CAHPR Conference a resounding success

The CAHPR conference “Growing our allied health research community ” on October 9, 2024, was a resounding success, drawing an impressive 603 registrants and maintaining an average attendance of 234 participants per session, This high level of engagement underscored the growing interest in allied health research across the UK. 

The day began with a warm welcome from Professor Dawn Carnes, Chair of the CAHPR Strategy Committee, setting an enthusiastic tone for the proceedings. Corrina Grimes, Director of CAHPR, then presented “Our vision, our future,” offering a glimpse into the organisation’s ambitious plans. This was followed by Juliette Carter’s exciting reveal of the new CAHPR website, providing attendees with a fresh digital resource to support their research endeavours. 

The conference attracted professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, with 16 different professions represented. These included 14 Allied Health Professions, as well as nursing, pharmacy, psychology, and service delivery/management. While attendees hailed from all four UK nations, England dominated with 88% of participants, highlighting an opportunity for increased representation from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in future events. 

A highlight of the morning session was the “Reflections from the Strategy Committee, Trustees, Consortia and Hubs.” This segment featured key CAHPR leaders sharing their insights and visions: 

  • Professor Dawn Carnes, Chair of the CAHPR Strategy Committee, provided an overview of the strategic direction and achievements. 
  • Dr Hazel Roddam, Chair of the CAHPR Board of Trustees, discussed governance and future plans. 
  • Dr Harriet Shannon, Chair of the CAHPR Regional Hub Forum, highlighted the vital role of regional hubs in fostering research. 
  • Professor Ruth Strudwick, Vice Chair of the CAHPR Regional Hub Forum, shared perspectives on hub activities and impact. 

This was followed by an engaging Community Q&A panel session, where attendees had the opportunity to interact directly with CAHPR leads from the Strategy Committee, Trustees, Consortia, and Hubs. This session fostered a sense of community and allowed for valuable exchange of ideas and experiences. 

After a refreshing break, the conference resumed with an exciting presentation on the CAHPR and Royal College of Occupational Therapy’s Accelerator Project 2024, ‘CAP 24’. This innovative initiative was presented by: 

  • Dr Hazel Roddam, Chair of the CAHPR Board of Trustees 
  • Dr Jen Sutton, Project Lead for CAHPR 
  • Dr Gill Ward, Vice Chair of the CAHPR Strategy Committee 

The project aims to accelerate research capacity and capability within allied health professions, highlighting CAHPR’s commitment to advancing the field. 

Professor Kate Grafton, Research Leaders Project Lead for CAHPR, then took the stage to introduce the new Directory of Professors and the establishment of a Research Leaders Network. This initiative promises to foster connections and collaborations within the allied health research community, providing a platform for mentorship and knowledge exchange. 

These carefully curated sessions not only informed and educated but also fostered a sense of community among the diverse group of allied health professionals in attendance. The conference successfully balanced high-level strategic discussions with practical insights, ensuring that every participant, from seasoned researchers to those new to CAHPR, found value in the day’s proceedings. 

The composition of the audience was reflected in the responses to the EDI questionnaire. Of the 143 respondents, 82% were female and 70% were over 40 years old. 30% of respondents described living with a long-term health condition or disability. Under 20% of those completing the questionnaire described themselves to be of Asian, Black or of mixed ethnicity and the numbers of those following the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim or Sikh religion were few. While this demonstrated some diversity, it also revealed areas for improvement in attracting AHPs from under-represented groups, younger AHPs, and professionals from smaller AHP disciplines. 

As the afternoon session began, Dr Lisa Ledger, Assistant Director of AHP at NIHR, took the virtual podium to discuss new NIHR AHP funding and initiatives. Dr Ledger, a champion for allied health research, shared valuable insights on developing research capacity and capability for AHPs. Her presentation sparked excitement among researchers looking to secure support for their projects, highlighting the NIHR’s commitment to increasing research opportunities for allied health professionals. 

 

Following Dr Ledger’s presentation, Dr Alison Austin, Deputy Director of Embedding Research at NHS England, delivered a compelling talk on “Embedding Research in the NHS”. Dr Austin’s expertise in integrating research into healthcare settings provided attendees with practical strategies for enhancing the real-world impact of allied health research. Her insights were particularly valuable for those seeking to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. 

These sessions not only informed and educated but also fostered a sense of community among the diverse group of allied health professionals in attendance. Notably, 41% of the conference attendee respondents were new to CAHPR, indicating the event’s success in reaching fresh audiences. Meanwhile, 37% were already engaged through CAHPR newsletters, demonstrating a strong existing community. The qualitative feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with respondents praising the informative nature of the presentations. Many expressed amazement at the breadth of support and resources offered by CAHPR, particularly highlighting the hub networks and the wealth of information available on the website. 

In a touching finale, CAHPR grant recipients shared personal stories about “What a CAHPR Hub means to me,” bringing to life the tangible impact of the organisation’s support on individual researchers and their work. Corrina Grimes, Director of CAHPR, wrapped up the event with closing remarks, leaving attendees inspired and eager to apply the wealth of knowledge gained throughout the day. 

This carefully curated conference successfully balanced high-level strategic discussions with practical insights, ensuring that every participant, from seasoned researchers to those new to CAHPR, found value in the day’s proceedings. While celebrating its successes, the event also highlighted areas for future growth, particularly in diversifying participation, including across regions and demographics. 

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