Earlier in lockdown, following a discussion with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, I wrote to the Health Secretary to raise the importance of rehabilitation in the community for those affected by COVID-19, given that the road to recovery for many people will involve complex, ongoing, individual rehabilitation.
Whilst there are areas where there are excellent examples of strong rehabilitation across the UK – both within clinical care and in the community – there are some that are already stretched, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
I am pleased that, in response, the Department of Health & Social Care has set out that NHS England and NHS Improvement are working closely with local areas to discuss capacity plans for winter and for rehabilitation, and that they recognise the importance of supporting all groups that have been adversely affected by COVID-19.
You can read my letter and the response in full below.