor Hill – who also leads Keele’s musculoskeletal (MSK) digital health research group – has demonstrated ‘sustained and transformative influence across digital innovation, clinical practice, leadership and capacity-building’,it notes. His approach has been ‘fully aligned with the AHP Strategy for England 2022 to 2027′, the statement concludes.
Zoe Oram is an ‘inspirational and inclusive leader who demonstrates anti-racism and anti-discrimination thought co-production and meaningful actions’
Another entry that has been shortlisted in the research impact category is the Opt-In [OsteoPorosis Tailored exercise adherence Intervention] trial team, which is based at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Team members include Professor of Physiotherapy Karen Barker and research physiotherapists Jon Room and Tamsin Hughes.
The Opt-In statement notes: ‘The OPTIN trial assessed the effect of adherence support plus exercises compared to usual care showing significantly better outcomes and cost effectiveness. This has important implications for other conditions where exercise is prescribed.’
Physiotherapist Faye Dickinson, a cancer rehabilitation ambassador based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation NHS Trust in London, features in the list of shortlisted candidates for the ‘AHP Workforce Transformation Award’. This is awarded by NHS England.
Faye’s statement is as follows: ‘A collaborative education programme enhancing AHP capability, confidence and knowledge in cancer rehabilitation through structured webinars, case-based discussions, and networking – improving access and quality of care for patients.’
Creative placements award
Meanwhile, three of the five entrants shortlisted in the ‘Creative Provision of Placements Award’ category – which is awarded by the Council of Deans of Health – have strong physiotherapy links. They are
- Oxford Brookes Student Physiotherapy Clinic: Enhancing Health, Training and Community
- iMSK Student Academy, MSK Physiotherapists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
- University of Bradford physiotherapy team, physiotherapy team lecturers, University of Bradford
The main categories are as follows
- Creative Provision of Placements Award
- AHP Public Health Award
- AHP Digital Practice Award
- AHP Workforce Transformation Award
- AHP Innovation and Improvement Award
- AHP Research Impact Award
- Greener AHP Award
- AHP Leadership for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award
Finally, the CAHPO Award 2025 will be awarded by Suzanne Rastrick. This award recognises the individual’s ‘outstanding contribution’ and they will become the overall ‘AHP of the Year’. The winner will be chosen from the winners of each category listed above.
The winners will be announced during the chief AHP officer’s AHPs Day live address on 14 October at 9.30am.
For more information, visit: X: @SuzanneRastrick or
NHS England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/chief-allied-health-professions-officer-awards/
