Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2019 | Page 21

AWARDS FEATURE
MERIT AWARDS
Merit Awards were introduced in 2008 to recognise excellence in the RCOT membership.
This year, two members were given merit awards.
ANITA COOPER: driving apprenticeships and developing the workforce
Clinical lead – therapists and rehabilitation at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
This year saw the first occupational therapy degree-level apprenticeships get underway, and Anita has
been pivotal in their introduction. She saw the opportunity available through apprenticeships to develop
a new route into occupational therapy and physiotherapy that would open opportunities not only to
existing support workers, but also to those from less traditional academic backgrounds. Together with
local stakeholders, she formed a national trailblazer group, mapped the apprenticeships to professional
standards and ensured that, at the end of 2018, the standards and end point assessments of both programmes were approved
for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
She has also been part of the steering group that reviewed the Rehabilitation Medicine Service, which had been running
an expanded Community Outreach Team Service from four locations across Lincolnshire. The expansion aimed to provide an
equitable service across the county, minimise hospital admissions and ensure patients received a timely discharge back to their
homes from the rehabilitation unit.
Anita said: ‘It is quite overwhelming to be recognised by our profession and receive this award. It was a wonderful celebration of
some amazing occupational therapists and I am truly proud to have been part of it.’
LINDA GIBSON: pioneering digital support and leading change in stroke care
Senior occupational therapist, Edinburgh Community Rehabilitation and Support Services
Linda’s multifaceted career involves leadership in stroke care, working with other services to deliver
the best possible outcomes for service users, including finding digital solutions that can make a real
difference.
She helped create and run the Edinburgh Community Stroke Service (ECSS), a multidisciplinary
service for stroke-specific rehabilitation and support within the community based on individual
rehabilitation needs and goals. Most recently, she helped support innovation in community rehabilitation, and collaborated
with Blackwood Housing Association to install a full ‘smart home’ in the community centre, open to anyone looking to try new
technologies. She also established what is believed to be the first digital technology occupational therapy post, helping those with
degenerative conditions and delivering training and support to other occupational therapists in Edinburgh.
She has also been involved in developing training resources, co-authoring the Stroke Training and Awareness Resources
(STARS) Introduction to Physical Rehabilitation Modules.
Linda said: ‘I would like to thank RCOT for organising the award ceremony and of course my colleagues who nominated me. 
 ‘It was an absolute honour and privilege to be part of this special occasion. It was very inspirational to hear everyone’s stories
of achievement. If any occupational therapist is considering nominating a colleague for a future award then I would encourage
them to do so. Being part of this was day was very special indeed.’
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