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The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has joined representatives from social care, health, education and trade unions in writing to the Prime Minister to share our concerns about recently announced changes to UK immigration policy and how this will impact our continued efforts to...

Council is leading a review of our governance, so that we can be a more responsive, focused and efficient organisation, able to deliver the greatest impact for our members and the wider profession. We’re looking for members to work with us in shaping the way we communicate, engage and consult with...

In November 2023 the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) launched the Principles for Preceptorship and NHS England (NHSE) released an AHP Preceptorship Standards and Framework . Both of these are d esigned to support allied health professionals (AHPs) through career transitions and to help...

We’re looking for two people who have experience of occupational therapy (OT) services, and an interest in research, to help us make sure the research we fund matters to the people who receive OT services, their families and carers, and the wider community. If you’re an occupational therapist or...

Over the past six months, we have been working with our community volunteers to re-imagine our current community model. These are questions we have already been asking volunteers in our current regional and Specialist Section communities. Our communities connect and lift up every occupational...

Do you find it a challenge to stay on top of recording your continuing professional development (CPD) and make sure you meet the HCPC standards? RCOT membership now includes free access to your very own CPD portfolio. We’ve teamed up with CPDme to give members access to an online platform and app...

Dear Victoria I am writing to reiterate why it's important to extend independent prescribing responsibilities to occupational therapists. This move would empower occupational therapists to provide precise, patient-centred care, in line with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and Major Conditions...

NHS England's Learner Support Funding (LSF) guidance document has been released. The LSF guidance covers all those starting and continuing a course from 1 September 2020 onwards and covers multiple allied health professions including OT. The new guidance lays out that – if you’re eligible – you can...

We’re happy to now launch our Equity, Diversity and Belonging Strategy 2024–2027 , following the EDB strategy consultation in August 2023.

Meet Manpreet, who recently started work as a Community Occupational Therapist for a local authority. Learn about Manni’s dream of using nature as a therapeutic tool and how she continues to learn through RCOT membership since qualifying as an OT.

You can choose the version of the strategy that works best for you. Do you want to download and keep the strategy? If so, the designed version could work best for you:

We are all very concerned and pained by the continuing conflict in Gaza and Israel with the increasing loss of innocent lives and the rapidly deepening humanitarian crisis. We welcome the news that a short ceasefire and release of some of the hostages has been agreed. We know that members care...

Eating Disorders Occupational Therapy Pathway Work Thanks again to all those eating disorder forum members who are working hard on this project. The date for the mental health specialist section conference has been announced for 1 March and we are hoping to launch the finalized document then! Here...

Research title: Occupational Therapists' Perceptions on the Use of Integrative Restoration (iRest) as a Stress Management Tool for Patients on the Waiting List for Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Study Hello, my name is Antonio “Tony” Chew, and I am studying for MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-...

Why not consider expanding your networks, sharing your knowledge and contributing to your CPD. Get involved now! We have these opportunities available on our committee: Vice Chair: this role includes supporting the Chair and committee to ensure that we fulfill our core business aims and...

We will publish a three-year equity, diversity and belonging action plan, detailing the steps we will take towards realising our vision, by the end of January 2024. We will also publish an annual impact report on our progress and provide regular updates on our EDB-related activities in our...

In the wake of the Autumn Statement 2023, we have analysed the proposed reforms and initiatives that hold potential implications for healthcare and work. Supporting work and preventing dropout The recognition of proposals for an occupational health framework is promising, and we anticipate the...

Hear from Odeth Richardson, Chair of BAOT/RCOT Council and Steve Ford, Chief Executive of RCOT, on our Equity, Diversity and Belonging Strategy.

Links to our recent webinar recordings in case you missed them or want to watch them back again, including the latest legal update recording from Michael Mandelstam. Legal Updates with Michael Mandelstam Webinar DFG Necessary & Appropriate Home Hacks Toolkit (March 2023) with link to additional...

The Care Quality Commission has published its annual review of health and social care. A clue to their conclusions: the past year is described as “turbulent”. Ian Dilks, Chair of CQC, said: “The challenges described in this year’s State of Care are to some degree caused by a lack of joined-up...

This guide has been created by Foundations for Home Improvement Agencies but also has benefits for OTs to help our understanding of the support that some of our client’s might benefit from. It focuses on dealing with the issue of cold homes and helping vulnerable people who live in them. It goes...

Access the TEC paper (PDF) This fund aims to develop care-focused technology solutions that have the potential for wider rollout within the sector, and in doing so provide evidence to prioritise investments in care technology. The four projects receiving funding National Care Group will receive...

