RCOT launch ambitious manifesto pledges for local government elections

At the Parliament Buildings of Northern Ireland, RCOT called upon local government candidates and members of all political parties to support five key pledges and recognise the vital role occupational therapists play in delivering better health outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland:

• Bring forward a motion to Council to support RCOT's call for an occupational therapist to be based within multidisciplinary teams in GP surgeries.
• Support the proposal that each HSC Trust should have a dedicated occupational therapist to provide a point of reference and expertise on housing adaptations for disabled people.
• Recognise the health implications of not being in work for individuals and Northern Ireland society as a whole, pledge to prioritise the link between health and work, and ensure support for people who wish to remain in, return to or obtain work.
• Ensure the ongoing provision of the Condition Management Programme, in which health care professionals such as occupational therapists deliver interventions to address complex barriers in a work rehabilitation context.
• Recognise the significant role of occupational therapy not just in health care but also in social care.

Dora O'Loan, Chair of RCOT Northern Ireland Board, said:

"Through our campaign Improving Lives, Saving Money, RCOT has demonstrated the value occupational therapists can bring right across services in Northern Ireland. We would now like to see more occupational therapists being deployed in primary care and frontline services to intervene early and to support people to remain at home."

Kate Lesslar, RCOT Policy Officer for Northern Ireland, added:

"Whilst we recognise the difficult political situation, the progress of the Transformation Agenda in health has been welcome. RCOT believes our profession can play a greater role in the ongoing transformation process. We would like to see the number of therapy-led services increased to maximise people's independence and ensure an enablement ethos. Occupational therapists can deliver a public health approach addressing needs such as social isolation, employment and housing.

We call on the parties to continue to support our calls for an occupational therapist to be based within the multi-disciplinary teams, and to support our pledges for the upcoming local government elections."