The Healthy Homes Bill – why is it important?

 The Town and Country Planning Association launched the Healthy Homes Bill in September 2020, and is calling upon the UK government to adopt the bill as legislation. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is pleased to support the Healthy Homes Act campaign and the eleven key principles on which it is founded.

Read RCOT news piece here

RCOT statement on occupational therapists and access to PPE

Click here to read statement

RCOT issues advice to help those who are social distancing

Click here for advice and guidance

Occupational therapy’s role in social prescribing

RCOT has been working on the topic of social prescribing and the unique contribution occupational therapy can make for a considerable time – it’s been a thread woven throughout much of our work over the past few years. Read RCOT news piece here

Government funding for occupational therapy students

In a speech today to the Policy Exchange, Minister for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock outlined new funding for pre-registration occupational therapy students in England. Read RCOT news piece here

Royal College of Occupational Therapists outlines new Research and Development Strategy

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Brexit update - RCOT

In light of the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists is continuing to monitor developments and consider how our members, and the services they provide, might be impacted. Click here for RCOT website

Encouraging service users to complete research survey

There is still time for members and people who use their services to complete the occupational therapy research priorities survey before it closes on Tuesday 5 November 2019. Click here for the website

RCOT launches new standards for education providers

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has updated its standards for pre-registration education, which are applicable to providers of occupational therapy courses across the UK. Read news item here

Occupational Therapy: Unlocking The Potential Of Children And Young People

This report outlines the role that occupational therapists play in improving the lives of children and young people with physical, learning and mental health needs. Click here for King's Fund link to report

The Ward Round: Why your trust needs an OT

The debate around workforce shortages in the NHS is often focused on doctors and nurses, the largest and most visible staff groups. However, as made clear by the long-term plan for the NHS, allied health professionals significantly support the demand faced by the NHS and there are studies that demonstrate they improve patient flow. Read HSJ article here - if you have problems access the journal please contact the library on 01905 760601

Do you know the driving status of all your clients? And if not, why not?

These were the direct questions posed by Sherrie Buckley, from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, in a session on the current knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and practice of occupational therapists in Northern Ireland when it comes to driving and depression. Click here to read RCOT article

Healthcare professionals issue consensus statement on the importance of health and wellbeing in work

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) along with the Allied Health Professions Federation, Royal College of Nursing and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges have launched a consensus statement that outlines how healthcare professionals should promote the benefits of good work and help support workers to look after their own health and wellbeing. Click here to read news piece

‘Can, not can’t’ – delivering personalised care on the frontline

Effective personalised care must focus on individual strengths, daily activities and social connections, new report finds. Read report here

Royal College of Occupational Therapists response to the NHS Long Term Plan

The long awaited publication of the NHS Long Term Plan was warmly received by the team at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists as a sound roadmap for the future of health care in England. Click here for response

FREE access to The British Journal of Occupational Therapy during Occupational Therapy Week

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World Occupational Therapy Day - 27 October 2018

The World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) has launched promotional materials for World Occupational Therapy Day, which is on 27 October 2018. The theme for this year’s event is 'Celebrating Our Global Community. Click here for details

Flexi-working, less box filling and more time with adults – how one council is liberating its social workers and OTs

Flexi-working, less box filling and more time with adults – how one council is liberating its social workers and OTs - Click here for article

Grads4Nottm Work Placement with the Occupational Therapy Department at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham

Myself (Anusha Panchal) and Zakir Hossain are two students at The Nottingham Trent University who were given an opportunity by our employability team to undertake a two week placement with the HCOP/Occupational Therapy team at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham. Read blog here from fabnhsstuff

The NHS at 70

Historical occupational therapy leaflets available to RCOT members To support the NHS70 celebrations this week, RCOT has published a collection of front covers from historical occupational therapy leaflets. Click here to go to link - you do need RCOT membership