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The impact of exploring innovative practice
A look at how the first contact practitioner approach is being explored in Dorset to provide an upstream service for children and their families in the area , reducing demand on GPs .
A cross the UK , there has been increasing demand for occupational therapy for children ( RCOT 2023 ). This means there is a greater need to use resources wisely and explore innovative practice .
Primary care has seen a corresponding growth in demand . In response , it is embracing a multidisciplinary approach to early intervention in GP practices , where people often go first for help . An example of this is the first contact practitioner role that started in adult physiotherapy services and has now expanded to other allied health professionals ( AHPs ) working in GP surgeries .
The aim of these roles is for skilled , expert allied health professions clinicians to see patients directly , reducing demand on GPs . The first contact practitioner occupational therapist role and
58 OTnews December 2023