News
Wales sees a 10 % expansion in training places for occupational therapists
On 18 January , Eluned Morgan , Minister for Health and Social Services , announced that occupational therapy training places would expand for 2023 / 24 by 10 %, up from 179 to 197 .
In a written statement , Ms Morgan said : ‘ Despite the challenges we face today , we continue to invest in the education and training of healthcare professionals in Wales . There is great demand on our NHS in Wales and the continued necessity to increase the training numbers and funding for essential health professionals in 2023 / 24 .
‘ This is why , for the ninth consecutive year , funding to support health professional education and training in Wales will increase .’
The statement outlined that £ 281.98 million will be invested in 2023 / 24 , which equates to an 8 % increase from 2022 / 23 . ‘ This will continue to be a record level of funding to support the highest ever number of training opportunities in Wales ,’ the Minister added .
‘ A well-trained NHS workforce with the right skills is essential to providing a sustainable highquality care to people across Wales and improving standards in our health service ,’ Ms Morgan went on .
‘ I am proud of this government ’ s record on investing in education and training to support and sustain the health workforce across Wales . The NHS has more people working in it than at any time in its history , all aimed at prevention and care for members of society , across every community in Wales .
‘ The Welsh Government remains committed to providing the NHS with the workforce it needs and these additional training places will increase the capacity of the workforce to help the NHS respond to the challenges facing it in the future .’
Dai Davies , RCOT Professional Practice Lead Wales , commented : ‘ It ’ s great that health and social care leaders are requesting more occupational therapists are trained to meet the needs of the Welsh population and service delivery demands .
‘ Recruitment and retention are more complex than numbers , and RCOT continues to influence across all sectors to ensure we appropriately train and support our members .’
RCOT pleased to see rehabilitation valued as an essential service
RCOT has welcomed the announcement on 9 January from the UK Government ( see page 7 ) as a positive step towards recognising the value of rehabilitation and its important role in hospital discharge .
The additional funding into rehabilitation services in England , such as those in Leeds , is a clear indication that rehabilitation is now being valued as an essential service .
But it is only one small step , and we are committed to continue working with the Director of Rehabilitation and Hospital Discharge for NHS England , Jenny Keane , and her team to develop high quality rehabilitation provision and outcomes . And to continue to champion occupational therapist as a member of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance .
As the NHS workforce plan develops , we will continue to argue for increased staffing levels to meet demand . We want to ensure that everyone who would benefit from rehabilitation receives it and that occupational therapy within rehabilitation services are fully staffed and resourced .
Effective , timely and well-resourced rehabilitation services , with occupational therapists located where they can make the most impact , can reduce the burden on acute care and ultimately allow for a greater number of people to be supported in their own communities .
Karin Orman , RCOT Director of Practice and Innovation said : ‘ We ’ re no longer having to argue for the need for occupational therapy . Our conversations are now centred on how we can recruit more occupational therapists . Occupational therapy is being seen as a solution to many of the complex demands within the health and social care system .
‘ I ’ ve never seen this level of recognition of our skills and value . These are challenging times , but also an opportunity for the profession to lead systems-wide change . We ’ ll be working with members ensuring their expertise is drawn in designing needs-led integrated services at a national level .’
We ’ re no longer having to argue for the need for occupational therapy . Our conversations are now centred on how we can recruit more occupational therapists .”
February 2023 OTnews 11