Editorial
Editorial
Welcome to OTnews Extra
Welcome to this month’ s OTnews Extra, an issue that captures the energy, honesty and forward momentum shaping the profession right now.
Our annual campaign theme of‘ right support at the right time’ runs throughout and we kick off this edition with a look at a growing pressure point across the UK: housing and home adaptations.
As more people live longer with complex conditions, the demand for timely adaptations has soared. The Disabled Facilities Grant remains vital but overstretched. While lengthy waits leave people at risk in homes that no longer work for them. On pages D10-11, Haela Pattemore focuses on the overstretched system through an occupational therapy lens and reflects on how we can address some of the gaps.
While our‘ From the archive’ feature on pages D12-16, spotlights a London borough’ s co-created housing design guide for neurodivergent residents and people with learning disabilities; a powerful reminder that inclusive homes begin with inclusive conversations, shaped by the people who live in them.
All this links to our Housing without delay project, being delivered by RCOT and Foundations, which aims to integrate the home environment into all occupational therapy interventions.
This initiative is not merely about adaptations; it recognises the potential of occupational therapists to influence housing outcomes across varied needs. Look out for more on housing in future print issues of OTnews.
We also share Gary Waltham’ s early reflections from his first three months as Chief Executive. After meeting hundreds of members across the UK, he reflects on the profession’ s unwavering commitment to occupational justice, the pressures you face, and how BAOT and RCOT must evolve to better meet your needs.
Finally, we close this issue with a topic that continues to gather pace across health and social care: preceptorship. While the NHS has long had structures in place, social care has been slower to develop equivalent pathways.
Hampshire County Council’ s emerging preceptorship programme shows how that gap can be bridged, offering a more confident and supported start for new practitioners entering the sector. Turn to pages D18-19 to find out more.
I hope you enjoy the issue; it’ s full of ideas, voices and insights that move the profession forward.
I’ d love to hear from you
Tracey Samuels Editor
If you have any feedback about this issue of OTnews Extra, or would like to contribute a short article or feature for a future publication, please email me at: tracey. samuels @ rcot. co. uk
March 2026 OTnews Extra D3