Editor ’ s note
Editor ’ s note
Welcome to OTnews
Welcome to the May issue , where we are excited to bring you news about a number of RCOT ’ s recent activities , including the findings from both our workforce and sustainability pulse surveys and a look at the new resources from the joint Health Education England ( HEE ) and RCOT project , with learning for all four nations .
Back in November 2022 , occupational therapy practitioners across the UK were asked about the workplace issues they ’ re facing now and how these affect the services they deliver to the public . We also asked how you ’ re impacted personally , including whether you intend to continue working as occupational therapists .
The challenges that over 2,600 of you shared have significant implications for the resilience of the current and future occupational therapy workforce and the people who use our services . Turn to pages 12-14 for an in-depth look at the results , RCOT ’ s key recommendations , and to find out what we are doing with the information you shared .
Then , on pages 58-59 , we look at the individual projects that comprised a dedicated year-long Allied Health Professionals ( AHP ) Workforce Reform project . As it draws to a close , we report on the progress made and the new resources produced in each workstream .
And finally , RCOT has analysed the responses from our first pulse survey on environmental sustainability and on page 10 , we talk to Pete Vesey , RCOT Professional Adviser for Environmental Sustainability , about some of the themes raised and RCOT ’ s plans moving forward .
As a first step , we are planning to focus some articles in OTnews on aids , equipment and adaptations . We want to hear about examples of changes you ’ ve been making in this area to reduce impact on the environment , as well as some of the key areas for improvement .
This could be around changing how we prescribe ( so reducing consumption ), sustainable materials and procurement , reuse of materials and equipment , or recycling and disposal .
Please email me at editorial @ rcot . co . uk if you ’ d like to get involved .
I ’ d love to hear from you
Cover image : © monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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
May 2023 OTnews 3