Occupational Therapy News OTnews May 2020 | Page 30

FEATURE REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation services during
– and after – COVID-19
RCOT’s Right to Rehab campaign was launched just before the
COVID-19 pandemic. Now its aims are even more pressing,
writes Andrew Mickel
A
t the end of February, RCOT held
a joint parliamentary event with the
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and
charity Sue Ryder to ask politicians to
ensure that the NHS delivers on patients’ rights to
community rehabilitation.
The world has radically changed since then, but
with it, the aims of the Right to Rehab campaign have
become far more pressing. The campaign partners are
working together to ensure that decision makers know
what needs to change in the fast-moving situation, but
we already know a few key areas that are looking quite
different.
‘There are three big cohorts that we need to look at,’
says RCOT professional adviser Lauren Walker. ‘Some
people recovering from COVID-19, especially those
who have received critical care treatment, will have
lasting needs as a result of the illness. We don’t know
30 OTnews May 2020
the numbers yet, but there could be significant needs
among a substantial cohort.’
‘Then there are those who are having to shield, such
as older people and those with long-term conditions,
who are potentially going to be deconditioned after
being inside for 12 weeks. There will be both physical
and emotional rehabilitation needs after this period of
social isolation.
‘And then there are those people who were having
rehabilitation, but haven’t been receiving it because of
staff redeployment. We knew we needed more funding
for community rehabilitation before COVID-19; now the
need will be even greater.’
Providing rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients
Heads of service now trying to navigate these fast-
changing situations are moving staff across services to
follow the shifting workloads.