2011 Election Manifesto

The College launched a manifesto for the devolved administration elections in 2011

BAOT members in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland had the opportunity to cast their vote for their respective MSPs, AMs or MLAs in the recent elections. COT created an election manifesto to support BAOT members who were attempting to raise key occupational therapy issues with candidates.
 
Occupational therapists enable social inclusion, recovery and independent living. The daily activities and occupations many of us take for granted, such as looking after our families, ourselves, going to work and enjoying our leisure pursuits give meaning and purpose to our lives.
 
When something interferes with these activities our health, wellbeing and ability to participate in our family or community may suffer. This could be due, for example, to depression following redundancy, disability, a long-term health condition, dementia, homelessness, a serious injury, or the cumulative effects of ageing.
 
Whatever the reason, occupational therapists are there to enable people to take back control of their lives. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages wherever they experience difficulty – at home, at school or college, at work or leisure.
 
Occupational therapists are trained in physical and mental health conditions. They analyse the activities and functions of living, working and playing. They are valued for their ability to work in and across agencies such as health, social care, housing, education and work.
 
High levels of long-term ill-health, economic inactivity and an increasingly ageing population will place unsustainable demands on health and social care services. Occupational therapy offers a solution.
 
Download the 2011 Election Manifesto
 
Download the 2011 Election Manifesto (Welsh version)