Editor ’ s note
Editor ’ s note
Welcome to OTnews
Last month RCOT launched its first ever Workforce Strategy , which creates a path towards its vision for an expanded occupational therapy workforce – positioned to have maximum impact in improving people ’ s health and quality of life by 2035 .
In this issue , we look at how the strategy was developed and present an easyto-read summary of the vision and four workforce priorities that inform the overall action plan . Turn to pages 16-17 to find out more .
We also look at RCOT ’ s recently announced plans to strengthen its governance . With big ambitions for the professional body and the occupational therapy profession , RCOT ’ s governance needs to be fit for purpose and future-proof . It needs to be effective , so that it is a more responsive , focused and efficient organisation , able to deliver the greatest impact it possibly can . Turn to pages 12-15 , where you can find out more about this work , which is being led by Council .
And if you haven ’ t yet signed up for our 2024 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture , it ’ s not too late . Find out how to register your place on page 11 and turn to pages 18-19 for our Q & A with Professor Katrina Bannigan .
April is a celebration of the environment and sustainability that sees both the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare ’ s Greener AHP Week and Earth Day take place . It ’ s an opportunity for us all to share ideas , celebrate and inspire , and on pages 42-43 , we hear from occupational therapy student Amanda Payne about a small sustainable uniform initiative she has introduced at her university . As she stresses : ‘ Lasting change often starts small ’.
While on pages 44-45 , Catherine Potter looks at the concept of sustainable healthcare education for and by OT students , and shares how her team has been ‘ road testing ’ an occupational therapy version of the Planetary Health Report Card .
In other features , Nia Williams shares how she has developed a nine-week occupational therapy-led hearing voices programme in North Wales ( pages 20-22 ), while Lorna Sankey reflects on her own professional experience and argues that OTs should be part of the workforce in every care home ( pages 32-33 ). And finally , Sophie Koehne , who ’ s helped establish a network for occupational therapists working in homelessness and inclusion health , shares the learning from their first study day on pages 38-40 .
I ’ d love to hear from you
Tracey Samuels Editor
If you have any feedback about this issue of OTnews , or would like to contribute a short article or feature for a future publication , please email me at : editorial @ rcot . co . uk
April 2024 OTnews 3