Responding to the report published today which concludes that “a culture of short-termism” seems to prevail in the NHS and adult social care, Julia Scott, CEO of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, said:
“This report is an important and timely contribution to the debate about the future of the health and social care system. We wholeheartedly support the select committee's call for politicians of all parties to come together to tackle the monumental challenge of funding a sustainable and high quality health and social care system for the long term.
“Occupational therapists are qualified to work across both NHS and Social Care sectors. They have therefore seen for some time the negative consequences for patients and service users of the fragmented and adversarial nature of the health and social care system.
“The select committee is also correct to point out the link between many years of pay restraint and recruitment problems. We recently highlighted the fact that there are over 250 vacant occupational therapist posts in London alone, with some services carrying a 40% vacancy rate. We therefore support the select committee’s call for an urgent review to examine the impact of pay on morale and retention of health and care staff.”