It was a vibrant and lively event , which saw delegates get involved in a creative mix of live and pre-recorded sessions , chat rooms , live video linkups , poster presentations , product demonstrations , an RCOT Hub area , and a fast-moving Twitter wall , which showcased all the
# RCOT2021 activity in one accessible place .
With 99 sessions over the two days , a huge range of different speakers and panels discussing the four conference themes , and
# RCOT2021 trending on Twitter , there was a fantastic amount of lively and engaging content and debate .
Over the next two issues we will be reviewing some of the most popular sessions and poster presentations ; here we look at some of the sessions that made the ‘ top 10 ’ by unique views , including Professor Sally Singh , head of pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust , who said we need to develop the research and evidence the strengths of pulmonary rehabilitation as an intervention for people with post-COVID-19 symptoms , and Professor Sir Michael Marmot , who called on the government to ‘ put a fair distribution of health and wellbeing ’ at the heart of its policies . Turn to pages 16 to 21 to read more .
Our features this month are varied . Our cover story is from Dr Anita Mottram and Sarah Thornton , who discuss how Kirklees Council ’ s single-handed care project has been a ‘ phenomenal success ’ – resulting in a cost saving of £ 2.1 million for the organisation and returning 130,000 domiciliary care hours back into the system , to be used to support other clients ( pages 44 to 46 ).
On pages 22 to 24 , Helen Bucke urges occupational therapists to recognise how their unique skills can positively impact and improve the lives of adults on the autism spectrum , and to take action .
Given the incidence and increasing understanding of what it means to be neurodiverse , she says , now is the perfect time for occupational therapists to recognise and action the value that the profession can offer in positively impacting and improving the lives of adults on the autism spectrum .
Then on pages 26 to 28 , Liliana Mandal talks about how she overcame her own personal learning difficulties , and reflects on her experience to becoming and practising as an occupational therapist .
On the topic of service redevelopment and redeployment , on pages 38 to 39 , Natalie Morgan , lead occupational therapist for Long COVID at NELFT NHS Foundation Trust , talks about the initial hospital discharge hub set up to relieve pressure on beds when the pandemic struck , and the more recent development of a Long COVID clinic to tackle rehabilitation needs .
While on pages 40 to 41 , Nicola Slade , senior occupational therapist at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , reflects on what it was like to be told to ‘ go home and stay at home ’ when the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year , before finding volunteering work and ultimately redeployment .
Other articles look at introducing measuring outcomes and demonstrating quality of service in adult social care ( pages 48 to 49 ); and ongoing developments within Essex County Council ’ s occupational therapy service for children and young people who have a substantial and long-term disability ( pages 52 to 54 ).
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