NEWS
Politicians and decision makers see the profession in action
RCOT is calling on members to get key decision makers into their services, after several visits to meet with occupational therapists all over the UK.
Karin Orman, RCOT lead professional adviser, says:‘ Decision makers and politicians often want to see for themselves the difference that occupational therapists makes on the ground when we tell them about how important they are to services in health, social care and beyond.
‘ We are urging all of RCOT’ s members to draw on our recent reports demonstrating the value of our services and invite your local representatives to a visit. It can help win you an important local ally in safeguarding and promoting services, plus it’ s a great way to get your bosses engaged with your work – and Occupational Therapy Week is the perfect time to invite them down.’
Sir Keith Pearson, the chair of Health Education England, visited the urgent care therapy team at Barnsley Hospital Foundation Trust, after the service featuring in RCOT’ s Improving Lives, Saving Money report. The team explained how their sevenday service in accident and emergency and short-stay hospital wards helped to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions by discharging 65 per cent of the patients they saw, saving the trust an estimated £ 3 million a year.
A patient who had been seen by the team also joined the visit, and praised the team’ s professionalism and strong communication skills as‘ a true equality approach’, helping to sort equipment and manage her expectations on her recovery after a fall.
It was the first allied health professions service that Sir Pearson has visited, and he discussed the possibilities of the team training up as advanced clinical practitioners in future. Management at the trust also came down to meet with the team during the visit. To read more on the Barnsley service, visit www. cotimprovinglives. com.
Jackie Doyle-Price, the minister for mental health and MP for Thurrock in Essex, visited the team at Thurrock Community Hospital. She spoke with the team about joint working across mental health, social care and health services.
Ms Doyle-Price said:‘ It was pleasure to spend time with the full range of health professionals at Thurrock Community Hospital. Health services and local councils need to get better at tackling all the needs of their patients, not just those immediately before them. I am delighted to see such collaboration across services and a real emphasis on putting the patient’ s needs first.’
Dawn Bowden, AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, met with Cwm Taf University Health Board occupational therapists to discuss the shift in resources from the hospital to the community. The team have worked on the Stay Well at Home scheme and early supported discharge.
Dai Davies, RCOT policy officer for Wales, said:‘ This visit followed our report on how occupational therapists can make a difference, and as a member of the Assembly’ s health committee it was great to show Dawn how important occupational therapists are, especially around discharge. She went on to ask a question in the Assembly about occupational therapy, so the benefits have continued long after the visit.’
Pam Cameron, MLA South Antrim, and Paula Bradley, MLA Belfast North, and the previous chair of the Health Committee prior to the collapse of Stormont, met with Northern Trust mental health staff at the Holywell Hospital in Antrim. It was the first RCOT-organised visit by MLAs, prompted by the Getting My Life Back report on mental health services.
The MLAs discussed the condition management programme, chronic fatigue and pain services, and mental health services, with occupational therapists, the director of mental health and service users, and said the visit helped them understand the occupational therapy role better.
Northern Ireland: Pam Cameron and Paula Bradley learn more about Northern Trust services
England: Keith Pearson meets the team in Barnsley
Wales: Dawn Bowden visits Cwm Taf OTs England: Jackie Doyle-Price visits services in Thurrock
12 OTnews October 2018