Occupational Therapy News OTnews April 2019 | Page 11

NEWS
AHP research champions get to work
Three occupational therapists have got to work as AHP research
champions under a new scheme launched by the National Institute
for Health Research and the Council for Allied Health Professions
Research (CAHPR).
Dr Jennifer Wenborn is the champion for the North Thames
region, Alison McCracken is the champion for the North West Coast
and Sandi Derham splits the West of England role with a speech and
language therapist.
Each region’s champion is charged with developing local and
national AHP research networks and engagement, but how each
champion will use the one day a month allocated to the role is up to
them.
It is early days in planning how to do the work, but Jennifer is
working closely with the other two London research champions
to cover the city. The London research champions are starting by
scope what is already happening, building up networks, and are
provisionally considering an event for later in the year.
Says Jennifer: ‘This is a great opportunity to raise the profile and
thereby, potential impact of AHP research activity across the NHS.’
Alison in the North West Coast region is building on her
experience as a clinical research occupational therapist to look at
building connections between others. She said: ‘Part of what our
role involves highlighting the research that AHPs are already involved
in and showcasing that, and then trying to encourage and promote
others to get involved in various different ways, and acting as a
person to build networks within the region. Within the region here
we’re working to build links between clinicians and academics and
universities, especially those with dual roles to create peer support
and networks.’
Sandi in the West of England is also at the planning stage, and
is looking at the potential for developing a film with the local CAHPR
hub to showcase people who have built an academic career.
She says one of the key things is working out what is particular to
her region.
‘Clinical academic careers is one aspect, but we will also be
focusing on celebrating the local networks and starting small. Dipping
your toe in the water doesn’t have to mean jumping into that big wide
ocean of clinical academic careers – it can be more personalised to
you.
‘We need to start small and start local, forging those links to begin
with and getting them to network locally,’ she says.
Dr Gillian Ward, RCOT research and development manager, said:
‘RCOT met with the research champions earlier this year as we are
really keen to support them to help expand the engagement of allied
health professionals with the research agenda. We recommend that
members who want to get more engaged with research get in touch
with their local research champion and get in touch to see what is
happening in their region.’
Members can find their local champion at: www.sites.google.com/
nihr.ac.uk/nihrahpsinresearch.
Plans develop for RCOT perinatal clinical forum
A new clinical forum for perinatal occupational therapists
is being developed by RCOT as part of the Specialist
Section – Mental Health.
‘People in the informal network have done great work to get
things going and it will be good to formalise this. It’s time to be
recognised as a new, emerging area of clinical specialism and
Perinatal mental healthcare provides support to mothers
we’re really ready to become a clinical forum with the specialist
throughout pregnancy and to one year post-natally, when section. It’s an under-researched area for occupational therapy
they are at high risk of developing a serious mental illness or even though it is so relevant in the perinatal period, but it feels
exacerbating existing conditions. like its time has come.’
The new clinical forum will
Dr Sally Payne, RCOT professional adviser
build on existing work to
on children, young people and families,
informally network the
said: ‘We were delighted to welcome
fast-growing number of over 55 people to our networking day for
occupational therapists occupational therapists working in perinatal
working in the field.
mental health in March. This is growing area of
Erzsébet Pék, clinical
practice for occupational therapy with significant
lead occupational therapist
investment in perinatal mental health in England
in Hertfordshire’s community
perinatal team, said: ‘As
occupational therapists, we’re working
leading to an increase in new occupational therapy
© GettyImages/RaStudio
posts.
‘With similar investments likely in Scotland and Wales, this
with women to develop skills in their own self-care and mental presents exciting opportunities for our profession. As a result of
health in the context of bringing a new baby into the world. It’s the networking event we have agreed to establish a new clinical
a very broad piece of work as they learn new skills, transition to forum as part of our Specialist Section – Mental Health, which
motherhood, manage responsibilities and new obligations, and we hope to launch later on this year.’
look after themselves and remain well.
For more information, email: [e-mail].
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