✅Ask 5:

🔬Support research and innovation to advance practice.

Reminder our AHPFS hustings takes place this Thursday, sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/allied-hea...

✅Ask 4: Invest in tools and technology to deliver better outcomes

✍️Reminder you can sign the open letter and sign up to our hustings event through the links below ⬇️

✅Ask 3: Improve workforce planning and data for better decisions

✍️Support these asks? Show your support by signing our open letter: www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/...

Delighted to add a new half-day workshop on understanding cognition applied to a wide range of settings. Workshops are suitable for all professions, support workers and students. Use the QR code below if you are interested or contact me directly for more information.

✅Ask 2: Expand entry routes to build a sustainable workforce

Reminder that you can also sign up to the AHPFS election hustings, taking place next Thursday 23rd April at 11am: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/allied-hea...

As the main political parties start to publish their manifestos ahead of the Scottish elections, lets take a look back at our 6 asks for the next Scottish Government across the course of the week:

✅Ask 1: Refocus resources to strengthen our community based teams

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants — your voice matters. We have published an open letter calling on Scottish election candidates to back key priorities for health & social care.

Signing the letter helps strengthen these asks. Add your name ✍️ www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/...

🗳️One month today until the Scottish Parliament Elections on May 7!

Reminder of our key asks below. Occupational therapists are part of the solution to our health & social care challenges. Investment in our services is needed to build a healthier and productive Scotland 💚

www.rcot.co.uk/scotland26

Look out for your Member Survey email invite RCOT members – check your inbox for our Member Survey email from email@boxsurveys.net. Ten minutes, anonymous and confidential. Closes 31 March. £200 prize draw.

www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/...

💚New member survey takes just 10 minutes to complete, and your responses are anonymous and confidential.

Your feedback will help shape the future of your RCOT —guiding how funds are used and where we focus our efforts to better support you. Every response matters.

Children’s OTs – we want to hear from you!

If you work with children and young people – we need your insights. Your feedback will help shape future practice and inform our influencing work.

Please complete by: Monday 2 March 2026.

app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/rcot-surve...

Share your insights in our children’s occupational therapy survey 2026 Calling children’s OTs in the UK – especially in schools. Share your insights in our 10 minute survey by Monday 2 March 2026.

Ten days left to share your insights into #childrens #occupationaltherapy

By understanding how services for children & #youngpeople are organised, delivered and what is making it difficult for children and families to access or benefit from #OT support in #Wales.

www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/...

Out now - Your December 25/January 26 OTnews issue 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/4sfZm2U

[Video says 'OTnews: Have you read your December/January issue yet?'. Front cover of OTnews rolls in from the left side. It has two people on it - one looks to be supporting the other who is picking up a glass.]

Text reads: Joint research and placement cafe Experiences of marginalised occupational therapy students. 1-2pm Thursday 11 December

This month, the placement and research cafes come together for a joint event exploring the experiences of marginalised occupational therapy students.

Thursday 11 December 2025, 1-2pm.
Details of how to join: https://loom.ly/05IIkUs

Hi Margaret, I've not seen any messages or replies from your account. Feel free to email me on katie.macgregor@rcot.co.uk if easier.

Did you miss my webinar last month with @dementiacommunity.bsky.social . You can watch Connecting You to Support: Integrating Rehabilitation for People with Dementia on their YouTube channel
🎥 Watch here: buff.ly/kamghI2 @rcotpolicyscot.bsky.social #OTWeek #RightTimeOT

Two weeks and counting and just a few places left. Get in touch if you’re interested before we allocate them to our teams.

AHPs behind the scenes: exploring the role of an occupational therapist | NHSScotland Careers Watch our 360 videos to find out what it's like to be an occupational therapist in the NHS.

To continue celebrations for #OTWeek25 watch this video from NHS Careers about OT behind the scenes. Hear from Michelle, NHS Lothian acute team lead for Children and Young People about her role 📹💚 www.careers.nhs.scot/blog/ahps-be...

