The Princess Royal Highlights Occupational Therapy’s Role in Health Equality

The Princess Royal recently visited Central North West London (CNWL) NHS Trust to explore the vital role Occupational Therapists (OTs) play in addressing health inequalities. Among those present were CLCH Occupational Therapists, who showcased their research on improving access to OT services for the Somali community and other underserved groups.

Church End in Brent was one of the areas most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with over 30 deaths on a single street, highlighting deep-rooted health disparities. In response, the Brent Health Matters initiative was launched, bringing together local residents, CNWL, and community partners to restore trust in health services and address pressing issues such as mental health, diabetes, and asthma.

The research led by CLCH OTs builds on this work, demonstrating how culturally relevant and inclusive occupational therapy can meet the diverse needs of communities. By leveraging partnerships within Brent Health Matters, the project aims to enhance healthcare access and improve health outcomes for all.

As Patron of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, The Princess Royal engaged with OTs from various settings, including inpatient and community services, to discuss their involvement in the project. She also met with local charities advocating for the Somali community and spoke with patients about their experiences with occupational therapy. One patient shared how their OT helped reduce their medication and became a trusted source of support.

Samantha Westrop, Service Manager for Children and Young People's Occupational Therapy at CLCH, reflected on the significance of the visit:

"I have been a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) for 25 years, and I feel incredibly proud as an Occupational Therapist to have had this opportunity to represent the families and children of Brent on behalf of CLCH. The Princess Royal is an inspiration to the profession and was genuinely passionate about the invaluable work taking place in Brent in conjunction with RCOT to tackle diversity and health inequalities."

Jyoti Bidhuri, Paediatric Occupational Therapist at CLCH, also shared her thoughts:

"It was an honor to participate in The Princess Royal’s visit and represent Brent’s children’s specialist service. Princess Anne showed great interest in the work of OTs, recognizing the crucial contributions being made in Brent, in partnership with RCOT and CLCH, to promote diversity and reduce health inequalities. Having our efforts acknowledged by someone so dedicated to our field was truly rewarding."

The visit highlighted the essential role of Occupational Therapy in addressing health disparities and reaffirmed CLCH’s commitment to delivering equitable healthcare for all communities.