Occupational Therapy News OTnews February 2019_Joomag

ANALYSIS NEWS to a third of patients who currently get admitted will get same-day discharge. RCOT’s action: RCOT has highlighted the role occupational therapy plays in emergency departments in ensuring that people are not conveyed to hospital or are assessed and supported to go home the same day. There is more at www.cotimprovinglives.com. Clinical priorities Priority areas have been selected and include mental health, cancer, stroke and children and young people. Cancer patients will all have personalised care by 2021. The stroke workforce will be modernised and better rehabilitation models will be deployed. Increased mental health funding will be deployed through new models of care. And beyond the priority areas, the level of inpatient provision for people with learning disabilities is due to be halved by 2024. RCOT’s action: RCOT is working with NHS Rightcare, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and other partners to raise the profile of community rehabilitation. Digital projects The NHS had fallen behind technologically, say the authors. Why have a Many of the headlines on digital plans focused on patient rights to digital GP consultations for all, but there are more plans beyond that: all secondary care providers will be fully digitised by 2024, and remote monitoring of conditions will get more common. RCOT’s action: RCOT has recently appointed a professional adviser, Suzy England, to lead on informatics, working with NHS Digital. We will take a closer look at the informatics in the plan in future OTnews. Workforce There is little in the plan about workforce capacity issues – there are over 100,000 vacancies at present – and this will instead be examined in a workforce implementation plan, due out later this year once the government has set the budget for healthcare training and recruitment. But the plans do outline the need to improve leadership. RCOT’s action: a key focus for RCOT at every level of the profession is to ensure occupational therapists are deployed across the health system to empower people to manage their health and wellbeing. There is more at: www.rcot.co.uk/ leadership-and-engagement. stairlift when you can E UNIQU R LOO THRU-F M SYSTE have a real lift? Occupational Therapists recognise stairlifts are not suitable for every client. Many now consider recommending a Stiltz Homelift as a safe and cost-effective alternative. A Stiltz Homelift is available in the wheelchair-accessible 3-person Trio+ model (shown), or the more compact 2-person Duo+ model. Both provide an excellent long-term mobility solution. The Stiltz OT service level promise means our assessment, customer service and installation teams will work with OTs and healthcare professionals to provide exceptional service and support at all times. Our 12-point OT Service Charter promises: • • • • • • • • • • • • Nationwide assessment visits 2 4hr local support, 365 days a year Lift tailored to customer need Wheelchair accessible Requires no major structural work Can be fitted almost anywhere Peace-of-mind safety sensors Fast-track installations offered Unique through-car option 12 month parts and labour cover Extended warranty Costs comparable with other through-floor lifts! N206 Call FREE 0808 291 1433 Get in touch with our customer services team or visit www.stiltz.co.uk OTnews February 2019 13

Occupational Therapy News OTnews February 2019_Joomag | Page 13