The winners of the inaugural Allied Health Professional Awards at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) have been confirmed.

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) form the third largest clinical workforce in health and care, with the Trust employing more than 600 AHPs and almost 200 AHP support workers, in addition to a growing number of apprenticeships.

The virtual awards ceremony was organised by Associate Director of AHPs, Dr Sarah Elliott, to celebrate the hard work and commitment of all NCIC AHPs.

The dietetic team was commended for their hard work (Image: Supplied) More than 100 nominations across nine categories were received, making it a challenge for the judging panels to select the winners.

More than 50 AHPs were joined by Chair Steven Morgan, Chief Nurse Jill Foster, and Director of Communication Steve Park to announce the winners.

The nine category winners included an AHP champion, handpicked by Jill Foster from all the nominations.

The winner of the 'Supporting Population Health and Wellbeing' category was Zena Cassels, a paediatric occupational therapist.

Zena Cassels won the 'Supporting Population Health and Wellbeing' category (Image: Supplied) The 'Going the Extra Mile' category was won by the Cockermouth and Maryport AHP team, comprised of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and assistants.

The East Community Respiratory Team received a commendation for starting groups to support respiratory patients and promote integration with local community providers.

Ellie Walker, team lead for Podiatry, won the 'Innovation in Digital Practice' award.

The 'Leading Improvement' category was won by Nicola Martin, clinical lead occupational therapist.

The 'Leading Improvement' category was won by Nicola Martin (Image: Supplied) The Dietetic Team was commended for their efficient work and personal and professional support of staff.

The 'Quality in Action' award went to Nichola Todd, a speech and language therapist.

Nichola Todd won the 'Quality in Action' award (Image: Supplied) The 'Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging' category was won by Rachel Barber, a diabetic foot/podiatry coordinator.

The Prosthetics Team won the 'Greener AHP' award for their efforts to support the repurposing of prosthetic componentry and reduce waste going to landfill.

The 'Supporting Learning and the Future Workforce' category was won by radiographer Jayme McHard.

Iain Quinn, Advanced MSK Practitioner, Clinical Lead East, was commended for willingly sharing his knowledge and skills with his team.

The 'AHP Champion' award was given to orthoptist Naomi Corbin, who regularly provides teaching sessions and welcomes students of all professions to shadow clinics.

Dr Elliott said: "Well done to, not only the winners, but those who were nominated and the wider AHP team who are vital to providing great patient care."