Occupational therapists support children, young people and their families to participate in the occupations that they want to do, need to do and are expected to do, at home and in school. This includes occupations across the domains of leisure (e.g. sports, gaming and rest), self-care (e.g...

As part of our new and improved member offer, we hosted the Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) course in June 2023. Members were invited to join OPC trainers Lucy Charles and Arul Hamill from New Zealand for three half-days, for a highly-subsidised rate. Leanne Rouse – a Specialist...

CYPF Conference is back and we are delighted to present our first face-to-face conference in five years! We invite members to join us at The Rep Theatre in Birmingham for a full-day event on Friday 8 November 2024. We seek to showcase high-quality, occupation-focused practice for occupational...

Commenting on yesterday’s Autumn Statement, Director of Practice and Innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Karin Orman, said: ‘Occupational therapists are essential for helping to identify and address the social, economic and environmental factors which influence people...

Statistics published by NHS Digital this week have revealed that around one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25 years could have a mental health disorder. Although the rates of probable mental disorders have stabilised across all age groups in 2023 (after a rise between 2017–2020), the...

We’ve carefully chosen and defined our key terminology. Each of these three concepts is vital, so while ‘EDB’ is a useful shortform, we don’t want it to become a meaningless acronym or minimise the individual elements’ importance. Equity Equity recognises differences and complexity in circumstances...

The UK population is diverse. Occupational therapists work every day with people of different race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, class and ability. But as a profession, we’ve historically lacked diversity. Occupational therapists, learners, the people who receive our services and our...

Our members’ voices are at the heart of this strategy, which sets out our priorities and will inform our action plan for 2024–2027. The strategy was co-created by members, staff and public contributors with direct experience of, or insights into, the discrimination and disadvantages faced by...

Can I get accessible versions of the strategy? The strategy is available in a variety of accessible formats . As well as designed accessible PDFs in English and Welsh, there is a plain and large font PDF and easy read PDF. You can also listen to the strategy on audio. If you need more support or a...

We asked our members, staff and stakeholders for feedback on the draft EDB strategy in July and August 2023. We received over 1,500 responses to the survey and additional feedback through five focus groups. Enventure, our research partner, managed this process, analysed the feedback and produced a...

Our equity, diversity and belonging vision This is what we’re working towards: By 2027, RCOT will be recognised as a bold, progressive advocate of equity and social justice. We put equity, diversity and belonging at the heart of everything we do. We actively oppose discrimination, demonstrate...

Do you find it challenging to stay on top of recording your continuing professional development (CPD) and making sure you meet the HCPC standards? We’ve teamed up with CPDme to give you access to an online platform and app designed to make CPD recording easy and accessible. You can now record your...

Get a sneak peek at the issues covered in this month's OTnews.

Becky Ferris, a Masters student at the University of Plymouth shares her experience.

In October, one of our Professional Advisers, Pete Vesey, was invited to represent us at this year’s British Association of Hand Therapists’ (BAHT) conference. Pete got to rub shoulders with colleagues from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and Greener NHS whilst he was there. Pete leads our...

Are you thinking of find out more about our region committee? Being part of the committee is a fantastic way to build your network in the region, develop your CPD and link in with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. You do not have to be experienced to express an interest in a position as...

Commenting on the appointment of Victoria Atkins MP as the new health and social care secretary, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Benjamin Powick, said: ‘It is a concern that there is not only a lack of stability and consistency in the...

Commenting on the annual report from the Chief Medical Officer, ‘ Health in an ageing society ’, Director of Practice and Innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Karin Orman, said: ‘The Chief Medical Officer’s focus on prioritising and enhancing quality of life is...

Commenting on new data from NHS England showing that waiting lists and emergency care demand have reached record highs, Head of Practice and Workforce at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Suhailah Mohamed, said: ‘This is the result of too many short-term decisions and not enough...

This year in Occupational Therapy (OT) Week – 6–12 November – the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) will be celebrating the meaning of occupations in the context of occupational therapy. The campaign aims to create a better understanding of occupations, to help people everywhere value...

Eleven occupational therapists from a broad range of experience and careers stages will be sharing experiences and their advice for helping more people to understand what occupations are and to owning it as your superpower. OTnews article For the first time, we’re sharing this OTnews with you...

Meet us at the Occupational Therapy Show at the NEC Birmingham on 23–24 November 2023.

You may have seen our previous news stories announcing our collaboration with nine other professional bodies and the imminent release of the updated principles of practice-based learning. We’re delighted to announce that – since first introducing the principles of practice-based learning in October...

