Feature Stories
Royal College calls for an end to de-humanising social care system
Published on 14th July 2017
The current social care system is having a ‘dehumanising and isolating effect’ on older and vulnerable people, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists has warned.
Join the Occupational Therapy Thunderclap Campaign
Published on 21st June 2017
Occupational therapists are being urged to join a campaign to highlight the value of occupational therapy in social care.
Practice guideline launched for OTs working in secure hospitals
Published on 7th June 2017
Occupation-focused occupational therapy for adults in secure hospitals can literally transform a patient’s experience of their detention, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists has stated.
NICE publishes guidance on reablement
Published on 2nd May 2017
The National Institute for Care and Health Excellence has produced draft guidance on intermediate care, including reablement.
"It’s a Lifestyle choice for me which enables me to go travelling"
Published on 21st April 2017
Sarah Piercey is a Locum Occupational Therapist (OT) currently on a contract with a local authority social services department in North London. Sarah is from Perth in Western Australia and found that locuming enabled her to travel around the UK since moving here three years ago.
Lords highlight lack of long-term planning in NHS
Published on 11th April 2017
There is a shocking lack of long-term strategic planning in the NHS, the Lords Select Committee has warned.
Guidance for OTs on patient group direction launched
Published on 3rd April 2017
Guidance on patient group direction (PGD) which allows occupational therapists to supply and administer specified medicines in specific circumstances has been produced by the College of Occupational Therapists.
IR35 – The impact on locum occupational therapists
Published on 3rd April 2017
New IR35 legislation coming into force next week is a “quagmire”, a tax expert has warned.
NICE produces draft quality standard on rehabilitation following critical illness
Published on 3rd April 2017
Adults who require rehabilitation following critical illness should have their short-term rehabilitation goals agreed within four days of admission to hospital, new draft NICE guidance suggests.
Locums: Do you know your IR35 status ready for April?
Published on 13th March 2017
HMRC has finally unveiled the online tool that assesses the IR35 status of contractors working through their Personal Service Company on government contracts. The Employment Status Service (ESS) tool was released late on 2nd March 2017 and is designed to help contractors, and the public sector organisations and agencies who hire them determine whether or not the worker is inside or outside IR35. Early trials have led to much criticism on contractor forums with many stating that they have found the tool inconclusive and therefore not fit for purpose.
OT recruitment and retention crisis in London
Published on 7th March 2017
High vacancy rates of up to 40% for occupational therapists are evident in London, according to a report published today.
1 in 8 older people living with unmet needs
Published on 20th February 2017
Almost 1.2 million older people are not receiving the support they need, an analysis by Age UK has found.
“It took me 40 years to get here, but I love going to work!”
Published on 17th February 2017
Picture this. You are a permanent occupational therapist in a local authority and you decide it’s time to go locum. You’ve made your decision and so you hand your notice in. You have your leaving party, all your colleagues get you cards and presents and you say your goodbyes. Monday rolls round and it’s time to start your new locum position. Only it’s in the same authority as your permanent job was, on the same floor – in fact just 30 feet from your old team that you said goodbye to on Friday.
NICE: OTs need to routinely ask older people about falls
Published on 6th February 2017
Older people should be asked about falls when they have routine assessments and reviews with health and social care practitioners, and if they present at hospital, NICE has urged.
AHPs should be better utilised to lead change in health and social care system
Published on 3rd February 2017
Allied Health Professionals have the skills, knowledge and expertise to lead change in the health, social and wider care system, according to a report by NHS England.