Occupational Therapy News OTnews January 2019 | Page 10

NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF SUPPORT FOR NEWLY- QUALIFIED SOCIAL CARE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS TO BE BOLSTERED RCOT is working with Skills for Care to gather best practice examples of support for early career occupational therapists in social care across the whole of the UK. The examples will help in the development of new guidance that will be launched later this year to support newly-qualified staff in future. A virtual advisory group is being set up so that members can inform the new document’s development. Email [email protected] to join the group. RESEARCH REVIEW ON ASSISTIVE TECH FOR OLDER PEOPLE LAUNCHED A new research review on the use of assistive technology for older people has been launched by the National Institute for Health Research. The review looks at uses for technology and remote monitoring for older people at home, home design, and the problems facing installation and ongoing support for telecare systems. The review also identified a need for more research on how everyday technology, such as virtual assistants, could be of help, and for bespoke technology for carers. The review is available at: www. bit.ly/2zQo80U. £400,000 FOR WAYS TO ATTRACT NEW HEALTHCARE STUDENTS The Office for Students is inviting funding bids for up to £50,000 to find new ways to attract nursing, midwifery and AHP students. The £400,000 fund is open to existing higher education providers in England, or to new providers if their projects meet the criteria. Proposals can focus on occupational therapy, or on interdisciplinary issues like recruitment and retention. There were no occupational therapy- specific projects in a previous round of funding in 2017, and RCOT is encouraging providers to put them forward now. Applications are accepted until 25 April, and more information is available at www.bit. ly/2UFD8rd. 10 OTnews January 2019 UPDATED PGD AND MEDICINES MATTERS GUIDES PUBLISHED RCOT’s guide to using patient group directions (PGDs) and the NHS’s guide to medicines mechanisms in England, Medicines Matters, have both been updated. RCOT’s guide has been updated to include details on the legal mechanisms available for the prescribing, supply and administration of medicines. The updated RCOT guide is available at www.bit.ly/2zYzUpZ and the NHS guide is available at www.bit.ly/2UGUCnd. RCOT is continuing to gather information on members working with, developing or considering using PGDs in their service. To submit examples or for further detail, email paul. cooper@rcot. co.uk. RCOT Supplier Directory Now available on the RCOT website. Identify products and services that will help you meet the needs of your service users wherever you are. Bookmark the Supplier Directory for quick and easy access. www.rcot.co.uk/supplier-directory Royal College of Occupational Therapists The professional body for occupational therapy staff The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is a registered charity in England and Wales (No.275119) and in Scotland (No.SCO39573). N206