From manifesto to action

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Thank you to OTs Abby Hewitt, Beth Studley and Jane Widdowson from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for taking North Wales Senedd Member Sam Rowlands on our first ‘Meet the OT’ experience.

The MS met with the Primary Care OT service and the inpatient OT team at Deeside Community Hospital to learn about the innovative approaches being used to support participation in daily life, before heading on a home visit to look at equipment needs and breathlessness management strategies.

These ‘ride-alongs’ are a fantastic way to promote occupational therapy to elected representatives as they get first-hand experience of what being an OT is like and what needs to be done to make sure the full benefits of OT are realised. 

Following the elections, we’ll be promoting these experiences to all the MSs.

If you’d like to take part, please email [email protected].

The Welsh Government commissioned a review last year into neonatal and maternity services in the Welsh NHS, following failings in care which led to avoidable deaths of babies and unnecessary suffering of parents and families.

Following publication last week, the review found that staffing levels, insufficient national leadership and planning had caused some ‘key vulnerabilities and weaknesses’ in maternity services. The Welsh Government have accepted the findings of the report.

Crucially, the review made two clear proposals relating to AHPs.

Firstly, that AHPs are a part of a Perinatal Stakeholder Group, which will meet quarterly and feeds into the National Strategic Oversight Board. 

Secondly, at a national level, there should be the development and implementation of a workforce planning tool to mirror and integrate with the British Association of Perinatal Medicine standards for neonatal services. This should include adequate levels of AHPs and replace the current mandatory use of Birthrate Plus®.

We have welcomed the review, but have called for AHPs to be represented on the National Strategic Oversight Board as well.

The inclusion of AHPs would not have been possible without the work of neonatal OT Amanda Lawes.

Amanda was included in the stakeholder group for the review following representations by AHPF Cymru, when no AHPs were included on the review’s panel. Thank you Amanda!

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It was also timely that OT Gwenno Rowlands spoke with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care at our OT Week event in the Senedd, telling the Minister directly the vital impact OTs have in neonatal and maternity care. 

The recommendations and the Welsh Government’s response can be found on their website.

It’s been nearly eight months since Ruth’s retirement, but the end may be in sight for someone to take over the role.

The Welsh Government has confirmed that it will be readvertising the role and that it will happen before the Senedd elections in May.

The news comes after a sustained campaign calling for the Welsh Government to appoint a new Chief AHP Officer for Wales, which saw over 250 AHPs write to the First Minister, numerous written and oral questions in the Senedd and letters to the Health Minister and Chief Executive of NHS Wales. 

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February saw the Welsh Conservatives descend upon the jewel in the crown of North Wales, Llandudno, for their spring conference. 

I attended on behalf of AHPF Cymru, which represents the 15 allied health professions in Wales, speaking to Members of the Senedd, candidates for the elections in May, local councillors, peers and MPs. 

We raised with them the need to have a workforce plan for Wales, supported by accurate data and a plan which guarantees safe staffing levels.

Many people were keen to support the move to community and primary care, recognising the benefits to individuals, the health service and the wider economy. 

You can check out our photos on the AHPF Cymru LinkedIn page.

Whilst the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is still going through the House of Lords and is not yet law, the Senedd voted to approve the Welsh NHS providing assisted dying services. 

If the Senedd had voted against the legislative consent motion (LCM) – the mechanism for the Welsh Government to allow the UK Government to take action in Wales – and the UK Bill became law, it could have meant that private organisations and charities could have supported people to die, but not the Welsh NHS.

The vote does not mean that assisted dying can take place in Wales – that can only happen through a change in the law by the UK parliament.

There’s still time to have your say on the future of dementia services in Wales.

The Welsh Government has launched a 10-year strategy on improving dementia care. 

We’ve created a shortened survey for members to give us your experience and views. 

Check out the consultation on the Wales RCOT Communities network.