message from the
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Well , this has certainly been a year of unexpected events and challenges . And I couldn ’ t be more proud of the way you , our members , have balanced major professional and personal challenges , while ensuring that you continue to deliver a service to the people who need it .
This year , we have been focused on supporting you throughout these unprecedented times . We have called upon the UK governments to ensure frontline staff in the NHS and social care have access to the personal protective equipment they need . We continue to provide you and the people you support with resources and guidance and to work with our higher education partners to ensure students and apprentices have been able to continue learning and complete practice placements , where possible .
We started 2020 with rehabilitation as a key RCOT campaign and as the UK faces a tidal wave of need for rehabilitation services , it has become increasingly critical . We have been urging all governments in the UK to invest in and prioritise rehabilitation for people recovering from COVID-19 , as well as for those who have rehabilitation needs that have not been met as a result of the pandemic . As a lead organisation in the Right to Rehab campaign , we have also been calling for equal access to high-quality community rehabilitation services for all .
At the end of 2019 , we welcomed occupational therapists being added to the shortage occupation list . This year we also successfully lobbied the UK government to extend visas by a year for overseas occupational therapists and other allied health professionals and for the Immigration Health Surcharge for overseas health workers to be scrapped . With an overstretched workforce , these changes will help combat some of the short-term recruitment challenges faced in health and social care .
We have spent time reflecting on the diversity of our profession and our role as a membership organisation . We are committed to creating lasting , meaningful and impactful change and are developing our long-term approach for the future .
Our initial steps on this journey included setting up an Equality , Diversity and Inclusion ( EDI ) website and email group and holding a BAME Big Conversation to hear members ’ views and experiences .
Since then we have also been recruiting EDI representatives to our two practice guideline groups and our publications group , as well as carrying out an EDI review of the next editions of our Career Development Framework and Professional Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice , Conduct and Ethics . Even more significantly , we have started recruitment for an EDI Manager and hope to make an appointment early in the new year .
On top of all of this , we have launched the Top 10 priorities for occupational therapy research in the UK and undertaken a major survey to find out how the pandemic has impacted the profession , as well as awarding two Fellowships and four Merit awards and eight annual financial awards to members .
We completed our Annual Conference review and moved our major events in 2020 online , including our AGM and the Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture , with an inspiring and thought provoking lecture from Dr Jenny Preston .
Our Specialist Sections and Regions also quickly adapted how they provide support , and many of you have taken part in online networking opportunities , events , webinars and virtual conferences .
Occupational Therapy Week 2020 was focused on inspiring people from all backgrounds to choose occupational therapy as a career and saw the launch of our dedicated careers website , ChooseOT . co . uk , and the start of our social media careers campaign . Taking our celebrations online didn ’ t stop you getting involved and it made the 2020 campaign our most sustainable so far .
The pandemic has really reinforced the centrality and benefits of digital technology in both our professional and everyday lives . RCOT is undergoing a wider digital transformation that will allow us to deliver support and services to you more efficiently and also sustainably from a climate change perspective .
2020 has not been the year that any of us anticipated or would have wished for , but it ’ s been clear that you have not just coped , but thrived .
This will also be my final full year as chief executive of RCOT . It has been a privilege to have played a part in raising the profile of occupational therapy so that more people understand its value , while also supporting our members to provide the best possible occupational therapy services to the people who most need them .
Thank you all for your support , hard work and adaptability and for the difference you make to people ’ s lives every single day .
I wish you all the very best for the year ahead ,
Julia Scott , chief executive
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