Advocacy Abstracts

The advocacy committee creates social media content, advocates for the role of occupational therapy in NS, and advocates to reduce systematic barriers that impact our clients. Advocacy is completed through written letters and attending panels/forums to discuss various concerns. Below are abstracts from those topics that the committee has advocated on.

Date: December 3rd, 2020

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Chuck Porter

Advocating for the importance of affordable housing to health and wellness from an occupational lens.

Date: January 17th, 2021

Tim Houston, PC Leader

Advocating for the role of occupational therapy in mental health and addiction services and the need for occupational therapists to be a vital part of mental health and addiction teams moving forward.

 

Date: February 20th, 2021

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Chuck Porter

Requesting the NSSOT be a consulted stakeholder during the Nova Scotia Housing Commission’s roundtable discussions, focus groups, etc.

 

Date: February 23rd, 2021

Premier, Iain Rankin

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is, how we could be utilized to improve health care in Nova Scotia, and hopes to work collaboratively with the new leader.

 

Date: April 6th, 2021

Minister of Health & Wellness, Zach Churchill

The role of occupational therapy in long term care, and advocating for an equitable funding model to increase access to occupational therapists in long term care.

 

Date: April 22nd, 2021

Minister of Health & Wellness, Zach Churchill

We are requesting that occupational therapists be included as mental health clinicians when creating the Office of Mental Health and Addiction and the new single session therapy service.

 

Date: June 23rd, 2021

Minister of Health & Wellness, Zach Churchill; Premier, Iain Rankin; PC Health Critic, Karla MacFarlane; NDP Health Critic, Susan LeBlanc; President of NSGEU, Jason Maclean; Senior Director of Mental Health & Addictions, Samantha Hodder; Director of Mental Health- Central Zone, Rachel Boehm; Health Services Manager, Kim Fleming

Concerns regarding the role of occupational therapy changing in Community Mental Health and Addictions teams.

 

Date: September 27th, 2021

Minister of Health & Wellness, Michelle Thompson

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is, how we could improve health care in Nova Scotia, and hopes to work collaboratively with the new government.

 

Date: November 1st, 2021

Minister of Health & Wellness, Michelle Thompson; Senior Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Samantha Hodder; Health Services Manager, Patrick Daigle; Director of Mental Health- Central Zone, Rachel Boehm

Requesting an improved understanding of the recent changes to the scope of employment for occupational therapists in Community Mental Health and Addictions teams.

 

Date: December 19th, 2021

Minister Responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, Brian Comer

Advocating for the role of occupational therapy in addiction services, and how occupational therapists could contribute to the team of the newly formed Addiction Hubs.

Date: June 21st, 2022 

Minister Responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, Brian Comer; Premier, Tim Houston; Chief of Mental Health and Addictions, Dr. Samuel Hickcox 

Requesting that occupational therapists be added to the list of professions that are consulted and be named as one of the explicitly identified professions eligible to provide psychotherapy services under the proposed Universal Mental Health Care Plan. 

Date: September 9th, 2022

Letter provided to a member who provided the same to local MLA and union rep.

Highlighting the pay discrepancy between occupational therapists in Nova Scotia and other provinces. Highlighting the pay discrepancy between occupational therapists and other master level health professionals within Nova Scotia. Requesting occupational therapists be paid accordingly based on education.

Date: January 16th, 2023

Minister Responsible for Youth, Brian Comer

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is and how occupational therapists can contribute to the current priorities of the Minister Responsible for Youth. Meeting Requested.

Date: January 16th, 2023

Minister of Community Services, Karla McFarlane

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is and how occupational therapists can contribute to the current priorities of the Department of Community Services. Meeting Requested.

Date: January 16th, 2023

Minister of Justice, Brad Johns

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is and how occupational therapists can contribute to the current priorities of the Department of Justice. Meeting Requested.

Date: January 16th, 2023

Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Becky Druhan

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is and how occupational therapists can contribute to the current priorities of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Meeting Requested.

Date: January 16th, 2023

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, John Lohr

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is and how occupational therapists can contribute to the current priorities of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing.  Meeting Requested.

Date: January 16th, 2023

Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Barbara Adams

Introduction letter of what occupational therapy is and how occupational therapists can contribute to the current priorities of the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care.  Meeting Requested.

NSSOT Engagement 

April 1st, 2021- NSSOT participated in the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission Stakeholder Workshop.

April 6th, 2021- NSSOT participated in the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission Stakeholder Workshop.

April 15th, 2021- NSSOT was invited to and participated in the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission Stakeholder Focus Group for the Vulnerable Populations.

Oct 5th, 2022- NSSOT provided a virtual information session on the role of occupational therapy within an interdisciplinary team to health professionals and managers in the province.

October 11th, 2022- NSSOT participated in an occupational therapy specific engagement session regarding the Office of Addictions and Mental Health plans to provide universal mental health and addictions care in Nova Scotia.

November 30th, 2022- NSSOT was invited to the Primary Health Care Partners Table. NSSOT will have ongoing engagement with the Primary Health Care Partners Table and have representation at each meeting.