Issue 2
November 2016
Welcome to issue 2 of the newly formed Scottish Eastern Regional Committee e-newsletter!
SPOTLIGHT
Social and networking event:
The Scottish Eastern Region's inaugural Curry Night has been agreed for 25th November 2016. Table
booked for 6.15pm at Kushi’s,10 Antigua St, Edinburgh EH1 3NH. We are looking forward to our first social
and meeting our members!
CPD EVENTS
CPD events:
Upcoming future committee meetings:
19/1/17
16/3/17
18/5/17
20/7/17
21/9/17
All provisionally to be held at Westerhailes Healthy Living Centre at 17.45/18.00 start.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE
COT Scottish Eastern Region Launch - 23rd September 2016:
Members report on event, written by Rosie Freeden & Sasha Noel: "We had a wonderful time at the COT Scottish Eastern Branch launch event. The afternoon was full of
inspiring speakers, great handouts and excellent food in an easily accessed, vibrant location. The speakers
brought a wealth of different fascinating ideas and information. They gave clear and practical advice on how
to promote occupational therapy within our workplace and wider community. On the other hand, a Essential
Briefing is a tool to gather the pertinent occupational therapy information and key references on a specific
topic. There was an emphasis on maintaining an occupation-centred approach in all stages of the
occupational therapy process with our service-users. It was really helpful to hear the difference between
being occupation focused and occupation based on the foundations this approach and to come up with ideas
of how to maintain that in our daily practice. There was ample opportunity to learn from each other, to
network, and to share experiences between the wide range of occupational therapists working with different
client groups, in different settings and at different stages within their career.
Overall we both came away from this event feeling inspired and motivated to develop as occupational
therapists, and to promote the value of occupational therapy within our workplaces and beyond.
Incidentally we now have posters up all over the office, and no email is sent without a reminder at the end of
how valuable occupational therapy is!"
(l-r) Gabby Stewart (Scotland - Policy Officer), Hannah Cairns (Chaiman), Heather Lamb (Membership
Networks Lead - role-share), Kelly Murray (Student/New Graduate Representative), Rico Kosedy (Career
Promotions Lead/Secretary - role-share), Claire Tester (UK COT Regional Forum Lead), Andrea Powell
(Membership Networks Lead - role-share), Charlie Chung (Treasurer), Lauren Dalgleish (Career Promotions
Lead/Secretary - role-share), Stacey Abraham (COT UK Membership Engagement Officer)
Scottish Eastern in Western Australia:
Scottish Eastern Committee Treasurer, Charlie Chung, attended the Occupational Therapy Australia
Conference in June to present his work and research on executive function. With the theme of "Breaking
Down Barriers Through Participation" the Conference programme included many diverse and fascinating
aspects of occupational therapy. Natural supports to enhance mental health recovery, use of garden
labyrinths to provide spaces of hope, robotics for children's upper limb movement recovery, neuromodulation
of pain, thermoregulation and circadian cycles in relation to sleep and the meaning of home adaptation to
individuals were only a few of the aspects of occupational therapy that were showcased as breaking down
barriers through participation to enhance participation in occupation.
Charlie Chung's work on the development of an occupational therapy framework for profiling individuals'
executive function during task performance was presented on day one and its application
to stroke rehabilitation was delivered in a two hour workshop on day two of the Conference. This related to
the theme on the basis that executive dysfunction is often a hidden barrier preventing participation and using
the framework. Executive Function Task Application Model, may be of value in determine how individuals
apply executive function at each task stage to determine the specific interventions to be used. The
individualisation of intervention was reinforced with the message that if two people present with executive
dysfunction, they may require different interventions. One person might require concept formation work if
understanding of situation is affected whereas the second person's concept formation may be adequate but
difficulty with coordinating information during a task may emphasise the need for working on memory training.
Following the Conference, Charlie Chung completed his "long weekend" in Australia by delivering two soldout full day workshops on executive function rehabilitation to occupational therapists from across Western
Australia.
How can the group improve for our members?
We at the Scottish Eastern Regional Group are seeking comments and feedback from our members. We are
a relatively new group and are seeking to make the way we communicate with our members as effective as
possible.
