Editor ’ s note
Editor ’ s note
Welcome to OTnews
Welcome to a very special October issue . It ’ s with huge excitement that we bring you an unprecedented number of inspirational features from members of the Caribbean OT Network , as part of 2023 ’ s Black History Month celebrations .
I ’ m delighted to have Kalimah Ibrahiim and Dr Blaine Robin on board as guest editors , who set the scene for this special focus issue – in the context of both Black History Month and the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation – before introducing each of our contributors . Turn to pages 12-35 to read more .
In terms of practice and innovation we have a range of other themes on offer . On pages 36-37 , OT and author Sabina Khan asks the question : Do occupational therapists working with people with neurological impairments have a role in nutrition management ? She shares how OTs in the US approach this area of practice and suggests that all occupational therapists should think about nutrition to improve client outcomes and promote overall health and wellbeing .
On pages 38-39 , Emma Borthwick and Catherine Atkinson explain how a vocational rehabilitation occupational therapy service has been established in a London-based Primary Care Network . They argue that occupational therapy assessment and intervention skills demonstrably improve return to work rates .
Moving on to service development , on pages 40-44 , Jennifer Beal shares the outcomes of a Quality Improvement project to embed sensory interventions into an adult mental health service , while on pages 48-51 , we look at the cost-effectiveness , efficiency and quality of using telehealth as the primary assessment tool within the Highland Blue Badge service .
On the issue of workforce development , Coventry University has been tackling the ‘ national crisis of occupational therapists missing from practice ’. On pages 52-55 , we hear how one new and innovative course has been having a positive impact .
And finally , Adam Newberry , Tracey Smithson and Emily Sutherland look at the effectiveness of a reminiscence room and ‘ bus stop ’ in an emergency assessment unit in Oxford . Turn to pages 44-46 to see the results of the trial .
And finally , come and talk to our Chief Executive Steve Ford and Chair of Council Odeth Richardson at the OT Show in Birmingham on 22-23 November 2023 . Steve will be giving a keynote speech and experts from across the organisation will be there and happy to talk to you about any queries you ’ ve got . Find us at stand B30 .
Tracey Samuels Editor
I ’ d love to hear from you
Cover image : © monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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
October 2023 OTnews 3