Excellent video highlighting some of the wonderful teams occupational therapists work in. Huge well done to all involved 👏💚

Patient feedback YouTube video by NHS Lanarkshire

💭"And trust me, if it's helped me, it'll help you"

Compelling reflections from occupational therapy patient Paul. Improved physical health, improved mental health and Paul has been able to return to work.

This is the power of occupational therapy 💚
#OTWeek25
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaRT...

#RightTimeOT: OT in Scotland 💚
The Scottish Government's Population Health Framework focuses on community-based care. OTs are already working across these services to reduce health inequalities, save money and improve outcomes. To grow community-based services, OT must be central to future planning.

A person stands beside another seated person, offering support with a walking frame in a living room. The image is part of a campaign graphic titled “OT in every nation: Local impact, national relevance,” with #RightTimeOT

Right Support, Right Time – Unlocking the Power of OT is driving change across the UK.

Let’s show how local practice has national impact and why timely support matters. Share your stories, tag us and use #OTWeek25 and #RightTimeOT to join the conversation. 💚

🥳Huge thanks to Jackie Baillie MSP for tabling this motion in the Scottish Parliament celebrating Occupational Therapists. We are grateful for your continued support.

Read more about our campaign on our website: www.rcot.co.uk/support-the-...

#RightTimeOT💚

OT Week 2025 is here!

Across the week we'll be promoting "Right Support, Right Time: Unlocking the Power of OT".

And showcasing the benefits of prevention & early intervention in community care.

#OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT

Find out more and download your OT Week resources: tinyurl.com/mszz497e

A smiling person in a black top appears in a circular photo beside a quote on a white background. The quote reads: “OT is making a real difference, but we need to be at the decision-making table and share stories that show why.” – Dr Charlie Chung. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists logo is at the top left, and the #OTWeek25 3–9 November hashtag is in purple at the bottom right.

Join us as we kick off #OTWeek25 with ‘From crisis to prevention: Leading the future of occupational therapy’ 💚

Hear from OTs across the UK on early intervention, prevention and leadership for the future.

Book your space: https://loom.ly/7C2Y6Ak

#RightTimeOT

♦️Personal Leadership Programme♦️
NOW OPEN for 2026 Cohort

Limited availability so APPLY NOW:
elizabethcasson.org.uk/your-develop...

#Bemoreelizabeth
#ots

Illustrated graphic showing four people enjoying different activities. One person with a prosthetic leg plays guitar, another uses a wheelchair, a child in a green dinosaur costume plays, and another child wearing a cape builds with blocks. Text reads: “#RightTimeOT Two weeks to go!” with Royal College of Occupational Therapists logo and “#OTWeek25 3–9 November.”

⏰ Just two weeks to go until #OTWeek25!

This year’s campaign, Right Support, Right Time, is all about prevention and early intervention – helping people sooner, easing pressure across services and showing how OT is part of the solution. 💚

Explore resources: https://loom.ly/v5YRdHQ

#RightTimeOT

Earlier this year I attend an event which brought together experts from lived experience, healthcare, academia, industry and government to discuss the current evidence around Hospital at Home and where more research is needed. Read the report here:

acmedsci.ac.uk/file-downloa...

#ICYMI A plaque has been unveiled at a north-east hospital to honour Margaret Barr Fulton MBE, the UK’s first qualified occupational therapist.

Read more: www.nhsgrampian.org/news/2025/se...

📽️ Video kindly courtesy of STV News.

@rcotpolicyscot.bsky.social

Our OTs at ESHT say 'everyday is an AHP day'. Celebrating our OT teams and AHP colleagues today and always.
@eshtahps.bsky.social
@rcotpolicyscot.bsky.social
@eshtnhs.bsky.social
#ESHTOT #AHPday

📸Some more lovely photos from our event at RGU last week. It has been so interesting to learn about how occupational therapy was established in the UK and the pioneering role that Margaret Bar Fulton had in it.

Read more in this article: healthandcare.scot/stories/4281...