The Royal College of Occupational therapists (RCOT) has gathered the support of MPs from across the UK’s political spectrum for its call for the Health Secretary to prioritise rehabilitation for those affected by COVID-19.
RCOT is expecting a ‘tidal wave' of demand for rehabilitation services in the near future and have been working closely with the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, for health and wellbeing, Munira Wilson MP, alongside parliamentarians from Labour, the Conservative party, the SNP and the DUP to make the case for rehabilitation. In particular RCOT are demanding more investment and action from the government to help the people who have had COVID-19, those that have existing rehabilitation needs and the people whose diagnoses and treatment has been delayed as a result of the pandemic.
In the letter, parliamentarians have asked that:
- People being discharged from hospitals have timely access to personalised rehabilitation services.
- The needs of those suffering from non-Covid-19 related conditions will not be compromised as a result of the increase in Covid-19 rehabilitation needs.
- A strategy is put in place to expand the multidisciplinary rehabilitation workforce to deliver ongoing rehabilitation in the long term.
- Action is taken to support the 1.5 million people who have been asked to self-isolate for the (minimum) 12-week period, many of whom will be unable to access rehabilitation conventional ways and will need new support.
The letter also calls on the Government to do more to protect the safety of occupational therapists, who are frontline allied health professionals, by ensuring access to personal protective equipment.
Chief Executive of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Julia Scott, said:
“Rehabilitation is the word of the moment. As the UK gets to grips with the impact of COVID-19, we expect the demand on rehabilitation services will grow significantly and the UK will be faced with a tidal wave of need that the work of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other key allied health professions will be at the forefront of and be uniquely placed to help with.
“It is fantastic to see parliamentarians from five political parties coming together to highlight the importance of rehabilitation. The Royal College is working closely with other professional bodies and charities on this matter, which just shows the breadth of support prioritising rehabilitation has in the health and care agenda.”
Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson said:
“For those who are gravely ill with COVID-19 but are fortunate to recover, a long period of rehabilitation is likely to be essential. Yet allied health professionals, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, are already under massive pressure and face a mounting backlog of cases - many are deeply concerned about what lies ahead.
“That is why we are calling on ministers to make clear what steps are in place to further shore up this sector, and to recruit and retain the multidisciplinary workforce essential to delivering ongoing rehabilitation long term.”
A copy of the letter can be found here.