Committee to hear evidence from occupational therapists as inquiry continues into workforce planning

Occupational therapists will give evidence to an Assembly Committee inquiry on health and social care workforce planning this week.

The Health Wellbeing and Local Government Committee is looking at issues concerning the healthcare workforce in Wales, including shortages of GPs, levels of nursing vacancies filled by bank and agency staff, training places for junior doctors, and the availability of posts for newly qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) such as physiotherapists.  

The College of Occupational Therapists will give evidence to the Committee’s meeting at 9am on Wednesday January 23 in the Senedd.

At the same meeting, Members will consider a letter from Val Lloyd AM, Chair of the Petitions Committee, asking them to request an update from Health Minister Edwina Hart on the progress made by the Welsh Assembly Government in implementing the recommendations of the report published by the former Health and Social Services Committee on Cancer Services in Wales.  This follows a petition on arrangements for cancer screening in Wales. More details can be found here.

Jonathan Morgan AM, Chair of the Health Committee, said: “I am looking forward to hearing the evidence of the College of Occupational Therapists and I am sure it will be a valuable contribution to what I am determined will be a wide-ranging and effective inquiry into workforce planning.”