Your commitment , dedication and expertise are ‘ genuinely inspiring ’, Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services tells OTs
In a Special Plenary session titled , ‘ How do we achieve good health and wellbeing for all ?’ Eluned Morgan MS , the Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services , told occupational therapists that they are ‘ unique ’ in understanding people ’ s health needs , and a vital profession to help deliver the Welsh Government ’ s vision for health and care services .
Ms Morgan joined a panel discussion with Dai Davies , RCOT Professional Practice Lead Wales , Ruth Crowder , Chief Allied Health Professions Officer – Wales , and RCOT Chief Executive Steve Ford .
She began her speech by reflecting on the creation of the NHS and the fundamental tenet that health isn ’ t just about treatment , it also has to be about prevention . She said that ‘ stopping the problem from developing in the first place ’ is where Bevan was , and ‘ is certainly where I would like to be ’. Something , she said , that is firmly set out in the long-term strategy A healthier Wales .
Reflecting on the ‘ real imbalance ’ in the health and care system , with missed opportunities for prevention and early intervention in the community , she said people are being led to feel disadvantaged and that the things that really matter to them , are not being focused on .
‘ So , on 6 June , I announced that in Wales we are going to go further and faster towards delivering on that A healthier Wales vision ; that shift into the community and as far as possible developing an integrated community care system for Wales .’
She told delegates her ambition is to deliver ‘ outstanding , whole system , place-based care for the people , ensuring as far as possible we can get them remaining connected in their communities . And go as far as we can – particularly with an ageing population – to prevent avoidable hospital admissions .’
Acknowledging the challenges and the need to work on many different fronts to achieve this , Ms Morgan went on to promise that , by seeking a greater use of shared budgets in the future , the Welsh Government will support the existing AHP workforce to ‘ drive effectiveness and efficiency ’.
She added that this year , she would ‘ really ramp up ’ reablement capacity , community nursing and the approach to telehealth and telecare .
She explained that to establish the longer-term transformation required , the Welsh Government is going to complete a service specification describing what placebased care looks like . It ’ s also going to continue to support the shift of resources towards preventative action and strengthening community services , to reduce reliance on unnecessary long-term care .
‘ I think that occupational therapists have a really important and unique contribution to make to delivering this change . Your skills , your expertise , enable people to do the things that really matter in their lives . Your interventions increase people ’ s independence . And it reduces their reliance on unnecessary long-term care Eluned Morgan services .’
She added : ‘ If we seriously want to achieve good health and wellbeing , we need to use all the resources in our communities effectively . And I think this includes using the expertise of OTs differently as well .’
She recognised this means increasing the proportion of OTs who are directly accessible in people ’ s own communities . Dai Davies ‘ We need to build on the fact you have this dual training ,’ she exclaimed . ‘ You ’ ve got mental and physical health abilities that you can call on , and we need to see more seamless working across traditional boundaries .’
Talking about the additional money the Welsh Government has already announced to support new recruitment and increasing capacity ,
Ruth Crowder and for integration , she said : ‘ I think it ’ s really important we use the skills you have .’
Before taking up several questions from Dai , she said : ‘ As a profession you are almost unique in understanding that psychological and physical impact of health needs , and we need to deliver a person-centred approach .’
And recognising that to achieve these changes , Wales must have a sufficiently skilled workforce , she said the workforce implementation plan in Wales will ‘ make sure we deliver ’.
Having pitched to OTs from across the UK to think about working in Wales , she finished her speech by saying : ‘ I want to express my appreciation for everything that you do . For your dedication , your expertise , for helping individuals to regain independence , to overcome challenges , to improve their overall wellbeing . Your commitment to understanding each person ’ s unique needs and empowering them to reach their full potential is genuinely inspiring .’
Following a short Q & A , led by Dai , Steve Ford , RCOT Chief Executive , closed the session by commenting : ‘ A challenge for all of us is to think about how we can develop strategic relationships with politicians at a national and a local level , because isn ’ t it great when you hear a politician who really gets occupational therapy .
‘ What can we all do to really build that understanding and knowledge and advocacy amongst all of our politicians ?’
20 OTnews July 2023