The Northern Ireland Department of Health has announced that there will be an additional 10 undergraduate occupational therapy places at Ulster University for the 2022/23 intake.
Commenting on the additional places, Karin Orman, RCOT Director of Practice and Innovation said:
“We welcome the Health Minister’s announcement that there will be an additional 10 Occupational Therapy undergraduate places at Ulster University for the 2022/23 intake, which will significantly bolster the Occupational Therapy workforce. The additional places across Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) at Ulster University are an important first step in closing the gap between demand and supply and provide a much needed boost to an extremely over-stretched workforce.
“We’ve seen the immense importance of AHPs throughout the COVID pandemic crisis. They have proven their skills and adaptability, and this is a welcome announcement which will support their efforts as we emerge from the pandemic. The role of occupational therapists in key areas like prehabilitation and rehabilitation is imperative.
“A recent UK-wide survey on rehabilitation, carried out by RCOT, found that 82% of occupational therapists surveyed noted an increase in the demand for occupational therapy, while 71% found there were not enough occupational therapists to meet this demand. This is further evidence that an improved and expanded workforce is essential to provide high-quality health and social care and reduce the escalating waiting lists.”
You can find more information on the Northern Ireland Department of Health website.