The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is proud of all of our members and recognises the amazing and challenging role that they are playing in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of the health crisis many retired, self-employed and student members are being enlisted to join the NHS in roles to support the existing workforce. RCOT wants to ensure that these members, along with all of our professional members, have the security and peace of mind of having insurance cover and access to the appropriate professional support.
We ask that members who are taking on these new roles get in touch with RCOT’s Membership team so that we can ensure you have access to full membership benefits at no additional cost. This will provide you with professional indemnity insurance for carrying out occupational therapy roles and professional support from UNISON during the crisis.
The following members are eligible:
- Retired and self-employed members on the HCPC temporary register, and registered or temporarily registered as an NHS volunteer or bank worker.
- Final year students who have completed all required practice placement learning, are on the HCPC temporary register and working as part of the volunteer NHS workforce.
- Students who are either in their first year of postgraduate studies, second year (or third year in Scotland) of undergraduate studies and those in their final year who have not yet completed their required practice placements and are working as a band 3 position alongside their studies.
We ask all eligible members to contact the Membership team at membership@rcot.co.uk with the information below. Once we’ve received your email request we will provide confirmation and further details.
- Your BAOT number
- Confirmation that you are on the HCPC temporary register, ideally with your registration number
- Confirmation that you are registered as an NHS volunteer / bank worker
- Confirmation of employment in a Band 3 role
- Your employer's name and address
Retired occupational therapists who are not currently members but are returning to work in these roles are invited to join RCOT today in the retired member category to receive the peace of mind provided by having insurance and professional support. You can join by completing this application form and emailing it to membership@rcot.co.uk:
We ask all occupational therapists to share this information with their colleagues so that we can help the people who need this security and support at this time.