Our influencing priorities in Cymru/Wales

2026 Senedd Manifesto (PDF, 2.03MB)

AHPF Cymru represents 15 of the Allied Health Profession in Wales, which collectively make up a third of the Welsh NHS workforce. Together we speak as united voice to Welsh Government and the Welsh NHS on issues that matter to our respective members. 

Welsh NHS Confederation Health and Wellbeing Alliance brings together over fifty organisations from the Welsh NHS, local government, healthcare, social care, the royal colleges and the professions. Together we are a collaborative independent voice which seeks to address issues affecting our members.

Meet an OT seeks to engage RCOT Members with Members of the Senedd (MSs) through a day in the life of an OT, showing first hand the benefits of occupational therapy in improving people’s lives.

We respond to policy and regulatory consultations from a variety of organisations — including government departments, health bodies, professional regulators, and other key stakeholders — to make sure the voice of occupational therapy is heard where decisions are made.

Explore our previous consultation responses

Our vision is for an expanded occupational therapy workforce – positioned to have maximum impact in improving people's health and quality of life. 

By 2035 we will have an occupational therapy workforce that is:

• confident and skilled in championing inclusion and advocating for occupational justice, focusing on the right of every person to have the choice and opportunity to engage in a diverse range of activities and roles
• based primarily within communities working closely with local populations to meet their health and care needs and ensuring that services are accessible to everyone
• positioned to focus on prevention and early interventions, minimising the need for crisis interventions and dependency on care services
• putting occupations at the forefront of their practice, empowering people to do the occupations that they value, manage their health and care needs and contribute to society.

Read more about our specific aims for Wales in our Welsh action plan.

Workforce Strategy in Cymraeg

Workforce Strategy in English

In Wales you can seek to influence:

• Chairs and CEOs of Health Boards
• Welsh Government Ministers
• Members of the Senedd (MSs)
• Local Government/Councillors
• Welsh Government officials
• Welsh NHS
• HEIW

OT Week resources on influencing

Paul Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Lead for Wales

Paul is responsible for the RCOT's policy and public affairs activities in Wales, engaging with Occupational Therapists across the country and telling their stories to key stakeholders including Welsh Ministers, MSs and local authorities to enact change. 

With over 10 years’ experience in Welsh politics, including in the Senedd as the Chief of the Staff to the Official Opposition, Paul works closely with policymakers to provide a strong voice for OTs in supporting RCOT’s focus on improving preventative care and early intervention.

Interested in learning more about our work in Wales? Contact Paul on [email protected].

RCOT Communities is where you can connect, share, and learn with diverse members based on your nation, practice area, career level or professional interests. 

All members with a Wales registered address are a member of the Wales network. On RCOT Communities, you can join the Wales Network, as part of your RCOT membership benefits, along with a range of other professional and practice networks. The Wales network offers members a valuable space to share learning, foster professional connections, and shape the future of occupational therapy together. 

The Innovation Hub is an open network for curious minds. Whether you have a new idea, a fresh perspective on the provision of occupational therapy or you've developed your own solution, we're here to support you.

RCOT Cymru/Wales BlueSky account