from Allied Health Profession Scotland BADth representative, Genevieve Smyth.
Myself and a senior art therapist and music therapist attended a new psychological therapies forum in October. Here, representatives from government, the Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland (AHPFS) and organisational leads began mapping out the field.
Concerns were raised about the current scope of psychological therapies and the limitations imposed by the psychological therapies matrix. Here randomised control trial evidence from psychologists' talking therapies was utilised when NHS Boards selected which treatments were being offered to patients.
I reminded the forum of our recognition and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and updated members on the Dramatherapy and Arts Therapies researched evidence-base, reflecting need for greater range of treatment options.
I've graduated from NHS leadership training and plan to contribute to next year's course. Despite financial austerity, my department's work in preventation in Public Health and early intervention in Primary Care continues. This ties in with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Scotland)'s aspiration for more focus on this area of work for clinical and economic efficiency.
I've shared my recent long-term evaluation of clinical outcomes with my NHS Board Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director. This year's pilot on young people's mental health issues is now being expanded. A wide range of dramatherapeutic approaches have been key to its success.
Consideration is now been given to how Dramatherapy Scotland might support graduates from Scotland's masters training course. This may include opportunities for exploring career launches and service establishment. I have also been in dialogue with senior arts therapists and AHPFS on the subject of workforce development.
I have asked BADth's Link Person in Scotland to remind members how helpful it is to have their updates on Dramatherapy-related activity, including service planning, as it enhances the quality of representation at strategic planning meetings on the shape of heath and social care services to come.
This is where BADth database development is crucial. If our register can be updated so that it is possible to inform potential service commissioners of the number of graduates working in specific local authorities, and the number of experienced colleagues leading services in different parts of Scotland, we have more influence on the direction of governmental workforce planning for the future. There is also interest in establishing the number of trainees on clinical placement per NHS Board and social care location. Such data can help our Chief Allied Health Professions Officer represent us more fully at government meetings.
Our next information gathering and shared learning will be Dramatherapy Scotland's meeting on 17 November followed by a planned December Arts Therapists event hosted by the NHS Education Board for Scotland.