Communicating in a Political World

Gregory Stafford

Public Affairs and Government Relations Manager

Role of the Public Affairs OfficerRaise the profile of Occupational Therapists in general and the College specifically

Build relationships with and influence politicians and key stakeholders

Co-ordinate and manage the public affairs activity of the College

Communicate with members about influencing activity

Encourage and facilitate members to influence

How and Whom COT InfluencesGovernment and Civil Service

Parliamentary (Westminster and the devolved legislatures)

Politicians

Party Conferences

Stakeholders and Partners

What is Politics?

Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to behaviour within governments, but politics has been observed in other group interactions, including corporate, academic and religious institutions. It consists of social relations involving authority or power and refers to the regulation of a political unit[and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.

Secretaries of State

Secretary of State for Work and PensionsSecretary of State for Health

Secretary of State for EducationSecretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Government Junior Ministers

Department for Work and PensionsMinister of State – Chris Grayling MP Minister of State – Steve Webb MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Maria Miller MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Welfare Reform) – Lord Freud

Department of HealthMinister of State – Paul Burstow MP Minister of State – Simon Burns MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Anne Milton MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Earl Howe

Department for EducationMinister of State – Sarah Teather MP Minister of State – Nick Gibb MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Tim Loughton MP

Department for Communities and Local GovernmentMinister of State  – Greg Clark MP Minister of State – Grant Shapps MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Andrew Stunell OBE MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Bob Neill MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State – Baroness Hanham CBE

Devolved Administrations

Northern Ireland

Michael McGimpsey MLAMinister for Health, Social Services and Public Service

Wales

Edwina Hart MBE AMMinister for Health and Social Services

London

James CleverlyChairman of Health and Public Services Committee

Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon MSPDeputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing

Liberal/Conservative Government Priorities

Increase NHS spending above rate of inflation but deeper service spending efficiencies

Create a patient-led NHS – Choice agenda

Measure health outcomes

Put healthcare professionals in charge of delivering care

Focus government action on improving public health

Reform long-term care

Local Government budgets will be cut

Labour Party Priorities

Pre-Election: Maternity, Dentistry, Mixed-Sex Wards, Healthcare/Hospital Acquired Infections.

Preventative healthcare through routine check-ups for the over-40s.

More personal care, with the right in law to choose from any provider who meets NHS standards of quality.

New National Care Service to ensure free care in the home.

So What Is Being Done?COT’s General Election Manifesto Follow Up

Letters to Secretaries of State and Ministers

Party Political Conferences

New MP Briefings

Manifestos for the Devolved Administrations

Responses to Consultations

How Political Are You?

Are you registered to vote?

Have you ever voted?

Do you know who your local MP is?

Do you know if your MP has a safe or marginal seat?

Why Become Politically Interested?

Occupational therapy regarded itself until recently as an apolitical profession. However, during the first years of the century OTs began to be concerned with a range of political questions as they expressed dissatisfaction with the way in which practice is constrained by events outside their control.

Occupational therapy, indeed all of health and social care is inescapably political. Just as OTs are social activists in opening up occupational opportunities they are also agents of social control.

Why Should You Influence?

Externally focused ambitions:

• Improve the service user experience• Add something to the development of the profession• Make systems more efficient, more client centred,

more occupation focused• Draw attention to problems, protect people• Share good practice, good ideas• Help other professionals develop and succeed

Why Should You Influence?

Internally focused ambitions:

• A higher status job, promotion• To be regarded as an expert in your field• More money, benefits, travel, autonomy, • To change career direction• Start a business• To be invited to award ceremonies and gala dinners

Ten Key Skills for Influencing

1. Develop awareness in your chosen area –national and local

2. Your reputation precedes you –do the simple things well and treat others well

3. Develop and nurture your networks. Treat everything as an opportunity.

4. Find useful allies with similar values5. Use a range of methods to influence

Ten Key Skills for Influencing

6. Get the message right, offer solutions and understand their implications

7. Find the right person to speak to and consider their hooks and drivers

8. Use evidence- qualitative and quantitative, do a pilot

9. Create opportunities, take calculated risks10. Time and persistence required

Who should be in Your Network?

People in similar areas of practice

People from relevant voluntary groups and charities

Educators and researchers in the field

People in your professional organisation

Journal contacts

People involved in national policy

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Make contactsMake friends

Be visible and credible?JAsk for things

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Get your friends involved

How Can Members Influence?Respond to COT’s calls for evidence

Contact your local politicians

Volunteer to host politicians

Contact COT and its Officers

Get involved locally and nationally

Contact Local Politicians

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

http://www.writetothem.com/

Contact Details

Email: greg.stafford@cot.co.uk

Direct Telephone: 020 7450 2318

Mobile Telephone: 07973 119625

YOUR INPUT IS VITAL!