Please also email with suggestions and comments on what you would like from your local group. What would
support and encourage your involvement in the region? Are you most interested in CPD, networking, or
contributing to the newsletter to share information? The group runs with and for our members and we
welcome any suggestions and ideas from occupational therapists in the area.
Please email [email protected] with your comments and suggestions of how we can enhance
our group web page and social media for the benefit of our members.
COT NEWS
Occupational Therapy - Improving Lives, Saving Money Campaign:
The Occupational Therapy: Improving Lives, Saving Money campaign report has just been published Reducing the Pressure on Hospitals - the value of occupational therapy in each of the four nations of UK.
You can download the reports from our campaign microsite www.cotimprovinglives.com
COT Annual Conference and Exhibition - 19th - 20th June 2017 - ICC Birmingham:
New location, new venue, new structure:
For the first time The COT Conference will be at the prestigious International Convention Centre (ICC) in the
centre of Birmingham. The Conference structure has been compressed into two days, same content for less
time away from work or studies: great value for all delegates.
Confirmed speakers:
Professor Winnie Dunn, one of the most recognised and respected names in the global occupational therapy
sector. She is author of the Sensory Profile and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile and co-author of the
Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile.
Paul McGee, a personal development pioneer whose distinctive and effective principle - SUMO (Shut Up and
Move On)- will help you think differently about everything you do. Be prepared to learn how to seize
opportunities and reach your potential in your professional and personal lives.
Dr Jennifer Creek, a celebrated occupational therapy researcher and author whose publications have been
essential reading for occupational therapists at all stages of their career.
Tina Coldham has campaigned for a better understanding of mental health issues. She has enduring mental
health issues, and uses her personal experience to inform and influence health and social care professionals.
The Specialist Section – Older People Annual Conference 2017:
Running alongside the College’s Annual Conference, hear the latest developments in this area of practice.
Call for papers:
The abstract system will open in November.
Deadline for submitting abstracts is 20 January 2017.
Conference registration fees now published
Booking system will open by 31 December 2016
Visit www.cotannualconference.org.uk
OT Awards for Education, Research and Continuing Professional Development 2017:
COT has recently published the call for applications for the 2017 round of funding opportunities via the COT
annual awards for education, research and continuing professional development. Full details and application
forms are available from the COT website at: https://www.cot.co.uk/research-development/cot-awards . The
2017 awards are to support activities commencing or taking place during 2017, and applicants must be BAOT
members at the time of applying. The closing date for receipt by COT of applications is 5.00pm on Friday 2
December 2016.
Funding is available to support a range of member activities including, for example:
practice evaluations innovative or developmental projects an activity to DEMOnstrate the impact of
occupational therapy dissemination of research or practice at international conferences small research
projects
Any enquiries about the 2017 COT annual awards should be addressed to the R&D Administrator
at: [email protected] or tel 020 7450 2323
Occupational Therapy Evidence Fact Sheet.
A new occupational therapy evidence fact sheet, Vocational Rehabilitation, is now available on the COT
website at: https://www.cot.co.uk/occupational-therapy-evidence-fact-sheets .
New resources on the Learning Zone:
The Learning Zone has had a makeover! Please take time to have a look at some of the resources that may
be of use to you when planning study events. In particular, under the tab ‘Toolkit for self-directed learning’
you will find templates for hosting a https://www.cot.co.uk/ot-helps-you/hosting-casson-memorial-lecturecritical-film-night and a debate session. More products will be added and if you have any ideas of items you
would like included, please do not hesitate to contact us, via the learning zone landing
page https://www.cot.co.uk/learning-zone.
Please see COT at Facebook and Twitter Get
tweeting! https://www.facebook.com/baotcot, http://twitter.com/baotcot
Please see BAOT at Facebook and Twitter Get
tweeting! www.facebook.com/baotcot, http://twitter.com/baotcot
CONTACTS
Committee Chairman: Hannah Cairns
Email: [email protected]
(c) Copyright 2016
College of Occupational Therapists.
All rights reserved.