Occupational Therapy News OTNews March 2020 | Page 6

NEWS
MPs back RCOT call for patients to have better access to out-of-hospital rehab
Pictures clockwise from above: former health minister Steve Brine; Virenda Sharma backs the campaign; Siobhan Baillie tries the VR headset; Ian Paisley Jr signs up
MPs are backing RCOT’s calls to improve ongoing care outside of
hospital for people with long-term health conditions.
A hard-hitting new report, published by RCOT, the Chartered
Society of Physiotherapy and Sue Ryder as part of their Right
to Rehab campaign, asks MPs to ensure the NHS delivers on
patients’ right to rehabilitation.
The report warns that failing to provide these services can have
devastating consequences for people’s lives, and brings greater
costs for the NHS and social care systems.
Community rehabilitation provides expert, tailored support for
patients outside of hospital to allow them to continue their recovery
from emergencies such as stroke and heart failure, or to enable
them to manage conditions such as lung disease and arthritis.
Steve Brine, Conservative MP for Winchester and Chandler’s
Ford, said: ‘As a former public health minister, I know that the NHS
does so much good for the people of this country, but I also know
that rehab matters, and this is an area where real improvement is
needed. It is vital that people get the rehabilitation they need, or the
NHS will pay the price in the long term.’
Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Hull West and Hessle and the
shadow education minister, said: ‘The government needs to ensure
that proper funding is provided to our NHS so essential at-home
care for patients can be provided. It is often just as important as the
treatment received in hospital.’
They attended a launch event at parliament alongside the
minister for disabled people Justin Tomlinson, former care minister
Paul Bristow, and MPs Ruth Jones, Elliot Colburn, John Lamont
and Jamie Stone.
At the event they saw a virtual reality film featuring Elizabeth
Printer, who had a debilitating stroke at the age of 46 in 2011. She
lost her career and family as a result of insufficient after-care.
Elizabeth said: ‘The NHS saved my life in an emergency, but
then failed to help me recover any of the life I once had. I had to
teach myself to walk again – I wanted to get well for my daughters,
but there was no support or guidance about how I could do this. I
6 OTnews March 2020
Quote of the month
‘ It is vital that people get the
rehabilitation they need, or the NHS will
pay the price in the long term’
Steve Brine, former health minister
just needed to have the right rehab, treatment, and love and care,
but it was never there.’
The ageing population is increasing the demand for rehabilitation.
Over the next 17 years it is projected that the number of people
aged 65 and above will rise by more than 40 per cent, to over 16
million.
The savings offered by effective community rehabilitation are
substantial. If just 65 per cent of the people eligible for cardiac
rehabilitation received it, the NHS would save £30 million per year.
Karin Orman, RCOT’s assistant director – professional practice,
said: ‘We need a national approach that structures rehabilitation
around people, allowing them to fully participate in life and keeping
them connected with family, friends and their community.
‘Having so many national organisations coming together to
highlight the value of rehabilitation is an important first step. We now
need a commitment from the relevant government departments,
commissioners and providers to ensure rehabilitation is available for
everyone who needs it.’
The campaign is being backed by 24 organisations including
the British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support and
Age UK. The launch of the campaign also attracted media
coverage including the Guardian, ITV.com, and through the Press
Association.
Right to Rehab is a UK-wide initiative. In addition to the launch
in England, RCOT is working with partner organisations in Scotland
and Wales to establish campaign priorities and next steps.
Read the report at: www.righttorehab.org.