Our influencing priorities in Northern Ireland

Right to Rehab Coalition – RCOT Northern Ireland is a member of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance, a collective of health charities and professional bodies who are committed to delivering a Rehabilitation Framework in Northern Ireland. Our aim is to ensure that everyone has access to rehab when needed and people’s needs can be met locally by having the right workforce and professional leadership in place.

AHPFNI – We are also a member of the Allied Health Professions Federation in Northern Ireland. AHPFNI comprises fourteen professional bodies representing 14 Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). AHPFNI provides collective leadership and representation on common issues that impact its members’ professions.

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.

   

Northern Ireland's specific action plan (PDF, 2.2MB)

In Northern Ireland you can seek to influence:

• Health and Social Care Trusts
• Members of the legislative Assembly (MLAs)
• Executive Ministers
• Department of Health officials

Read our campaigning resources

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Cliona McSherry, Policy and Public Affairs Lead in Northern Ireland 

Cliona has been in post since February 2024. Her background is in health policy and public affairs, she has held senior roles at the Royal College of GPs in Northern Ireland and the NI Confederation for Health and Social Care. Cliona also worked as a political advisor to one of the political parties at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

She works closely with our members to build relationships with the Northern Ireland Executive, Assembly members and third sector organisations as well as leading on campaigns and influencing government policy.

Interested in learning more about our work in Northern Ireland? Contact Cliona on [email protected].

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

All members with a Northern Ireland registered address is a member of the Northern Ireland region. On RCOT Communities, you can join the Northern Ireland regional network, as part of your RCOT membership benefits, along with a range of other professional and practice networks. The Northern Ireland regional 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.

Follow the RCOT Policy NI BlueSky account