Occupational Therapy News OTnews November 2019 | Page 54

FEATURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT that every £1 invested returns over £5 in wider health and social value through people needing to use services and medication less. Overall it equates to an estimated £1.3 million total savings in health and social care for every 1,000 participants who undertake ESCAPE-pain. Many pre-registration occupational therapy education programmes include modules in entrepreneurship and innovation to support development of a flexible workforce that is able to embrace research and innovation and respond to changes in service delivery and demands of public health, health and care services. Historically, the occupational therapy professional has shown a tenacity in sometimes challenging circumstances to adjust and adapt to societal changes to develop new ways of working, new services and new products to help people overcome difficulties with their daily occupations. Innovation is therefore not a new concept for the profession. By engaging with the AHSNs there is an opportunity for OTs to spread their local innovation at pace and scale – improving health and To connect with your local AHSN visit www.ahsnnetwork.com or get in touch at [email protected]. Also visit the website for more about the AHSN Network’s current portfolio of national programmes. For examples of the thousands of local innovations spread with AHSN support, visit the online case study database, the AHSN Atlas of Solutions in Healthcare. Learn more about how the AHSN ‘Innovation Exchange’ process is supporting innovators to understand NHS challenges and access the help they need to spread their great solutions. For more on the AHSNs’ positive impacts to the quality of care, view the 2018/19 Impact Report and read the latest Innovators magazine. The AHSNs are partners in the Accelerated Access Collaborative, the umbrella body across the UK health innovation system, providing more joined up support for innovators and setting the strategy for innovation in the health system – getting new interventions to patients faster. The AHSNs also host Patient Safety Collaboratives (PSCs). generating economic growth across the country. Commissioned by NHS Improvement, the PSCs are the biggest patient safety initiative in the history of the NHS. Find out more at ahsnnetwork.com. Find out more about the AHSNs The AHSNs are keen hear from healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, that are committed to supporting the identification and spread of health innovation. Chris Taylor, assistant co-ordination director, AHSN Network, and Dr Gillian Ward, RCOT research and development manager SAVE THE DATE Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture Tuesday 21 April 2020, from 6pm Kings Place, London FREE FOR MEMBERS TO ATTEND ALSO STREAMED ONLINE Enjoy our prestigious annual lecture and the opportunity to connect with fellow occupational therapists. We’re delighted that the 2020 lecturer is Dr Jennifer Preston MBE, Consultant Occupational Therapist and Clinical Lead for the Neurological Rehabilitation Service at NHS Ayrshire and Arran and Grampian Health Board. Tickets available from Monday 2 December. Priority booking for members. More information coming soon. rcot.co.uk N214 Casson Lecture HalfPageOTnews D4.indd 1 54 OTnews November 2019 04/11/2019 11:31