CAOT-BC Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Health Cited in Report

In 2016 CAOT-BC responded to the call from the Select Standing Committee on Health and provided an in-person presentation and a written submission related to the value of occupational therapy to the health and well-being of British Columbians. In addition, the issue of the need to strengthen the BC occupational therapy workforce was raised.

We are pleased to report that the Select Standing Committee on Health published a report “Looking Forward: Improving Rural Health Care, Primary Care and Addiction Recovery Programs” which cited our presentation.

“The Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – B.C. Chapter illustrated the value their respective professions bring to patients and how their practice can complement and enhance a team-based model of care. The demand for physiotherapy and occupational therapy has grown, however supply has not kept pace with demand and it was noted that shortages are particularly problematic outside of the Lower Mainland.”

CAOT-BC has written to the Select Standing Committee on Health—you can read the letter here. We will continue our advocacy efforts in the coming months leading up to the election and will soon be releasing an advocacy toolkit as a resource for our members to engage with MLAs in their constituencies. Stay tuned for more information and thank you in advance for your continued support of your professional association.