From manifesto to action
This month, RCOT is excited to launch Wales 2026: Five steps to a healthier nation, our manifesto of key asks for the next Welsh Government.
Wales’s health and care system is under sustained pressure. Demand is rising, waiting lists remain too long and too many people are receiving care later than they should in hospital, rather than earlier and closer to home.
Wales needs a different approach, one that shifts care closer to communities and prioritises prevention and early intervention. Occupational therapy is central to this shift.
We’ve put together five ‘musts’ for the next Welsh Government:
embed OTs in every cluster
transform workforce planning
prevention and early intervention first
end inconsistencies in provision
open leadership pathways.
Read more and download the manifesto at www.rcot.co.uk/manifesto-action-five-steps-healthier-wales-and-other-updates-walescymru.
If you would like to learn more, or get involved with making or supporting change for OTs in Wales, you can get in touch with Paul Smith, RCOT Policy and Public Affairs Lead – Wales at paul.smith@rcot.co.uk.
We’ve launched our manifesto for a healthier Scotland
Ahead of the 2026 Scottish election, we launched our manifesto in February, calling for the next government to back earlier support in communities, smarter workforce planning and investment in data, research and sustainability.
Scotland 2026: Six steps for a healthier nation is our manifesto urging all parties to back practical measures that move help upstream, reduce hospital pressure and deliver better outcomes for people across Scotland.
With more than 4,000 Health and Care Professions Council-registered occupational therapists working across communities in Scotland, we know timely occupational therapy prevents crises, supports independence and tackles health inequalities, but services are under strain from unfilled posts, rising demand and outdated systems.
The six steps the next Scottish Government needs to take are:
refocus resources to strengthen community based teams
expand entry routes to build a sustainable workforce
improve workforce planning and data for better decisions
invest in tools and technology to deliver better outcomes
support research and innovation to advance practice
equip the profession to meet sustainability challenges.
Find out why this matters and how you can get involved at www.rcot.co.uk/
latest-news/setting-out-six-step-plan-build-healthier-scotland. Contact Katie MacGregor, RCOT Policy and Public Affairs Lead –Scotland at katie.macgregor@rcot.co.uk.
Look out for a joint authored feature by Katie and Paul in the April/May issue of OTnews, where, as your policy and public affairs leads in Scotland and Wales, they look at how elections bring an exciting opportunity for us all to promote occupational therapy and the great work our members do across the nations.