IN PICTURES: Minister joins Western Trust OTs at Stormont for key calendar milestone

To mark this important week in the OT calendar, a group of Occupational Therapy staff from the Western Health & Social Care Trust were invited to attend a special Parliamentary Reception in Stormont on Tuesday, November 3 2026 to launch the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) NI 2027 manifesto.

The successful event was organised by Cliona McSherry RCOT Policy & Public Affairs Lead NI, and was attended by Robbie Butler Health Minister, Philip McGuigan Chairperson of the Health Committee and Gary Waltham RCOT Chief Executive.

Ann Mellon, Principal OT in Mental Health at the Western Trust said: “I was delighted to be invited to attend along with colleagues to a special Parliamentary Reception in Stormont this week.

“This was an important event to launch the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) NI 2027 manifesto which sets out the vision and strategy on how the role of OTs across the health and social care sector can help transform the lives of clients, patients and their families.

“OTs are an integral part of the HSC, and we welcome the support and commitment of the Health Minister and the Department of Health in ensuring we strive to provide the best care to the people of Northern Ireland now and in the future.”

Ann added: “OTs work as part of a multi-disciplinary team across all health care facilities in hospitals, day centres, schools, care homes and providing support to allow people to live in their own homes safely and independently.

“We also support people with physical, mental health and learning disabilities across their life-span, empowering them and their families to live well and integrate into their local communities.”