Five Mins with…Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) at BCHC
This year, Allied Health Professions (AHPs) Day takes place on Wednesday 14 October 2026. To mark the occasion, throughout the week, we’re shining a spotlight on four BCHC colleagues whose roles show the vital contribution AHPs make to patient care, prevention and healthier communities. From supporting children’s vision to helping people manage diabetes and nutritional needs, they share what their work involves, what they enjoy most and the moments that make them proud.
First up is… Andrew Castle, Head Orthoptist & Service Clinical Manager at our Paediatric Eye Service.
Tell us a little about your role?
I work as a Community Orthoptist in Birmingham Community Healthcare's Paediatric Eye Service, assessing and managing eye conditions in children across South Birmingham. Orthoptists are specialists in diagnosing and treating problems such as squints (strabismus), reduced vision (amblyopia or "lazy eye"), and difficulties with eye movements and binocular vision.
Alongside our clinic work, we deliver the school vision screening programme, assessing thousands of reception-aged children each year. Screening helps identify children who may have reduced vision at an early stage, enabling timely assessment and treatment when it can make the greatest difference.
A typical day involves assessing children in community clinics, monitoring visual development, providing treatment plans, and supporting families to understand their child's eye condition. We work closely with GPs, optometrists, schools and hospital eye services to ensure children receive the care they need.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The most rewarding aspect is seeing the difference early intervention can make. Identifying and treating vision problems in childhood can have a significant impact on a child's development, confidence and ability to learn. I also enjoy building relationships with families and helping them navigate what can sometimes be a worrying time.
What might surprise people about Orthoptics?
Many people have never heard of Orthoptics before attending their first appointment. Orthoptists are one of the Allied Health Professions and are experts in assessing how the eyes work together. We play a key role in detecting and managing childhood vision problems, often helping to improve a child's vision during a critical stage of development.
One thing you'd like colleagues to know?
Good vision is fundamental to a child's learning and development. Through both our community clinics and school vision screening programme, our team is proud to help children access the care they need as early as possible, giving them the best chance to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
"Helping children achieve their best possible vision is at the heart of everything we do."