RCOT Policy Northern Ireland
rcotpolicyni.bsky.social
RCOT Policy Northern Ireland
@rcotpolicyni.bsky.social
Policy and public affairs updates from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists in Northern Ireland.

Account run by Cliona McSherry, RCOT Northern Ireland Policy and Public Affairs Lead.
Fantastic couple of days celebrating #OTWeek with members in Belfast and South Eastern Trusts. Inspiring showcase of the life changing power of occupational therapy #RightTimeOT #OTWeek25 💚
November 6, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Grateful to Linda Dillon MLA, member of the Health Committee, for her powerful statement at Stormont today marking #OTWeek 💚

Occupational therapists drive recovery, independence & system change. Let’s invest in the future of health & social care #RightTimeOT @thercot.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
#RightTimeOT NI's Reset Plan aims to bring care closer to home. OTs are already doing it, supporting people to live well, avoid hospital and recover safely at home. To build a prevention-first system that meets real needs, occupational therapy must be central to future planning. #OTweek25
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Thank you to our Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA for this fantastic video in support of #OTWeek #RightTimeOT @thercot.bsky.social
The Health Minister has thanked occupational therapists on Occupational Therapy Week for their "incredible" work.

Minister Nesbitt said OTs helped patients live "life to the fullest" through their compassion and commitment. @thercot.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by RCOT Policy Northern Ireland
What if we stopped waiting for crisis? 💭

OT at the right time helps people stay well for longer, preventing problems before they escalate.

Right Support, Right Time: Unlocking the Power of OT shows why OT support at the right time changes everything:https://loom.ly/993ED8g

#OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Happy OT Week to all of my amazing colleagues in Northern Ireland. Today, we launched our new annual campaign Right Support, Right Time: Unlocking the Power of OT 💚
What if we stopped waiting for crisis? 💭

OT at the right time helps people stay well for longer, preventing problems before they escalate.

Right Support, Right Time: Unlocking the Power of OT shows why OT support at the right time changes everything:https://loom.ly/993ED8g

#OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT
November 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Great to spend yesterday at Ulster University in Magee with Dolores, one of the amazing lecturers and 50 fantastic future occupational therapists. Too busy chatting to get many pics but amazing conversations about the future of the profession 💚 lots of excitement ahead of OT Week on Monday!
October 31, 2025 at 11:47 AM
What a fabulous, uplifting night at the AHP Awards- celebrating our amazing occupational therapists and all the AHP community
October 23, 2025 at 8:58 PM
What a fabulous, uplifting night at the AHP Awards- celebrating our amazing occupational therapists and all the AHP community
October 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Our indefatigable Chief AHP Officer Prof Michelle Tennyson talking about the many ways that allied health professionals can support people to attain or stay in employment. Great shout out for the fantastic Condition Management Programme
October 16, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Great panel today at #NICON25 with the Chief AHP Officer Michelle Tennyson and senior civil servants Mike Farrar and Paddy Rooney, discussing economic inactivity and how health professionals can better help people back to work. Occupational therapists well positioned to support
October 16, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Fantastic to hear Prof Sir Michael Marmot this morning at #nicon2025
October 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Minister for Health making clear that budget position of a 600million deficit is not sustainable and stating he has asked the Northern Ireland Executive for additional funding
October 15, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Minister for Health taking the stage at #nicon2025
October 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Great to be at #nicon2025 and looking forward to speaking to many of the 600 delegates about the life-changing power of occupational therapy 💚
October 15, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Happy #AHPsDay2025 to all Allied Health Professionals across Northern Ireland!

Alongside fellow professional bodies and trade union partners, we're calling for continued investment, recognition and development of AHP support workers — a vital part of our workforce: loom.ly/ikuHCWI
Optimising the contribution of the Allied Health Professions support workforce 2025
A joint statement from several professional bodies and trade union partners, including RCOT, to strengthen, value and develop the allied health professions support workforce across the UK.
loom.ly
October 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Great to spend this morning at the @duponline.bsky.social conference. Good engagement with Party Leader Gavin Robinson, Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen and Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds about the life-changing impact of occupational therapy 💚 #teamOT
September 20, 2025 at 12:29 PM
What a fantastic venue for the Western Trust OT conference today - Glenpark Estate in Omagh.
September 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Happy #RehabAwarenessWeek

Rehab empowers people to live well at home & in the community. OT-led reablement builds independence & reduces reliance on care.

Through our Workforce Strategy, we’re championing a workforce focused on prevention and early intervention. Read more: tinyurl.com/544cmbpf
Download and accessible versions- workforce strategy
Choose the version of the strategy that works best for you. If you need a different accessible version please let us know.
tinyurl.com
September 15, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Distressed by reports of racist abuse toward colleagues in the Western Trust. RCOT stands firmly against racism in all its forms. To those affected: you are seen, valued, and supported. Please report incidents to police and your employer where appropriate.
September 5, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Who would you love to hear inspire us for the Elizabeth Casson lecture? Have a think and nominate here 👇💚
Nominations are open for the 2026 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 🗣️
Who do you think should take the stage? If you know an occupational therapist who inspires, challenges and champions the profession, we’d love to receive your nomination.

📅 Submit Sunday 14 September: https://loom.ly/y2RnOw8
September 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Yesterday I joined AHP Federation colleagues for a productive meeting with Permanent Secretary @healthdpt.bsky.social and CAHPO discussing the many AHP solutions to our health and social care challenges. Looking forward to regular engagement to improve outcomes for all in NI
August 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
So proud of our amazing member Emma, who delivered an excellent lecture as part of the Feile festival last week.
It was a privilege to speak at the Féile Health Lecture on stroke prevention, recovery and rehab. Techs role in OT rehab was explored alongside Will McLeans story and musical performance.
@niamhkeav.bsky.social @rcotpolicyni.bsky.social
@belfasttrust.bsky.social
@carolinewilson2.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by RCOT Policy Northern Ireland
Really enjoyed the Stroke to Strength lecture at Féile!
@emmadunn1.bsky.social delivered a brilliant talk about stroke recovery and rehab and Will McClean’s told his powerful and personal stroke survivor story! #Féile2025 #OccupationalTherapy
@carolinewilson2.bsky.social @rcotpolicyni.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Reposted by RCOT Policy Northern Ireland
It was a privilege to speak at the Féile Health Lecture on stroke prevention, recovery and rehab. Techs role in OT rehab was explored alongside Will McLeans story and musical performance.
@niamhkeav.bsky.social @rcotpolicyni.bsky.social
@belfasttrust.bsky.social
@carolinewilson2.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 10:31 AM