Occupational Therapy News OTNews March 2020 | Page 48

‘‘ AWARDS ‘I work in the community neurological Vanessa says: ‘It’s a great opportunity to discharge team that sits within the wider learn and develop your skills and exciting ...the main driver Community Neurological Rehabilitation to network with other clinicians for me applying [for the Service in Leeds. It was developed and researchers. It prompted award] was the flexibility of collaboratively by the community and me to reflect on new ideas and its scope… as it was my acute NHS trusts in Leeds, with the aim opportunities that I would not to provide access to timely occupational otherwise have considered.’ intention to run a programme therapy intervention and help facilitate safe While Sarah says her award has of patient and public and earlier hospital discharges for people been ‘instrumental’ in allowing workshops to determine with traumatic brain injuries,’ she says.. her ‘to extend and sustain an priorities for returning to ‘The award will fund backfill for some of already well-established innovative my clinical time, so that I can conduct the project’. work, the award project and minimise any detrimental impact on But the last word goes to Victoria, was ideal... the clinical time offered to our patients.’ who reflects: ‘I found the application She adds: ‘This literature review will form part of process for the award beneficial in itself, a comprehensive body of evidence due to be presented to as it helped me to focus my ideas and develop a commissioners in 2020, to support development and expansion of realistic timeframe for my project. the service in terms of staff numbers, skill mix and resources. ‘I feel it is vital for occupational therapists to increase ‘The findings of the literature review will also contribute to our profile in research and demonstrate our commitment to a larger piece of work reviewing the whole neurorehabilitation evidence-based practice.’ pathway across Leeds.’ Unfortunately, no awards were made in the Institute of All the recipients agree that they would urge other members Social Psychiatry Award or the RCOT Student Award for to consider applying for an award when the next round opens in Entrepreneurship categories this year. The final outcome of the August this year. 2019 awards round is set out in the table on page 47. 2020 RCOT MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RCOT BOARD: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is seeking to recruit a member who wants to contribute to their profession and make a difference. A vacancy exists in the RCOT Board: Research and Development 2020 APPLICATIONS FROM ACROSS THE UK WELCOMED ■ The Board meets three times a year in London and all reasonable travel expenses for Board related activities are reimbursed by RCOT. ■ Board membership provides an opportunity to further develop your strategic leadership skills. ■ The Board supports the delivery of the Education and Research Core Business Plan and RCOT’s Annual Work Plan in related areas, and each business year contributes to 2-3 specific areas of work from these. ■ The term of office is 3 years commencing June 2020. As a member of the RCOT Board: Research and Development, your strategic role will be to: ■ support the delivery of the RCOT Research and Development Strategy (2019-2024), ■ encourage the identification, development and uptake of research career pathways by occupational therapists, and ■ help to identify gaps in research evidence relevant to the profession, together with associated funding opportunities. This is an exciting time for the board as we move into implementing and supporting members to engage with the new RCOT Research & Development Strategy 2019-24 and progress various work streams associated with this, including the forthcoming research priorities for the profession. Make a difference and apply! Application deadline: Monday, 6 April 2020 at 13:00 Contact the Research and Development Board secretary to request an application pack or to arrange an informal discussion about the role: [email protected] Applicants with disabilities are also supported. The RCOT Board: Research and Development welcomes applications from members working in practice, particularly Social Care and Independent Practice. There is one vacancy on this Board. N218 48 OTnews March 2020