Editor ’ s note
Editor ’ s note
Welcome to OTnews
Welcome to the first issue of 2025 ! We kick off the year with a Q & A with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists , to find out more about the development and launch of its Global Strategy for the Occupational Therapy Workforce , published late last year .
Aligned closely with RCOT ’ s own Workforce Strategy , which addresses the specific needs of the OT profession in the UK , WFOT is collaborating with member organisations and partners to address the growing need for occupational therapy .
It ’ s hoped that the OT community ’ s combined efforts result in an integrated and strategic approach to effectively strengthen the occupational therapy workforce worldwide . Turn to pages 16-19 to find out more .
Service improvement features prominently this month , with Davinder Kaur , Clarissa Sørlie and Will Diaz explaining how Quality Improvement methodology is helping to reducing waiting lists for community therapies on pages 30-31 .
While on pages 50-53 , Jessica Robson and Mikaela Williams explain how the Ayrshire and Arran Improvement Foundation Skills ( AAIFS ) Programme has highlighted the importance of looking at an area of practice holistically , and how making small , targeted change can have a big impact .
In our cover story , we hear from occupational therapist Amanda Lawes , who talks about introducing Family Integrated Care within the Singleton Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and her work to provide positive touch and skin to skin care for babies most in need ( pages 23-25 ).
Penny Weekes looks at occupational therapy ’ s role in working with young people and their families following acquired brain injury , as one part of the variety of opportunities available through an adventure therapy charity , on pages 20-22 .
We also hear from Erin Hardy , who gives a reflective account of the pros , cons and the potentials of Dementia Care Mapping in occupational therapy practice ( pages 42-44 ).
Finally , having just celebrated Disability History Month , January seems like a perfect time to reflect on two inspiring personal journeys to becoming an occupational therapist .
Cate Chapman talks about her own disability and how OT intervention got her ‘ back to being herself ’, as well as being the catalyst to joining the profession ( pages 32-33 ). And Fungai Bvumbwe reflects on being diagnosed with a brain tumour during her studies and the road to graduation with a first-class honours degree , ‘ against all the odds ’.
Cover image : © Globalmoments via Getty Images
I ’ d love to hear from you
If you have any feedback about this issue of OTnews , or would like to contribute a short article or feature for a future publication , please email me at : editorial @ rcot . co . uk
Tracey Samuels Editor
January 2025 OTnews 3