Lanarkshire health board announces major expansion of primary care occupational therapy service

dailyrecord.co.uk:

NHS Lanarkshire is set to become one of the first health boards in Scotland to provide a primary care occupational therapy (OT) service to all local GP practices.

The health board's Oversight Executive Group approved the proposal to make the current temporary service, permanent. The primary care OT service has been tested in GP practices across the Hamilton and Bellshill localities and will be spread to all areas across Lanarkshire.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Once recruitment has finished, occupational therapists will start to arrive in practices in spring, with the ambition that all local GP practices will have access to an OT by summer.Dr Mark Russell, medical director for South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This is a great investment in primary care and a real benefit for the people of Lanarkshire."This work is part of the implementation of the national GP contract, which aims to refocus the role of the GP and allow them to focus on more complex care.“Some tasks previously carried out by a GP, will now be carried out by other members of the wider primary care multidisciplinary team (including occupational therapists) – where it is safe, appropriate and improves patient care.”Janice McClymont, head of NHS Lanarkshire Occupational Therapy Profession, said: “Early