Representing you and our profession – November 2025

As part of OT Week, we held a roundtable event with OTs, Members of the Senedd (MSs) and their staff. 

OTs from across Wales presented elevator pitches to the meeting, demonstrating the power of OT in their services and how – with the MS’ support – we can do more.  

Thank you to Alex Gigg, Paula Curtis, Gwenno Rowlands, Natalie Bell, Victoria Newman, Rachel Davey and Jon Fisher for taking the time to prepare for and attend the event.  

There was a selection of MSs who came along to listen or have a photo with our selfie square, including the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, Plaid Cymru health spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS and former First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gethin MS. 

See the photos on our Bluesky account

The Welsh Government launched a review into maternity services in Wales with the establishment of a Maternity and Neonatal Oversight Panel. The review comes about after issues were raised by families over the failings of some maternity services.  

Sadly, the panel failed to include an Allied Health Professional (AHP) representative. After raising our concerns with the Welsh Government and the chair of the panel, they have decided to ensure an AHP is included in the expert review group, which supports the work of the panel. 

I’m delighted that occupational therapist, Amada Lawes, with her vast knowledge and experience has been selected to sit on the expert group. 

The OT Week Senedd event also provided an opportunity for Gwenno Rowlands to speak directly to the Cabinet Secretary about the work of OTs in neonatal. The Minister asked several questions and made clear that he now understood the role of OTs in supporting families and premature babies.

There was no better month than November, with the focus on occupational theory for OT Week and the annual campaign, for the Welsh Advancing Healthcare Awards (AHAs). It was a privilege to announce the Allied Health Professionals Federation (AHPF) Cymru sponsored award at the ceremony and to meet Allied Health Professionals and senior health board leaders from across Wales. 

Out of the seven categories, OTs took home the silverware in three. Huge congratulations to all the OT winners. See the photos and find out more about their project on RCOT Communities. 

The AHAs will be returning next year – could your project be a winner next year?

Find out more

We were pleased to be invited to join the Expert Advisory Group for the Long Term Conditions Strategy. This means we’ll be around the table, making sure occupational therapy is considered by decision makers when writing policy. We’ll be championing our contribution to prevention, early intervention, self-management and long-term wellbeing as part of the strategy. 

This month we also presented at Rise4Disability, alongside RCOT member Jill Pritchard. 

Together, we showcased the Right Time, Right Support campaign and highlighted how OTs are already delivering effective preventative and early intervention approaches across services. 

Events like this allow us to connect with practitioners, partners and the wider public – demonstrating how occupational therapists provide practical, person-centred solutions that reduce pressure on health and care systems.

Jackie Baillie MSP lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament formally recognising the profession and our campaign. This reinforces that occupational therapy is essential to a sustainable, person-centred future. 

The motion, “Celebrating the Contribution of Occupational Therapists” (S6M-19402), marked OT Week 2025 and welcomes our Right Time, Right Support campaign. It acknowledges the role occupational therapists play across Scotland’s health and social care system – from rehabilitation and hospital discharge to housing, mental health, education and community-based care. 

This recognition in Holyrood reinforces that occupational therapy is not an optional add-on, but a core and essential part of a sustainable, person-centred health and social care future.