Responding to figures issued by NHS England showing that delays leaving hospital due to social care have doubled in 5 years and increases in ‘trolley waits’, Julia Scott, CEO of the College of Occupational Therapists said:
“We fully support calls for a new plan for social care. But beyond that, planning to reform the system must be undertaken by all of the main political parties working together with patients, service users and experts to develop the ‘once in a generation’ solutions that will be needed. Occupational therapists are unique in working across the boundaries between NHS and social care services and have been shown to cut stays in acute wards by up to 8.5 days, helping people to get home as soon as they are clinically ready. We would encourage the government to work with us and to look at how increasing investment in occupational therapy services could be the solution to the problems the health and social care system are facing.
"This matters because behind the pound signs and politics are real people struggling to get through each day without the support they desperately need and deserve. These people deserve better. It is time for politicians of all parties to work together to finally take on this monumental challenge.”