Intellectually disabled people who are a vulnerable and marginalised group, often experience limited affordable, appropriate housing, which has led to inappropriate and unsafe housing choices (Casson, et al., 2021). They may also have complex needs such as over-sensitivity to environmental stimulus...

What made you decide to go independent? I was introduced to occupational therapy by an independent practitioner with their own business and so have always known, even before undertaking my studies, that I wanted to be a part of the world of independent practice. The limitations of state services,...

I graduated as an occupational therapist in 2003/4, from the Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa). I then went on to obtain a PgCert in Neuro Rehabilitation from Coventry University; and then a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Regenesys Business School. I am what one...

The webinar was chaired by Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Chair of Wellbeing for Women and Women’s Health Ambassador to England. Four panel members joined her; Dr Richard Caddis, Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Sarah Moore and Heather Palmer who hold various senior roles for Marks and Spencer (M&S), PWC...

Many thanks for raising your concerns regarding occupational therapists administering vaccinations. The RCOTSS Work National Executive Committee has discussed this issue, and we have agreed to the following response in support of your situation: The Royal College of Occupational Therapists National...

We’ve heard from a few members about the very distressing situation in Israel and Gaza and our upcoming OT Week campaign , ‘Occupation matters’. The concerns raised are primarily about the campaign’s title and the meaning of the word ‘occupation’ in its geo-political sense, and whether it’s...

NHS England's (NHSE) Digital Academy for Health and Care have commissioned the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) to develop a learning resource which introduces allied health professionals (AHPs) to health informatics. The resource will be online, interactive and demonstrate how technology...

In response to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, Steve Ford, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, said: ‘Like many of our members I am deeply concerned at the continuing devastating situation in Israel and Gaza, where thousands of innocent people have lost their...

Eden Samuels-Coke shares with us how reading Black literature can be a means of connecting with Black identity, history and consciousness.

Commenting on new NICE recommendations that the amount of rehabilitation time offered to people who have had a stroke needs to increase, Head of Practice and Workforce at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Suhailah Mohamed, said: ‘Rehabilitation is essential after a stroke and can...

When students reach the end of a course, they feel a deep sense of relief having completed all their assignments, and then await their results. One such former student is 29-year-old Ebenezer Baiden from Leeds, Yorkshire. Here is his story.

We’ve spoken to occupational therapy leaders from Scotland and Wales who’ve developed universal coverage for primary care occupational therapy in their health boards. We asked about their challenges, successes and how you can have influence to apply this locally and nationally. We spoke to: Shonaid...

The value of occupational therapists in primary care We hope that sharing these action examples will help you see the value of occupational therapists in primary care. They’ve been written by pioneer occupational therapists who are leading the way in primary care. Some include short films or...

It's National Recycle Week! The NHS makes up 4% of the UK’s total carbon footprint with the NHS’ supply chain accounting for 66% of the NHS' overall carbon emissions. Within the supply chain, medical equipment and devices account for 13% of the NHS carbon emissions and walking aids are on the list...

We’ve collected information about research into primary care occupational therapy. It includes projects we’ve carried out like a survey and a study about the impact of occupational therapy for older adults. You can find articles and books in the resources section.

Here are resources from around the UK about occupational therapy in primary care. They include news, films, posters, podcasts, and reports. You can access it by country but read widely; there is some great work out there!

It’s a day to understand, recognise and celebrate the fundamental role AHPs have in transforming health, care and wellbeing for patients and citizens. Suzanne Rastrick, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for NHS England Our profession often sees us working with other AHPs to deliver the...

This brochure highlights the amazing work of our winners this year, and gives us all a chance to reflect on the power of occupational therapy. As part of our commitment to sustainability , we have taken a digital-first approach to our brochure this year and have placed it here to download. We hope...

Sarah Selina Macmillean reflects on a deeply moving guest lecturing experience at Leeds Beckett University, and how it encouraged her to share some personal experiences with the students.

The narrative explains what occupations are, in the context of occupational therapy. It’s written in a way that will help people outside of the OT profession understand occupations and why they matter, so it doesn’t include technical terms. For more information, direct people to our about...

You can find here a range of resources to help you talk about occupations, in the context of occupational therapy, in person, in your workplace and on social media:  Posters to display in your workplace. Graphics to share on social media or insert into documents. Banners to use in your email...

Commenting on the Skills for Care State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England, released today, Director of Practice and Innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Karin Orman, said: ‘Getting the social care workforce right will mean that more people will...

