iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Asking again about when @thercot.bsky.social June AGM minutes will be available to members. The AGM was 13 weeks ago. Assume the minutes were approved at July BAOT/RCOT Council meetings. Really curious about member Q&As.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Same in UK in 2020s *churn CEOs & FOs *decline @thercot.bsky.social membership: 1 in 4 to 1 in 3 OTs *deficit budget with drastic decline in reserves *strange advocacy eg doctor substitute roles *tangible benefits gone, now digital Not yet addressing root causes. Soon be too late?

abctherapeutics.blogspot.com

Maybe People Aren’t Buying What AOTA Is Selling

AOTA held its annual business meeting this week. There were the expected reports about advocacy wins, strategic priorities, publications, co...

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Nostos - fabulous! A perceptive, sensitive way to navigate the boundaries between health, social care and get back to real life. Discharge, relevant to many, not least #OccupationalTherapy personnel. myemail.constantcontact.com/Nostos.html?...

myemail.constantcontact.com

Nostos

Email from nhsManagers.net The journey's end View as Webpage Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Weather IHSCM Academy of Fab' Stuff nhsManagers.net 14th July 2026 What

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The impact of Long Covid, as demonstrated in these figures, is a key reason for asking @thercot.bsky.social to set up an independent commission to review their contribution to the pandemic and the aftermath. x.com/i/status/207...

x.com

tern (@1goodtern) on X

🚨 From the official OECD report on Long Covid. Just devastating: "Lastly, the estimates in this report probably understate the true burden of long COVID. The condition is likely to have wide-reaching ...

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

1/4 Many apologies for a misleading countdown to @thercot.bsky.social AGM 2026 Why? Didn’t spot the new process and deadline: to submit questions a week in advance of the AGM. It was hidden in plain sight in the small print.

Screenshot of instructions about 'submitting questions to the AGM' - 'in advance or on the day' is in bold; but the third paragraph says 'Questions after Thursday 18 June will not be treated as AGM questions unless you attend and ask them on the day'.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

NHS marking it's ebony anniversary today - 78 years of service!

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

1/3 Last countdown to RCOT AGM 12.30 tomorrow Sent 9 questions, to be answered then or afterwards, and recorded in the AGM minutes. 3 about professional matters: * Covid / Long Covid with @JCeoltaSmith * Advanced Practice * Research and science of #OccupationalTherapy

Screenshot of 3 questions submitted to RCOT AGM on 25.6.26.
Each question is followed by a brief context

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

1/3 Ending countdown to @thercot.bsky.social 2026 AGM 12.30 on Thursday * vital 40 members attend so AGM is quorate * vote for, or against, proposed 4% increase in fees * vote for 2 members to serve as Trustees/Directors for Industrial Relations & Research and Development

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

1/4 Countdown RCOT 2026 AGM Thursday at 12.30 Commemorating Covid-19/Long Covid Why @theRCOT didn’t mark UK Covid-19 day of reflection on 9.3.25? Last time did was 2021. Public recognition of scale of sacrifice in lives lost, suffering, continuing aftermath. www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.uk

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration's Final Report

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration's final report was published on 18 September 2023

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

1/4 Countdown to the RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June AGM questions about Covid-19 and Long Covid Where’s the evidence of @thercot.bsky.social organisational learning and archive of contribution of profession and service of practitioners? Both vital of future planning and centenary in 2032.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

1/3 Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June New topic: questions about Covid-19 and Long Covid Why? Most significant ‘mortality and morbidity period’ since 1918 flu pandemic. Lots of learning @theRCOT organisational performance, contribution of OT and service of front-line personnel,

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June. Big shout out to all practice educators for delivering around 1,000 hours for each student. AGM question: why not give a formal vote of thanks and a gift for practice educators for their crucial contribution to the future? x.com/UKFCOT/statu...

x.com

Irene (@UKFCOT) on X

Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June. Big shout out to all practice educators for delivering around 1,000 hours for each student. AGM question: why not give a formal vote of thanks and a...

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

1/ Countdown RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June AGM questions re. medicalisation of #OccupationalTherapy Why is @theRCOT campaigning for independent prescribing rights? No evidence of demand, safety, effectiveness No mandate from elected members No member consultation

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

1/1 Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June AGM questions re medicalisation of #OccupationalTherapy Part 1: First Contact Practitioners & Advanced Clinical Practice RCOT reimagining: www.rcot.co.uk/support-the-... Policy into practice taken from RCOT Communities x.com/i/status/206...

x.com

Irene (@UKFCOT) on X

1/1 Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June AGM questions re, medicalisation of #OccupationalTherapy Advanced Clinical Practice @theRCOT reimagining: https://t.co/mcQENCAAw6 Policy into p...

