Concern as paperwork dominates therapists’ time

Moray Council’s occupational therapists spend only a fifth of their time in direct contact with patients, it was revealed yesterday.

But more than a third of their week is spent doing paperwork.

The figures, unveiled at a meeting of the health and social care services, were criticised by councillors who said professional time was not being put to best use.

In a report to members, occupational therapy manager Judy Fairburn said occupational therapists at the council received “minimal help” with administrative duties as there was no dedicated support team.

She presented members with a breakdown of how the therapists spend their working week.

The biggest chunk of time – 36% – was taken up by administration, and just over a fifth of the week was dedicated to direct contact with patients.

Next came “indirect contact” with patients, which took up 20% of the time and involved work such as liaising with carers and relatives on behalf of the patient. Travelling came in at 16%.

Conservative councillor Douglas Ross said he was concerned that the therapists had direct contact with patients for only one day out of every five.

“What can be done to reduce the burden and get more face-to-face contact with the people they are there to serve?” he asked.

He was backed by Independent Stewart Cree who said it was “false economy” to have trained professionals doing work that could be carried out by administrators with no specialist knowledge.

“We have to make sure these professionals are best using their time and not sitting typing reports,” he said.

SNP member Graham Leadbitter said the council should be able to recruit “plenty” of administrators during a recession and suggested more funds should be invested in the service to cover their wages.

Responding to the criticism, the authority’s lead system manager for community care, Jane Mackie, insisted administration covered more than just “basic duties” and involved a wide range of tasks such as writing reports and ordering specialist equipment.

“It’s quite a broad definition,” she said.

Director of community services Sandy Riddell said the paperwork side of occupational therapists’ work could be “streamlined” to make it less of an issue.