The policy paper announced in Westminster last week, Our plan for patients, misses an opportunity to make a real difference in cutting waiting times and improving access to services in England.
The Secretary of State could have announced the extension of prescribing responsibilities to occupational therapists and other allied health professionals. This would reduce the pressures on community-based health.
Although she mentioned mental health support for children and young people, it would have been far better if teamed up with the Education Secretary to ensure that every school in England has access to an occupational therapist. This is vital given the huge increase in children and young people presenting with complex physical, mental health and learning needs.
Above all, she should have outlined measures to reduce the shocking 10% vacancy rate which is one of the key drivers of waiting lists for occupational therapy. There are a range of reasons for this – from pay and conditions to problems with career progression.
We will continue to press the new Government – and their counterparts in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to:
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Challenge the cost of living crisis, in particular for health and social care workers who travel to provide care in people's homes.
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Recruit and retain the health and social care workforce, in particular by providing parity between social care and the NHS.
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Reduce the pressures on community-based health, for example by extending prescribing responsibilities to occupational therapists and other allied health professionals.
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Ensure that children and young people get the therapy support they need. We are encouraged to see mention of this in yesterday's paper, but note that demand for mental health services has risen markedly in the last two years without a corresponding increase in resources.
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Develop solutions to overcome rampant health inequalities, for example by publishing the long-delayed health disparities white paper. Action to reduce health inequalities is needed today.