News
News
National accolades for Greener AHP initiative and project lead
OT Sue Norman has secured the AHP of the Year award at the seventh annual Chief Allied Health Professions Officer awards in England , for leading the Hampshire Electric Urgent Response Van initiative , which also won in the ‘ Greener AHP ’ category .
The project was set up to find an alternative to ambulance service visits , enabling emergency ambulances to be directed to the most serious incidents . It involves working collaboratively with all system partners without borders to have access to direct referrals from 999 and 111 .
Using an electric vehicle supports the NHS Net Zero agenda and having immediate access to all equipment needed to assess , diagnose and treat people at home , further reduces carbon footprint by reducing unnecessary journeys .
This effective use of resources enables the delivery of holistic , comprehensive treatment and care planning within an individual ’ s own home . Yet the most important impact is how the service design is grounded in person centred care . During a visit from the Hampshire Electric Urgent Response Van team an integrated emergency health and social care assessment is carried out by an OT , which is proven to reduce repeated falls . Access to community health and social care pathways are improved and independent living is promoted .
Professor Suzanne Rastrick , OBE , Chief Allied Health Professions Officer ( CAHPO ) for England congratulated Sue saying : ‘ Across the NHS , urgent and emergency care services are changing to ensure that patients get the right care , in the right place , whenever they need it .
‘ I encourage senior leaders and teams to consider how this crossprovider initiative can be adopted in your service to optimise care delivery and further improve the experiences of the people and communities we work alongside .
‘ Enhancements such as the Hampshire Electric Urgent Response Van ensure that we provide a modern , responsive service fit for the future , today .’
While Sue told OTnews : ‘ I have been so honoured to be nominated and to receive the awards . The project has given our team the opportunities to try new things and implement a more sustainable solution to our service delivery . Our small but mighty van is making an important contribution to reducing unnecessary ambulance call outs and providing our patients with everything they need to immediately be treated and enabled to remain safe and well at home during an acute illness .
‘ Since receiving the award , it has opened up so many wonderful opportunities to share our success among the wider health care community , to enable other services to consider alternative solutions for the way they operate .’
The team is continuing to work in partnership with the 999 and 111 services so that it can streamline the logistics of partnership working and is keen to explore more ways to ensure patients receive the right care , in the right place , by the right person .
Sue added : ‘ I would really like to see more electric vehicles being utilised , both within our team and other surrounding areas , to continue to make our communities a cleaner and healthier place to call home .’
News in brief
Conversations with our leadership team
Do you want to talk with the people who manage RCOT ? Would you like to learn more about our plans ? You can join our senior leadership team for an open conversation in one of our ‘ Let ’ s get together ’ events . We want to engage with you more , hear what ’ s important and answer some of your questions . By having these informal events we hope to create new opportunities for us to listen to you , discuss subjects that matter and share updates with you about delivering our strategy . The next date is 18 July 2024 . Register now and share topics you ’ d like us to discuss at https :// bit . ly / 4dfVbMP .
Disability charity offers neurologic music therapy alongside OT
Specialist neurologic music therapy is now available as part of a multidisciplinary therapy offering at Queen Elizabeth ’ s Foundation for Disabled People in Surrey . One of the expert services the charity provides is care and neurorehabilitation , supporting people in rebuilding core skills after an acquired brain injury , stroke , spinal injury , or neurological illness . From last month , neurologic music therapy will be delivered in partnership with CHROMA . It will be available alongside occupational therapy , physiotherapy , psychology and speech and language therapy , at the charity ’ s Care and Rehabilitation Centre . Find out more at www . qef . org . uk / professionals / crc /.
We oppose HCPC ’ s proposed 6 % fee increase
The Health and Care Professions Council ( HCPC ) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the fees it charges registrants and applicants . It is proposing a 6 % increase on the current fee , which means if approved , the new annual registration fee will be £ 123.34 and would come into effect from 2025 to 2027 . You can read RCOT ’ s comment on the proposals and current consultation at https :// bit . ly / 3UnGCy5 . You can share your views with us by emailing the Professional Advisory Service by 5pm on Friday 31 May 2024 professional . advisoryservice @ rcot . co . uk .
May 2024 OTnews 13