”Increasing the workforce is absolutely essential to addressing demands in the healthcare system and to improving access to the services people rely on. The further and higher education sector has a critical role to play in ensuring that our healthcare services have the staff they need to deliver the care that people need, and these places are an important step in that direction.”
-Minister Simon Harris
Ministers Harris and Donnelly announced a significant increase in the number of third level places for those within the healthcare sector. This includes those looking to develop and grow within the therapy industry to support disability services.
From September this year, we will see:
- An increase of 100 places in the undergraduate intake in key therapies. This includes 50 places available in Northern Ireland.
- A roll-out of post-leaving cert courses to help train speech and language therapist assistants in 5 education and training boards. They are expecting an estimated 120 students within these programmes.
- 665 additional places in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physio therapy and other key healthcare courses. This will include 200 places in Northern Ireland as well.
Gov.ie have published a table on just how many places will be allocated to those within Occupational Therapy and we are happy to see that 24 places will be created in higher education institutions in the Republic of Ireland. There will be additional 20 places for Occupational Therapy in Northern Ireland in the Higher Education Institutions too, most like the University of Ulster.
This is certainly good news and a sign that things are moving in the right direction. More Occupational Therapists means better access for those with limited strength and mobility, to help keep them more independent at home.
Today we are announcing a significant increase in the number of third level places for those who want to study therapies like speech & language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy & also study to become speech & language therapy assistants. An important measure. pic.twitter.com/iensTb66Rw
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 24, 2023
A Note From Uccello Designs:
Uccello Designs is working hard to share more information about our daily living aids like our Uccello Kettle. How they can help and benefit their clients to manage hot water safely and independently in their own home.
We are more than happy to visit Occupational Therapy students to deliver a short presentation on our products and to leave samples behind within the Uni’s ADL kitchen. This is a great opportunity for current and future OT’s to learn and use our products before entering the workplace. We loved visiting the OT students at Trinity and NUI Galway recently and loved their enthusiasm and feedback we received.
We do the same for any Occupational Therapy teams in hospitals around the country. Our team would be happy to come an deliver an informal demonstration to the OT team and leave samples for the Rehab kitchens on their ward.
If this is something that is of interest to you at Uni or on your ward, please do not hesitate to contact our team today at enquiries@uccellodesigns.com.
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