Birmingham and Solihull Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Faculty facilitates system wide working for all AHPs within BSol ICS by providing collaborative opportunities with a focus on supply, education and training to secure the current pipeline and future growth of the AHP workforce.
The Faculty is made up of representatives from all AHP professions and organisations within BSol, including local HEIs and Local Authorities. The group is guided by the Chief AHP Group (Council) which provides direction to the Faculty work, aligned with the ICS priorities. There are specific workstreams which reflect the system wide priorities currently: Apprenticeships, Practice Placements expansion, Preceptorships, Career Pathways, Equality Diversity Inclusion and Belonging, and Support Workforce development.
AHPs within BSol include art therapists, drama therapists, music therapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, osteopaths, paramedics, physiotherapists, podiatrists, prosthetists and orthotists, radiographers and speech and language therapists.
All AHPs are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
You can contact the BSol AHP System Leadership Group and Chief AHPs Group with any questions here: Bchc.bcolahps@nhs.net
A word from the faculty chair
Sharon Hardwick, a registered Paramedic, is the Co-chair of the Birmingham and Solihull (BSol) AHP Faculty. An Associate Professor and Professional Academic Lead at Birmingham City University, Sharon brings extensive experience across clinical practice, education, and workforce development.
The BSol AHP Faculty is the ‘engine room’ of the BSol AHP Council, driving collaboration across health, social care, and education. Under Sharon’s leadership, the Faculty supports system-wide programmes that promote sustainable AHP workforce growth and development—aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan and People Plan.
Sharon is a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and partnership working. She plays a key role in connecting education and practice, ensuring AHPs are equipped to meet the needs of a changing health and care landscape. Her vision and expertise continue to position the Faculty as a driving force for innovation and transformation across Birmingham and Solihull.
“The strength of the Allied Health Professions lies in our diversity, adaptability, and unwavering focus on person-centred care. As a collective, AHPs bring a rich blend of expertise that spans prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation, and recovery - supporting people at every stage of life. What makes us unique is our ability to work across boundaries, lead innovation, and respond to the evolving needs of our communities. We are proud to champion such a dynamic and skilled workforce that is central to the future of integrated, high-quality care."
Srihari (Hari) Tippa is a chartered physiotherapist and Advanced Clinical Practitioner working in the Urgent Community Response team at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. He co-chairs the Birmingham and Solihull (BSol) AHP Faculty, the collaborative engine behind the BSol AHP Council, uniting health, social care, education, and voluntary sectors to grow and develop the AHP workforce.
With over two decades of NHS experience and a clinical background from India, Hari brings expertise across all four pillars of practice: clinical care, education, leadership, and research. He previously served as a Leadership Fellow for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging with NHS England Midlands and currently chairs the Midlands AHP Ethnic Minority Network.
A passionate advocate for inclusive, equitable, and collaborative working, Hari plays a pivotal role in connecting education with frontline practice. His leadership continues to drive system-wide innovation and transformation across Birmingham and Solihull—shaping a future-ready, diverse AHP workforce.
To contact the Faculty, please email BSolEducationCollaborative@bcu.ac.uk