Occupational Therapy News OTnews November 2019 | Page 8

NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF
ONE-STOP SHOP LAUNCHED TO
HELP PROMOTE AHP CAREERS
A one-stop shop of materials to promote allied
health professions as a career of choice has
been launched by Health Education England
(HEE). The interactive website pulls together
11 resources to one place, including HEE’s
own career resources, the recent Wow Show
programme explaining AHPs to a schools
audience, and advice for both returners and
the armed forces to join the NHS. Access
the general resources at: www.bit.do/HEE-
AHP-promotion. A separate page of teaching
resources is available at: www.bit.do/HEE-AHP-
teaching.
SCOTLAND’S THIRD NMAHP
CONFERENCE NOW ACCEPTING
ABSTRACTS
Abstracts are now being accepted for Scotland’s
third National Nursing, Midwifery and Allied
Health Professions (NMAHP) Education
Conference. The NHS Education for Scotland
event is seeking submissions from professionals
in any setting, with four themes set out for
the event: transforming roles, learning and
development opportunities, staff recruitment
and retention, and developing a skilled and
confident workforce. Registration for the free
conference will open in January 2020 ahead of
the April event. Send your abstracts by
29 November at: www.bit.do/NMAHP-conf3.
WFOT RESEARCH AWARD OPEN
FOR SUBMISSIONS
The World Federation of Occupational
Therapists’ (WFOT) Thelma Cardwell Foundation
Award for Research has opened for submissions
for 2020. The biannual award is open to WFOT
members who require funding for pilot or small-
scale feasibility projects that address one of
WFOT’s eight international occupational therapy
research priorities, and which have not received
funds from other national or international
organisations. Early career investigators and
research graduate students are welcome to
apply. Apply by 16 January 2020 at:
www.bit.do/WFOT-Cardwell.
8 OTnews November 2019
Organisations come together to endorse
shared vision on healthy ageing
Over 60 organisations have co-signed a consensus statement on the
importance of healthy ageing.
The government is aiming for the whole population to have five extra
years of healthy, independent life by 2035, and to tackle inequalities in
healthy longer lifespans.
Signatories are committed to putting prevention first and ensuring
timely access to services and support; removing barriers and creating
more opportunities for older adults to contribute to society; ensuring good
homes and communities; narrowing inequalities and challenging ageist and
negative language, culture and practices.
The statement, organised by Public Health England and the Centre
for Ageing Better, was signed by major charities including Age UK and
Carers UK, public bodies including NHS England and other relevant bodies
including the Design Council and the National Housing Federation.
RCOT is a member of both the Council for Ageing Well and the Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal Alliance, which are both among the signatories to the
statement.
It is the first time so many organisations have come together to voice
their intention to promote healthy ageing. Public Health England and the
Centre for Ageing Better will be working with signatories to develop and
promote good practice.
Read the statement at: www.bit.do/Healthy-Ageing.
Royal visit to best practice conference in
West Wales
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meeting staff at Hywel Dda UHB in West Wales
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal saw first-hand the work done
by members at Hywel Dda University Health Board in West Wales during
October.
The Princess Royal, who is patron of RCOT, met with staff in Carmarthen
who were sharing best practice at a special conference. That included
professionals who have worked on an admission avoidance scheme,
supported school staff to manage a child’s disability, and helped people
with mental health concerns to return to work.
She also met with occupational therapists who demonstrated various
equipment, techniques and apps that are used with service users.
Speaking at the event, The Princess Royal praised the pragmatism of
occupational therapists and the value of good communication between
teams.