Occupational therapy assessment and intervention is of key importance for many people with long term conditions (chronic conditions in Wales)
Occupational therapists are trained holistically. Therefore we are well placed to assist clients overcome, manage and come to terms with both the physical and psychological aspects of their conditions.
Long-term conditions include many illnesses and disabilities, ranging from arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and epilepsy to spinal cord injury, stroke and Parkinson's.
This network has been set up for BAOT/COT members working with people with long term conditions
You may be aware of other e-mail networks run by COT, which include mental health, learning disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, telehealth/telecare and the social services network.
The aims of this network include:
Guidance has been developed to promote the Allied Health Professionals’ roles in delivering quality services
The National Allied Health Professional Advisory Board (England)
The National Allied Health Professional Advisory Board was set up to inform decision making within the Department of Health. Many of the principles underlying achieving better outcomes for people with long term conditions, such as shared decision making, ensuring return to optimum function and promoting independence are fundamental for many Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), including occupational therapists, and it is important that decisions are influenced by this. The aims of NAHPAB include:
In the UK there has been a change of focus in the delivery of health services from the speed and timeliness of care to the quality of that care
With this change in focus there is also a new drive to measure quality in order to improve it, particularly in England.
Quality Metrics (England)
A quality metric is defined as anything for which data or information is collected about your service, either routinely, periodically or as a one off, and which tells you something about the quality of those services in the widest sense. Data can include:
Enabling self management is of key importance for people with long term conditions
Expert Patient Programmes (EEPs)
Expert Patient Programmes (England, Wales) were introduced in 2001 and were also identified in the National Service Framework for long term conditions in 2005 as a key strategy to improve the management of long term conditions.
Northern Ireland's system is characterised by greater intergration of health and social care than occurs in other UK countries
Health and Social Services are of key importance for the devolved government in part because they make up such a large proportion of its overall budget. The recent restructuring of health and social care has resulted in a more centralised system.
Eighteen Trusts have been reconfigured into five new Trusts which are responsible for all areas of health provision, including primary care, secondary care, community health care and mental health services. Additionally, a new Public Health Agency has been introduced.
