UK and England policy and public affairs update

What’s happening?

Neighbourhood health continues to be a major focus in England, with growing emphasis on shifting more care and support into communities and closer to where people live.

Over the summer, we’ve been developing RCOT’s position on neighbourhood health with members, drawing on their experience of what effective neighbourhood working looks like in practice.

Why this matters to you

Occupational therapists are already working in neighbourhood and community settings to support prevention, independence, rehabilitation, self-management and joined-up care.

As neighbourhood health develops, it is important that occupational therapy is recognised as central to helping people live well at home, stay connected to their communities and access the right support at the right time.

What we’re doing

We’ve responded to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Allied Health Professionals’ inquiry on neighbourhood health, making the case for occupational therapy’s role in delivering community-based, preventative and person-centred care.

We’re also compiling case studies with examples of neighbourhood working, which we’ll begin sharing on our website from next month to showcase the impact occupational therapists are already having across local communities.

Looking ahead

The autumn parliamentary term is expected to be busy, with both the Health Bill and the Schools Bill due to continue their passage through Parliament.

We will monitor both bills closely and look for opportunities to influence as they develop, ensuring occupational therapy is recognised in debates on health reform, children and young people, education, prevention and support in communities.

What’s happening?

The Health Bill continues its passage through Parliament alongside wider reform affecting children and young people – including education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

We’ve sent a briefing to Ministers on our wider concerns and priorities for the Bill, and have also contributed to the Disabled Children’s Partnership briefing on EHCPs.

Why this matters to you

Occupational therapists play an important role in supporting children and young people with additional needs across home, school and community settings.

EHCPs are one route through which children and families access therapy and support, so it is important that reform protects access to occupational therapy and recognises the value of early intervention, transitions and participation in everyday life.

The Health Bill will also bring in wider reforms to the health system, which are likely to affect how occupational therapists work and influence services in the future.

What we’re doing

We’re monitoring the Bill and related reforms closely, making sure occupational therapy is reflected where there are implications for children’s services, rehabilitation, neighbourhood health and the workforce.

We’ve used our ministerial briefing and our input into the Disabled Children’s Partnership briefing to highlight these points.

We’re also keeping in touch with other professional bodies on the Bill’s prescribing provisions, which could make future changes to non-medical prescribing easier but do not yet guarantee any extension of prescribing rights.