Royal College of Occupational Therapists Launches Scotland Workforce Strategy Action Plan

That the Parliament welcomes the recent publication by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) of its Scotland workforce strategy action plan; understands that occupational therapists work across the NHS, local authorities, third sector, and within independent practice, and that currently there are over 550 working across NHS Tayside, NHS Forth Valley and NHS Fife; further understands that occupational therapists work with people of all ages and provide interventions for both physical and mental health needs; acknowledges that the action plan outlines the challenges facing the profession, which include but are not limited to growing demand on services and increased pressure, recruitment challenges, limited data to inform workforce planning, lack of financial sustainability, and limited routes into the profession; supports the actions and recommendations within the plan and understands how they will help to improve patient outcomes and workforce challenges across Scotland, and commits to working with RCOT to deliver the action plan.