Annual conference
Annual conference
‘ We need to be brave , confident and take a risk ’ Steve Ford tells members
At the end of a ‘‘ wonderful ’ two days of learning , debating , discussing and connecting , RCOT Chair Odeth Richardson and Chief Executive Steve Ford closed the 46th Annual Conference with their reflections on this year ’ s stand out highlights and our vison for the future of the profession and professional body .
Odeth shared that her many highlights included the session on how we use our expertise to achieve the best outcomes for patients leaving hospital , the excellent work in Sheffield to get OTs into GP surgeries , Eluned Morgan MS , the Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services , talking about achieving good health for all , and Venus Madden ’ s leadership journey .
Thanking delegates for their engagement she said : ‘ Without you we would not be here today ... you make the conference what it is by getting involved from the start , by helping us shape the themes that have driven the fantastic content that we ’ ve seen .
‘ We thank you all for your valuable contributions and the connections you ’ ve made .’
Steve Ford , RCOT Chief Executive , ended by pulling some of the conference themes together and sharing some of the trending Tweets .
‘ I love the way that @ RCOTGen talked about this being a primary care party ,’ he reflected . ‘ That ’ s been a really strong theme ; there are so many exciting opportunities now to really get occupational therapy in front of so many more people .
‘ But [ I ’ m ] aware that continues to put strong pressures on our workforce and the struggles people are facing .
‘ It was great to see the response around the session on support workers and how we need to be more creative around how we use our workforce .’
He added : ‘ There ’ s so much innovation going on and our Innovation Hub can really support the development , dissemination and sharing of new ways of working across the profession , so that we can be really agile in our response to challenges .’
He went on to say it was ‘ fantastic ’ to see the impact of people ’ s personal stories – and the encouragement we all get when we can identify with those stories . And he commended the primary care plenary session , and how powerful that sense of teamwork is .
‘ Wasn ’ t it brilliant to see the way OTs are working with university colleagues , students and GPs , and so many others , to really create change ? That ’ s a real lesson and inspiration for us all .’
He went on to talk about the journey RCOT is on . ‘ It ’ s all about delivery now ,’ he exclaimed . ‘ For me , personally , it has been fantastic and really inspiring to be part of last two days ... it just highlights what a fantastic privilege it is to do this role , but what a responsibility I have to lead Steve Ford an organisation that ’ s fitting for the work you all do .’
Saying he wants to make RCOT the professional body ‘ all members deserve ’, that gives you the resources , support and encouragement that you need to need to carry out the ‘ vital role ’ you are doing , he focused on how we are trying to respond as an organisation ‘ to what I think and what I hear you ’ re looking for ’.
‘ As an organisation we are on a journey ,’ he
Odeth Richardson told delegates . The first stage was listening , then positioning , and now it ’ s all about delivery , he explained . ‘ We do need to change and move forward if we really are to show the world the power of occupational therapy .’
He added : ‘ People were looking for a much more forward-looking organisation that shares and celebrates the powerful outcomes of occupational therapy , that ’ s giving that bold leadership , and is inclusive , welcoming and that everybody feels that they belong .’
Re-sharing RCOT ’ s vision , strategy and values , financial strategy and the new leadership structure , he said that we need to ‘ reimagine ’ what membership looks like .
He concluded : ‘ For me , the power of having our fantastic membership – and all your insights and experience – working with and being supported by an increasingly well resourced team that we have at RCOT – I think really does give us some fantastic opportunities for the future .
‘ I want the last voice to be with @ ClaireHedley OT who Tweeted : “ This year @ RCOT2023 to me there is an absolute thread … we need to be brave , confident and take a risk . Show everyone with evidence and impact what OT can offer . So exciting !”
‘ I think she ’ s right ; that confidence comes because we ’ ve had two days together , that encouragement and support we all get . And that is the message I take away from conference this year ; building that sense of community and constant connection that we have so we can all be increasingly confident and together to show everyone the power of occupational therapy .’
We will be sharing even more highlights and take home messages in the August issue . And don ’ t forget , if you were a registered delegate you have access to the platform content for six months .
July 2023 OTnews 25