Review of Occupational Health Services in the HPSS (PDF 387 KB)

Supporting a Healthy Workforce

Occupational Therapy Review January 2004 (PDF 55 KB)

Workforce Planning Review

Occupational Therapy Review March 2003 (PDF 350 KB)

Workforce Planning Review

Comprehensive Review of the HPSS Occupational Therapy Workforce (PDF 429 KB)

Report of the Project Group

National Therapy Research Strategy

National Therapy Research Strategy The Expert Group Report on Various Health Professionals (2000) recommended that the Therapy Advisory Unit in the Department of Health and Children once established, take a lead role in determining how best to improve the quality of therapy services. The Therapy Advisory Unit was established in 2004 and advises the Minister on six therapy professions including; Dietetics, Orthoptics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry/Chiropody and Speech and Language Therapy. Click here to download PDF 3.4mb

Shaping the future: applying therapy research to practice

In these challenging financial times the use of research as a basis for effective health and social care cannot be overstated. 'Shaping the Future', a joint Public Health Agency and University of Ulster workshop (27 January) takes a fresh look at research within the Allied Health Professions (AHPs) to improve the care and experiences of people across Northern Ireland.The AHPs provide a wide range of services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, podiatry, speech and language therapy and orthoptics.The nature of their work enables AHPs to carry out research that can rapidly benefit patient care and experience. 'Shaping the Future' will look at priorities for new AHP research and consider how existing research can be more effectively shared and used in health and social care development, rather than perhaps being limited to the academic world.Speaking at the event, Professor Bernie Hannigan, Director of Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D), aDivision of the PHA, said: "A sound base of evidence from research is vital for effective health and social care practice. I welcome this study as an important resource that will help generate new evidence and highlight the potential for existing evidence to be applied in practice. The evidence base points to beneficial innovations that use the most up-to-date knowledge and keep the service user at the centre of care practices. At this event, health and social care policy makers, commissioners, academics and researchers will be able to consider how they can do and use research to ensure our AHP services deliver the best outcomes for patients and are sufficiently cost-effective to be sustained."A recent study funded by HSC R&D was carried out by the University of Ulster working closely with leading AHPs, key stakeholders and service users* from throughout Northern Irealnd. Presenting the results of this study at the 'Shaping the Future' event will help to identify ways to gather evidence and contribute to innovative projects and programmes.Professor Suzanne McDonough, of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre at the University of Ulster, said: "In our study we used the Delphi technique, which is a structured process using a series of questionnaires, to gather information and gain consensus from AHP groups, stakeholders and service users."The results identified seven major priority areas for research. These ranged from: the need for more practice evaluation particularly in the areas of mental health, cancer, obesity; diabetes; chronic disease management (especially stroke and brain injury); the role of AHPs in health promotion; service delivery issues such as access to services and waiting times. This study provides an important road map for AHP research priorities. It is the first step in the process of identifying what research still needs to be undertaken, what research already exists but needs to be translated, and some of the processes that need to be in place to ensure that research is an integral part of the day-to-day practice of AHPs and of service delivery."

Optimising Mental Health

A Strategic Framework for Occupational Therapy In Mental Health

Current and Future Supply and Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapists

This report aims to provide a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the situation. The three categories of professionals covered are Chartered Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech and Language Therapists Download the Report here

A Delphi study to identify research priorities for the therapy professions in Northern Ireland

A study by the University of Ulster, funded by Health and Social Care Research and Development Division of the Public Health Agency, enabled members of six Allied Health Professions (AHPs) to express opinions on research needs within their areas of expertise.The respondents to 'A Delphi Study to Identify Research Priorities for the Therapy Professions in Northern Ireland', were selected from professionals based in clinical and academic settings in the areas of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, podiatry, nutrition and dietetics and orthoptics. The views of a group of key stakeholders in health and social care and a separate panel of service users were also gathered. A copy of this report, and an Executive Summary,�can be downloaded below.

Report of the Expert Group on Radiography Grades

The Expert Group on Radiography Grades was established in accordance with proposals from the Labour Relations Commission. Its aim was to examine and make recommendations for the future development of the profession and the diagnostic imaging and therapy services which ensure the highest level of patient care is delivered in a modern health environment Download the Report here

Report of the National Working Group on the Regulation of Complementary Therapists to the Minister for Health and Children

The focus of this report is the regulation of complementary therapists and, as such, does not deal directly with the efficacy of such therapies. It is for the consumer to make the choice of which therapy they intend to use. Whether they wish to consult a qualified therapist such as a homeopath or an acupuncturist, a healer, the seventh son of a seventh son, a person reputed to have a cure for a particular ailment or a person with a special skill with bones; the choice is theirs. Read the report (PDF 607kb) Download the accompanying leaflet (PDF 300kb) Note – Re: Page 70. ASK Ireland wish to clarify that the Kinesiology Association of Ireland do not represent the Association of Systematic Kinesiology in Ireland, in any way.

Speech, Language and Communication Therapy Action Plan (2011/12 - 2012/13) - Easy Read (PDF 454 KB)

Easy Read version of Speech, Language and Communication Therapy Action Plan (2011/12 - 2012/13)