It’s Occupational Therapy Week 2021 - and we’re calling for health equity

This year, Royal College of Occupational Therapists are launching their new health equity campaign #OTsForEquity for Occupational Therapy Week.

As a profession, occupational therapists are on the frontline of health equity and are uniquely placed to understand and tackle the challenges people face. 

Occupational therapists see health inequalities every day, supporting and helping those most in need. 

The Occupational Therapy Team in the Council carry out assessments for people in their own homes.

They have expertise in designing and adapting homes that can enable people to remain independent and safe, especially those with complex health and social care needs. 

Adapting people’s homes keeps them in their communities, an important part in meeting their social, cultural and support needs. Home adaptations are valuable in overcoming environmental barriers arising not just from physical disabilities, but also from cognitive, neurodevelopmental, sensory and psychological needs.

Some examples of adaptations in the home could include putting a lift in to get to the upstairs, providing equipment for the bath or having a bathroom adaptation, or making the property more accessible with ramps or shallow stairs.

The team works with people in any tenure of property and links with other agencies who may need to carry out works. This ensures that those who need it, can access the equipment or adaptations.

The College is calling on governments, healthcare leaders and commissioners to recognise the invaluable work of our Occupational Therapists, and to provide a long-term strategy.