Work of OTs held up as an example for therapists across the UK
The work of therapists in Swansea Bay who help people overcome mental and physical conditions should be used as an example for the rest of the UK, according to experts.
Occupational Therapists help people with physical or mental health challenges, or with learning disabilities, to improve their ability to do everyday tasks if they are experiencing difficulties, including providing help with motor skills, sensory processing and self-care.
The Royal College of OTs sets the professional and educational standards for the health and social care profession, and Swansea Bay OTs have been sharing their knowledge and work with the College, impressing leaders so much they called on work being carried out in the region to set ‘a template’ for the rest of the country.
It follows a presentation by three health board OTs at a virtual conference hosted by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, which invited others from around the UK to learn from each other.
Colleagues were then invited to the Senedd to discuss further work being undertaken in Swansea Bay UHB with Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan – now Wales’ new First Minister.
Deputy Head of OT Robert Workman said: “The Royal College of OT conference is an annual event for people across the UK to share what they are doing.
“It is a huge event in the OT calendar in this country, and it was a great opportunity for Swansea Bay to be invited to speak.
“And it was not just about Swansea Bay – different nations have different things going on, and it was a chance to put Wales on the map.”
OT Thomas Williams spoke to the conference about how OT will look like in ten years’ time, while Education, Research and Practice Development Lead OT Laura Ingham shared her current PhD level study, exploring the evaluation methods that OTs use in primary care roles.
Mr Workman, meanwhile, joined discussions on the future of the OT workforce, and his involvement in the development of the RCOT Workforce Strategy Implementation Plan for Wales.
Robert said: “Wales is the first of the home nations to develop an implementation plan so we were keen to share our thoughts.”
Representatives from Royal College of OTs also visited Swansea Bay UHB headquarters in Baglan to learn about work being done to develop OT services in primary care.
OTs working in Virtual Wards and GP Clusters, led by Clinical Lead OT Alex Gigg, shared their experiences with RCOT’s Professional Advisor Genevieve Smyth, Policy and Public Affairs Lead Joseph Brunwin and Professional Practice Lead for Wales Dai Davies.
Genevieve Smyth told the gathering: “I could feel the joy and pride in the room. You’re a template of what we want across the whole UK.”
Main Picture: Sarah Morse - Clinical Lead OT – front door services at Morriston Hospital; Helen Bankhead – OT in TBIS (Traumatic Brain Injury Service); Alex Gigg - Clinical Lead OT – Virtual ward and Clusters; Elizabeth Stuckey – OT working in the Learning Disability Service; Laura Ingham - Education, Research & Practice Development Lead OT; Robert Workman – Deputy Head of Occupational Therapy
Inset: Health Minister, now First Minister, meets members of the OT service
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