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

1/2 Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June Moving from expenditure to what services members’ use, summarised in infographics. What numbers stand out for you? It was RCOT Communities: *launched May 2025 *spent £900,000 *recruited 4,050 (11% of 36,801 members)

Infographic from p 34 of BAOT 2024-2025 Annual Report - says 'recruited 4,050 members to join RCOT Communities and start networking and collaborating with their peers'.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

1/2 Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June Bit surprised that spending decreased for charitable activities, yet increased for trade union activities in 2024-2025. Anyone going to ask why at the AGM?

Bar charts from BAOT 2024-2025 Annual Report showing increase in funding for trade union activities and decrease in spending on charitable activities from £10.71m to £10.25 million.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

1/2 Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June Did you realise that 25% (£74) of professional member fee (£297.19) pays for trade union services? Partnership agreement with UNISON since 1993. £1.5+ million has been paid p.a. for trade union services for the last 5 years.

Payments from BAOT to UNISON over the last five years: £1.93 million in 2024-2025

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Well done @rcn.org.uk for sponsoring this important report: A review of the quality of care provided to adults with a learning disability who were admitted to hospital acutely unwell. National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (2026) ncepod.org.uk/2026learning...

ncepod.org.uk

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

1/3 Countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM at 12.30 on 25 June Let’s start with the misery of spending more than you earn (adapted from David Copperfield by Dickens). Ballpark figures - millions £s deficit – for the last 5 years. Why? Is this worst record in the history of BAOT/RCOT?

Table showing annual income and annual expenditure for five years, from 2020-2021 to 2024-2025. Five years of deficit. Taken from RCOT & BAOT Annual Reports

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

1/2 Starting countdown to RCOT 2026 AGM online - 2 weeks today on Thursday 25 June, starting at 12.30 - vital 40 members attend so AGM is quorate - vote, vote, vote!! it's your only opportunity - vote for or against proposed 4% increase in fees - ask lots of questions

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Delighted to see @theRCOT consultation on draft 'Occupational therapy practice guideline for dementia: Supporting prevention, participation and living well'. Well done to the team of guideline developers. Offer feedback by 29 July 2026 www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/...

rcot.co.uk

Consultation opens on our draft occupational therapy practice guideline for dementia

We've opened consultation on our draft occupational therapy practice guideline for dementia. We're inviting OTs and others with relevant insight to review the guidance and share feedback on how well i...

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Thanks @thercot.bsky.social for posting more information about 4% proposed increase for membership fees. Are you able to explain why student and associates/assistant members will continue to pay much more than those in other professional bodies? Also, why an above inflation rate (2.8) was agreed?

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Thanks to 7 candidates @thercot.bsky.social election for Industrial Relations Council member (2) and Research & Development Council member (5) Shame not put social media account tags to initiate/stimulate member engagement with important vote. None found on BlueSky, 2 were on Twitter. Good luck

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

It's all about the biological basis for occupation as a therapeutic intervention. #OccupationalTherapists draw on different sources and types of knowledge. Hope @thercot.bsky.social will commission and/or produce a resource synthesising contemporary evidence for members and the public

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Shame this research about activity got little attention today. Pertinent for many and all #OccupationalTherapy personnel. Links to the article and a blog explaining the science. Enjoy! scienceblog.com/visiting-a-m... academic.oup.com/innovateage/...

scienceblog.com

Visiting a Museum Once a Week Slows Biological Aging as Much as Regular Exercise

Methyl molecules attach to DNA at predictable sites across the genome, accumulating over a lifetime in patterns so regular that researchers can read them

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Looks fabulous, thanks for the recommendation. So many interested in creative and heritage activities for health.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

1/2 Great to see a summary of the April RCOT Board/BAOT Council meeting on website today. Plus, information about proposed increase in membership fees in latest news on website and OTNews April/May page 11.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Watch out @theRCOT members for the BAOT and RCOT Annual Reports and Accounts for 2024-2025 coming soon. Good news about online AGM on 25June, accessible and accountable to all. Is our member-funded and led organisation back in the black after recent £2+ million deficits?

