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Motion · S6M-18894 · 15 Sep 2025

Margaret Barr Fulton, the UK's First Qualified Occupational Therapist

Lodged by Kevin Stewart Standard Motion 19 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises that it is 100 years since Margaret Barr Fulton MBE took up her role as an occupational therapist at what was then Aberdeen Royal Asylum, and is now known as Royal Cornhill Hospital; notes that Margaret, who was known as "Peg" to her friends, was the first qualified occupational therapist in the UK, having studied at the Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapists; understands that Margaret, who was 25 at the time, was able to shape the occupational therapy profession into what it is today, leading the development of classes in a newly developed army hut on the hospital grounds, and going on to lead exhibitions to give the rest of the medical world insights into her work and educate the public about mental illness; further understands that Margaret was a talented crafter in areas as broad as weaving, woodwork, bookbinding and jewellery-making, and used these talents to find ways to engage patients in whichever activities sparked their interest; notes that Margaret’s numerous achievements throughout her 38-year career, including helping create the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapy, of which she served as secretary, treasurer and later chair, as well as being a founder of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists in 1952, serving as its inaugural president; believes that occupational therapy in Scotland and beyond owes a huge debt of gratitude to the pioneering work of Margaret, and is pleased that her memory lives on today thanks to a new plaque at Royal Cornhill Hospital, as well as the Fulton Clinic and Memorial Garden.

Supporters (19)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.