RCOT is starting to gather examples of occupational therapy services that are using technology in innovative ways. The work follows the lead role that technology and digitally-enabled models of care had in last month’s Long-Term Plan published for the NHS in England. Technology is on the agenda all over the UK as services look for new ways to deliver services and support patients and service users.
Suzy England, RCOT’s newly-appointed professional adviser on health informatics, said: "It is in RCOT’s Strategic Intentions to ensure that occupational therapists are positioned for the 21st century, and digital tools and technologies are essential for doing so.
"We know lots of our members are already doing exciting work using digital tools in fresh ways all around the UK, and England’s Long-Term Plan for the NHS is the latest prompt for us to think about how to deliver services differently.
"This is in part about how we work, such as the shift to electronic patient records and digital outpatient appointments. But it is also about how we need to support our patients and service users with digital skills, and which technological solutions can help deliver care and enable people to do more. The ways in which we all work, live and communicate are digitalising fast and we need to make sure we can help them engage with the activities they want to do."
Members with innovative service examples or who want to discuss digitalising occupational therapy services are asked to email: suzy.england@rcot.co.uk.