Thursday’s election results were a historic day for Welsh devolution

For the first time since the Senedd was established in 1999, Welsh Labour were not returned as the largest party in the Senedd, with Plaid Cymru winning the most Members of the Senedd (MSs), followed by Reform UK Wales. 

But what happens next?  

Unlike in Westminster, the Senedd needs to meet to do two things. Firstly, elect a Llywydd (Chair) and a First Deputy.  

Secondly, elect a First Minister. Plaid Cymru have stated they want to run a minority government – cooperating with other parties on a case-by-case basis. Crucially, they will need to pass the Welsh Government’s budget every year which will require parties to support it or abstain to let it pass. 

Reform are unable to form a government as their only partners would be the Welsh Conservatives – combined they would still have fewer MSs than Plaid Cymru. 

How will the priorities of the new Welsh Government impact occupational therapy in Wales?   

Over the last month, political parties have made commitments on how they see the Welsh health and care system changing in the future.  

For example, several parties highlighted workforce and service reform priorities that relate to occupational therapy: 

• Labour, the Conservatives and Reform have stated that they would implement a long-term workforce plan for the Welsh NHS. 

• Plaid Cymru wants to develop and strengthen the NHS workforce, including Allied Health Professionals, looking at apprenticeships and placements along with improving access to specialist staff. They’re also looking at embedding specialist and trauma-informed support into schools as part of their ‘Community Schools Plus’ pilot. 

• The Green Party has committed to having occupational therapists as part of a their ‘local health and wellbeing hubs’ which seek to connect with reablement and step-up/step-down services to reduce pressure on hospitals and improve recovery. 

We will work closely with the next Welsh Government and MSs to support and advance occupational therapy in Wales. To start, we’ll send our open letter the political parties elected to the Senedd. This letter, signed by over 300 OTs, sets out five practical steps towards a healthier Wales. 

The good news is, all parties have made commitments which align with our vision for the profession including strengthening community care and a focus on prevention and early intervention.  

However, there are still major challenges faced by OTs which the next Welsh Government need to resolve. 

An immediate priority is the cuts to occupational therapy university NHS bursary courses, which have seen student numbers reduced by 35% overall compared to last year. We’re working with our university colleagues and will be submitting an impact report to the new Welsh Government.  

We will also be challenging them to end the cliff-edge of regional integration funding. Where programmes have demonstrated positive benefits to patient care, health boards must plan earlier to enable these successes to continue. Sadly, too much occupational therapy experience is being lost as these programmes come to an end and patient care is reduced. 

In positive news the new Welsh Government Chief AHP Officer is expected to start over the summer.  

I look forward to working with members to ensure your experience, insights and voice are heard by the new Welsh Government and Senedd members through consultation responses, oral evidence and engagement activities at the Senedd.