Asked about availability of January Council minutes, due soon alongside Annual Reports and Accounts; and proposal to increase subscriptions.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Hi @thercot.bsky.social When will Jan. Council minutes be available to members? Concerned that 'RCOT has reached a point where continuing as we are is no longer financially sustainable' April\May OTNews p11. Minutes, with detailed financial reports, needed as groundwork for AGM on 25 June.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Fabulous exhibition about the art and science of #OccupationalTherapy in Rugby, thanks to Elizabeth Casson Trust. Hope @thercot.bsky.social will soon share this news so many people will see, appreciate and value our history and future. x.com/i/status/204...

Images from the opening of the 'strike a light' exhibition.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Wonder how many esteemed, ethical organisations and individuals will leave the social media platforms owned by Meta following this court case about child safety?

BBC News headline, 25 March 2026. Meta told to pay 375 million dollars for misleading users over child safety.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Respect and remberance today, and everyday: National Covid-19 Day of Reflection. Hope @thercot.bsky.social @TheHCPC will commemorate, reflect on the impact and lessons learned, and share their proactive strategies for supporting colleagues with Long Covid. dayofreflection.campaign.gov.uk

dayofreflection.campaign.gov.uk

COVID-19 Day of Reflection

Sunday 8 March 2026 is the Day of Reflection for the COVID-19 pandemic. People and communities are invited to mark the day in ways that feel meaningful to them.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Migration is significant for @thercot.bsky.social 1930 Patricia Sunderland, Irish mental nurse was one of the first #OccupationalTherapists in Wales @whitchurchhospital.bsky.social and in Uk. Is this one of the reasons why her contribution has been neglected? bulletin.ukahn.org/patricia-sun...

bulletin.ukahn.org

Patricia Sunderland: an Irish Registered Mental Nurse and pioneer of occupational therapy – The UKAHN Bulletin: ISSN 2049-9744

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Thanks @rcn.org.uk for publicly and powerfully expressing concern about the escalating crisis in the Middle East.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Bit strange that @theRCOT hasn't yet posted about #WFOT2026 on social media. Or have I missed it on Facebook, X and Bluesky? Here's a message from Sam Shann, President @theWFOT

Message from Samantha Shann, posted on Facebook on 21 January about her 25+ service with the World Federation and the Council meeting in Bangkok.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Let's celebrate #WFOT2026 Much more activity especially from Japanese colleagues on X.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Success to Judi Pettigrew at #WFOT2026 Presenting on Wednesday, 11.02.2026. in Bangkok @theWFOT Congress. Proud of esteemed colleague @unioflimerick.bsky.social cutting edge research #OTHistory in Ireland, Wales and beyond. www.emerald.com/ijot/article...

Extract from World Congress programme. Presenting on Wednesday 11 February at 3.42-3.54. Title: Exploring the past: a documentary analysi of three occupational therapy educational archives.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Success to Allison Sullivan at #WFOT2026 Presenting on Thursday 12.02.2026. in Bangkok @theWFOT Congress Proud of esteemed colleagues @_allisulli @cathymc9781 calling for action to make #OTHistory matter before it’s gone! www.emerald.com/ijot/article...

Extract from the World Congress programme; Presentation on Thursday 12 February at 10.54.-11.06. Title Making history: innovative strategies for purposeful curation.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Good news: elections BAOT Council member/RCOT Trustee in 2026 for Industrial Relations, Research & Development and Wales. More information on website & Facebook Please share - democracy rules @thercot.bsky.social Thanks to Dr Anita Atwal, Paul Dunning & Cathryn Holding.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Great to see adverts for 4 Lay Trustees @theRCOT Please share and retweet these vital new roles. www.rcot.co.uk/learn-about-...

Lay Trustees for membership and community, finance, legal and compliance and digital, technology and cybersecurity.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Thank-you for marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day today.

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

@thercot.bsky.social please respond to public concerns? Why not confirm patient safety is paramount; that occupational therapists acting as doctor substitutes is unacceptable - way beyond scope of practice, indemnity coverage and rehabilitation position statement? www.bsprm.org.uk/articles/bsp...

Image from X - expressing concern about an occupational therapist 'in charge of in-patient rehabilitation- replacing a medical consultant, contradicting position statement issued by the British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (2025).

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Irene @ireneukfcot.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Great news about World Congress in Bangkok in February 2026. Over 3,000 abstracts received, each reviewed anonymously by three peers; over 400 international reviewers. Well done everyone! wfotcongress2026.org

wfotcongress2026.org

Home - WFOT Congress 2026

9-12 February BANGKOK, THAILAND Join us in Bangkok for the 19th WFOT Congress, where we’ll inspire change and innovate the future of occupational therapy together. Register Now Registration Informatio...

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