NEWS
Cross-party support for RCOT call to prio
RCOT has gathered the support of MPs from across the UK’s
political spectrum in its call for the health secretary to prioritise
rehabilitation for those affected by COVID-19.
RCOT is expecting a ‘tidal wave’ of demand for rehabilitation
services in the near future and has been working closely with
Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for health
and wellbeing, alongside MPs from Labour, the Conservative
party, the SNP and the DUP to make the case for rehabilitation.
RCOT is demanding more investment and action from the
government to help the people who have had COVID-19, those
that have existing rehabilitation needs and the people whose
diagnoses and treatment has been delayed as a result of the
pandemic.
In a cross-party letter to the health secretary, MPs have
asked that:
• people being discharged from hospitals have timely access
to personalised rehabilitation services;
• the needs of those suffering from non-COVID-19 related
conditions will not be compromised as a result of the
increase in COVID-19 rehabilitation needs;
• a strategy is put in place to expand the multidisciplinary
rehabilitation workforce to deliver ongoing rehabilitation in
the long term; and
• action is taken to support the 1.5 million people who have
been asked to self-isolate for the minimum 12-week period,
many of whom will be unable to access rehabilitation conventional
ways and will need new support.
The letter also calls on the government to do more to protect
the safety of occupational therapists, who are frontline allied
health professionals, by ensuring access to personal protective
equipment.
Julia Scott, RCOT chief executive, said: ‘Rehabilitation is the
word of the moment. As the UK gets to grips with the impact of
COVID-19, we expect the demand on rehabilitation services will
grow significantly and the UK will be faced with a tidal wave of
need that the work of occupational therapists, physiotherapists
and other key allied health professions will be at the forefront of
and be uniquely placed to help with.
‘It is fantastic to see parliamentarians from five political parties
coming together to highlight the importance of rehabilitation.
The Royal College is working closely with other professional
bodies and charities on this matter, which just shows the breadth
of support prioritising rehabilitation has in the health and care
agenda.’
Munira Wilson said: ‘For those who are gravely ill with COVID-19,
but are fortunate to recover, a long period of rehabilitation is likely to
be essential. Yet allied health professionals, including occupational
therapists and physiotherapists, are already under massive
pressure and face a mounting backlog of cases – many are deeply
concerned about what lies ahead.
‘That is why we are calling on ministers to make clear what
steps are in place to further shore up this sector, and to recruit
8 OTnews June 2020