Wales policy and public affairs update

By: Paul Smith – Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Wales) 07 July, 2026 Blog 5 minute read

June update – Long-term workforce strategy, new Senedd members and a new CAHPO

Our policy and public affairs lead for Wales, Paul, joined other AHP colleagues at an Y Farchnad stall at the Senedd this month, promoting occupational therapy and wider AHPs.

Keep up to date with the latest policy news

We're helping to make sure occupational therapy is visible in key decisions across Wales – and we want you to be part of that momentum too.

New Welsh Government CAHPO announced

Following the retirement of Ruth Crowder last year, the Welsh Government have been undertaking a recruitment exercise for her replacement.

The voice of AHPs in the Senedd

The Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) is the voice of AHPs in the Welsh Government – promoting the benefits of our professions directly to the Health Minister, the wider government, Welsh NHS and other key partners.

We helped make it happen

We were instrumental in the campaign for the previous Welsh Government to conduct a second recruitment phase, recognising the impact that not having a CAHPO was having on Welsh Government policy and announcements.

Our CEO, Gary Waltham, has written to the new CAHPO, Garth Evans, to start our relationship with him when he starts in August. Gareth is currently the Integrated Health Community Director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Strong relationships with the CAHPOs across the UK

We have strong relationships with the CAHPOs across the UK as key stakeholders for our vision for the profession and will continue that in Wales with Gareth.

Setting out how your services are run

Whilst health boards are independent of the government, the Minister is responsible for setting the direction of travel for how they want to see health and care services run and ensuring that there are resources to match that ambition.

We're ready to work

We have written to the Cabinet Minister expressing our desire to work with the new government on delivering their priorities.

We are clear that any strategy needs to be supported by accurate data on the OT workforce across Wales, including local authorities, education and independent practice.

The plans need to factor in sustainable training places at Welsh universities and explore options to widen the profession – such as degree apprenticeships.

Engaging with new Members of the Senedd

The Senedd elections saw nearly 70 new MSs out of 96 – we’re beginning our engagement with them to promote the benefits of occupational therapy.

Your representatives

MSs hold the government to account by asking questions around their policies, promoting alternatives and holding inquiries into the challenges faced by services and potential solutions.

Working with them and with you

We’re meeting with MSs to talk about the work of RCOT and that of our members across health, social care, local authorities, education and independent practice.

A number of MSs are working with us to undertake ‘Meet the OT’ experiences or visit services in their constituencies.

We’re engaging with the new Senedd committees for health and education to ask them to look at challenges faced by OTs and to hold inquiries to explore in more detail the challenges faced by the profession and users.

Get involved: Maximising your referral to Care & Repair Cymru

Following feedback from members, we’re holding a webinar with Care & Repair Cymru to talk about the services they offer and how you can get people the support they need.

Speed up support

Many OTs send referrals to the individual Care & Repair charities across Wales.

This webinar will help you ensure that referrals are done in the best way to speed up support.

When: 12–1pm, Wednesday 15 July

Where: Online

Connect with other Welsh OTs on RCOT Communities or at a drop-in

RCOT Communities is your space to:

connect with local professionals
share resources, news and opportunities
plan influencing work.

Log in – RCOT Wales Communities discussion

Download the RCOT Communities app

Prefer a tea and a chat?

Join our last Welsh members drop-in session on Wednesday 8th July.

Sign-up for this informal chat

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