Who are the AHPs? #3

Believe it or not, 2.5 million people in the UK suffer from speech or language difficulties. This can lead to feelings of isolation and educational problems, but with the right help, these issues can be overcome. And that's where speech and language therapists come in. They work with children whose speech is slow to develop, people with a stammer, or the elderly whose ability to speak may be impaired by illness. Speech therapists work in hospitals, community clinics, and patients' homes. If you have excellent communication skills and enjoy helping others, this could be the ideal job for you. Working as a paramedic is not all blue flashing lights and high-speed driving, but it's still a pretty exciting career choice. Paramedics are medical professionals who specialise in emergency response. They have to make quick decisions that can literally mean the difference between life and death. Modern paramedics can be found in a variety of different roles and places, such as GP surgeries, sporting events, or working for search and rescue. You're forgiven if you've never heard of an orthoptist before. Orthoptists diagnose and treat people with issues that affect eye movement and visual development. These can be caused by problems with brain development or brain control of the eyes. Orthoptists help the eyes work together again as a pair. As an orthoptist, you'll usually be part of the hospital eye team, but may work on the wards, in community healthcare, or in schools. But wherever you work, you'll make a real difference to people's lives.