National Assembly for Wales Election

The elections are over and the 60 Members of the National Assembly for Wales have been elected

This is the result of the Welsh election held on 5 May 2011 for the 60 Assembly Members (AMs). The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales and holds the Welsh Government to account.

Labour (30)
Conservative (14)
Plaid Cymru (11)
Liberal Democrat (5)

Welsh Assembly Government

The Labour Party won exactly half the seats and has decided to govern alone in a minority government. The Welsh Assembly Government has been renamed the Welsh Government.

First Minister Carwyn Jones (Also responsible for Delivery Unit, Energy, Wales for Africa, Intergovernmental Relations, Wales in the World, European Union & Civil Service Reform
Health and Social Services Lesley Griffiths
Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas
Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis
Environment and sustainable Development John Griffiths
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes Alun Davies
Education and Skills Leighton Andrews (also Welsh Language)
Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert
Business, Enterprise and Technology Edwina Hart
Local Government, Social Justice and Transport Carl Sargeant
Finance and Leader of the House Jane Hutt
Chief Whip Janice Gregory

A summary of what the result might mean for OTs

The Labour party was in government prior to the election, in coalition with Plaid Cymru, so at least some continuity of direction is to be expected. This will mean a continuation of the drive to move services towards the citizen: greater primary care provision, more services based in the community and delivered closer to people’s homes. The aim will be to intervene earlier and to maximise the use of resources. According to the Labour Manifesto the following will be the priority for government:
Health

Improving delivery, quality and effectiveness: tackling variations in access and clinical care; drive up the quality of patient care; ensure effective use of resources and meet national standards.
Increase community/ primary care services: providing services as close to people’s homes as possible, generating easier access to primary care; maximizing people’s ability to remain in primary care and out of hospital.
Everyone with long term/ chronic conditions will have a key worker and an individual care plan.
Access to high quality stroke rehabilitation
Development of a flexible workforce: ensuring workforce meets service users needs, including providing services 24/7
Veterans: will continue to have priority for NHS services and develop mental health services for veterans
Use the legislative powers delivered by the Mental Health Measure to ensure modern, user-focused care is consistently in place.
Raise awareness of mental health issues amongst employers and employees so that those with mental health problems can gain and retain employment.
Continue to improve care and support for people with dementia and their families.
Continue to move away from institutionalised environments, focusing on effective community based care, other than in the most serious and exceptional circumstance

Social care

Maintain integrated social services departments with a strong family orientation.
Require a much more strategic approach to commissioning, especially of specialist services which we intend to see commissioned on a regional or all-Wales basis wherever possible.
Develop consortia delivery of social care services (Departments will work together on a regional basis)
Introduce a Social Services Act to improve coherence and clarity of services and take forward proposals in ‘Sustainable Social Services: A framework for action’ including reablement services
Introduce a National Outcomes Framework for social care providers.
Review the leadership training available to social work and social care managers in Wales with a view to establishing a suitable qualifications framework for leaders.

What BAOT will be doing to promote the profession post-election

Writing to all successful Assembly Members in relevant departments to introduce ourselves and profession.

arrange meetings with new ministers, Health committee members/ spokespeople
scrutinise the party manifesto’s to identify our messages and then work to see implementation
work with other AHP Policy Officers, Welsh Therapies Advisory Committee and partnership organisations such as Welsh Neurological Alliance and user representative groups
work with occupational therapy networks across Wales, such as the Occupational Therapy Advisory Forum and member networks such as specialist sections to create a strong professional voice
empower COT Members to influence
link members into political process
informing and connecting with Members, what are the issues facing members –what do they want to influence
inspiring members to put COT messages into practice

Members – what can you do?

Be aware of the political process and the parties political messages
Know the messages for occupational therapists and particularly for your area of work. COT has produced some useful information such as ‘10 high impacts’.
Find out who to influence in your organisation? Who decides on service changes? Who is your Executive Director for Therapies and Health Science? – Do they know what you do and the difference it makes?
Find out who your Executive Director for Primary Care and Mental Health is. Do they know what you can do and what a difference you make?
Ensure every patient/ service user understands what you are aiming to do and sees a difference in their lives as a result of your intervention
The people who are working in the Welsh Government and National NHS and social care agencies need to know what occupational therapists can do or are doing. How can we ensure they get relevant information and evidence to demonstrate the value of occupational therapists?
Identify any opportunities where we can help you to influence and get in contact to discuss
Get involved! There are lots of opportunities to get involved in the profession in Wales and there are now many occupational therapists here who are really involved. There is for example the Welsh Board and the new Regional Committee and a number of very active Specialist Sections. Is there a Specialist Section area you feel is missing or would you like to set up a local group?
Think of the people who use occupational therapy services- this is really who we want to influence on behalf of. What can we do to influence on their behalf and prove the value of occupational therapy services?

Get in touch with Ruth.Crowder@cot.co.uk if you have any questions, thoughts or comments