OTnews January 2012
Welcome to the January 2012 issue of OTnews
We kick of this first issue of 2012 with a report from journalist Andrew Mickel on the first day of industrial action taken by BAOT/Unison members in the history of the two organisations’ partnership. I know many of you pledged to join the strike with a heavy heart, but by adding your voice to the hundreds of thousands of other healthcare workers over the issue of pensions, you have undoubtedly added strength in numbers to the campaign (see pages 6 and 20). At the time of going to press, Unison has pledged to continue to campaign for decent pensions, so watch this space for further developments...
One future development within the NHS that is certain to plough on this year and beyond is the government’s vision contained in the old ‘World-Class Commissioning’ programme. On pages 32 to 35, Dr Sidney Chu, paediatric OT service manager and honorary fellow at Brunel University, argues that ‘effective commissioning is a crucial part of transforming community services’, and that OTs will in future need to be well equipped to understand and demonstrate what the provision of a service actually costs. Dr Chu details some of the contracting and currency options out there and looks at how to approach calculating the costs and productivity of a service, using a step-by-step approach. It’s not as complicated as you might think...
Elsewhere we look at some of the more unusual Occupational Therapy Week activities; from a mental health resettlement worker in Lincolnshire, who has formed links with a registered social landlord to promote the benefits of OT, to a ‘Bring a doctor to work day’ in South Staffordshire, organised by a tenacious and determined OT. Thank you to everyone who sent in short articles and photographs of their promotional activities; sadly we are unable to publish them all, but it was fascinating to see the diverse range of activities undertaken that week.
Finally, on pages 16 to 19, we look back at some of the most important developments of 2011 and try to evaluate what they might mean for you in the coming year; from unprecedented industrial action, to the running parliamentary battles over the Health and Social Care Bill, to integration in Scotland, new powers for the Welsh Assembly, new priorities in Northern Ireland, and new professional opportunities for occupational therapists.
- 2011: a year in review - The year’s most important developments
- Environment matters - An OT’s experience of dementia design audit
- Occupational Therapy Week - Occupational Therapy Week
- Leading a fulfilling life - A pilot group on acceptance and commitment therapy
- Are you ready for World-Class Commissioning? - Dr Sindney Chu demonstrates how to cost services
- ‘Soup’: an anthology of tasty morsels - Creative writing groups to reduce hospital admissions
- How do you like you eggs in a morning? - Students facilitate a breakfast engagement project
- Occupational justice and the environment - Visiting Japan to learn about Minamata disease
- Help for Happy’s - One OT student’s experience of an international placement
- Finding creativity in overseas placements - Rewards and challenges of practice placements
- Honing skills as future practitioners - University of Cumbria forge links with acclaimed care group
- Harnessing sustainable opportunities for OT - The Bethlam Orchard Project