Networks are an important way to get advice and support, broaden thinking, find inspiration, and enhance career opportunities. We’ve pulled together primary care occupational therapy networks in the UK. These include networks across the whole UK, country, and patient specific networks. RCOT’s...

We spoke to occupational therapists from Sheffield to hear their tips about piloting occupational therapy primary care. They've shared tips with you that cover practice, education, research, and leadership. We think following them could make a big impact to spread innovation. Tip 1 . GPs need your...

Primary care is one of our key priorities because it's the first point of contact or front door to the NHS, social care, and general practice. It includes the day-to-day healthcare available in every local area and first place people go when they need healthcare advice, diagnosis, assessments,...

Improved access , decreased demand . In Lanarkshire, 55% of patients had fewer GP appointments after occupational therapy interventions. 97% had improved quality of life and 88% improved their activities of daily living and functional outcomes. In North Wales, 76% of patients with mental health...

Blessing Christian, a first-year MSc occupational therapy student at Glasgow University reveals her journey to studying OT, 'aha' moments, joys in her studies and advice for aspiring OTs. Read on to find out her full story.

Occupational therapy lecturer, Aicha Djalo Balde, shares how being at the vibrant intersection of culture and identity has informed her teaching and what it means to work as an educator in Britain today.

The cost-of-living crisis is making it more difficult for children and young people to access the therapies and interventions they need, say almost two-thirds ( 65% ) of paediatric occupational therapists. These results stem from our newly released children and young people's survey 2023. The...

This year, working with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), we have jointly led eight other professional bodies to update our principles of practice-based learning . This means the principles are now co-badged by 10 AHP professional bodies to support you in creating quality and...

Summary The children’s occupational therapy (OT) workforce is under huge pressure. Increased demand and workforce shortages are challenging occupational therapists’ capacity to provide essential support to children and young people whose health, development and wellbeing is affected by a range of...

Our membership experience survey is now open! We work with you to ensure people everywhere value the life-changing power of occupational therapy. This means giving you the insights, training and membership experiences that best support your professional development – whatever stage you are in your...

Are you pursuing a career in occupational therapy research in 2024? Through our Research Foundation grants you can apply for one of up to five awards totalling up to £140,000 – all to develop the future of occupational therapy, support OT researchers and develop research leaders. Find your grant...

This issue, we are excited to share some of the fabulous work members of our occupational therapy community are doing in emerging areas of practice, alongside service developments in more traditional settings.

Occupational therapists bring diverse skills to primary care. They provide new expertise to primary care teams to ensure patients get fast access to the right care at the right time. Occupational therapists are clinically trained to work holistically with patients with physical, mental, and social...

Recommendations of the Neonatal Clinical Forum, part of the RCOT Specialist Section – Children, Young People and Families.

We’re excited to introduce Professor Katrina Bannigan as the speaker for our 2024 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture.

Do you work in neonatal care? Use our updated staffing recommendations and professional development framework to increase and develop your services.

With parts of the country experiencing their hottest temperatures of the year this week, we've issued advice for people with fatigue , who may feel much more tired in hot weather. Extreme heat can make you feel more tired, and it can be harder to concentrate when it’s very hot. This is even more...

Targeted Box and Block Test (tBBT) The FDA updated the tBBT design after consultation with clinicians and patients. The feedback resulted in a few key design changes to the tBBT including (1) the use of a 3x3 pattern instead of a 4x4 pattern to give prosthesis users more space to manipulate blocks...

Alhotye M, Daynes E, Gerlis C, Singh SJ. Symptoms burden and rehabilitation preference after an episode of COVID-19: A patients survey. Chronic Respiratory Disease. 2023;20. Symptoms burden and rehabilitation preference after an episode of COVID-19: A patients survey - Munyra Alhotye, Enya Daynes,...

Brose JM, Willis E, Morgan DD. The intentional pursuit of everyday life while dying: A longitudinal qualitative study of working-aged adults living with advanced cancer. Palliative Medicine. 2023;0(0). The intentional pursuit of everyday life while dying: A longitudinal qualitative study of working...

Thomsen SD, Garboe FAS, Enemark Larsen A, Uth J, Krustrup P, Madsen EE. Football Fitness as a meaningful driver of occupational identity in female breast cancer survivors. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2023;86(7):482-492. Football Fitness as a meaningful driver of occupational identity...

Applications for our 2024 Annual Awards for learning, research and development are open for an additional week and we want you to apply. For 2024 there are awards across nine different categories, ranging from £500 – £2,000 for travel, learning, innovation, technology, research and more. We'd...

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