The global leadership body of the occupational therapy profession convened its biennial council meeting in Bermuda.

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists event was co-hosted by the Bermuda Occupational Therapy Association and took place from February 29 to March 3.

It brought together about 100 delegates, including key health, insurance, and education stakeholders.

The Council Meeting, which takes place every two years in a different city each time, serves as a platform for strategising on the global positioning and development of the occupational-therapy profession.

This year's meeting in Bermuda was held in collaboration with an Executive Management Team Meeting, providing an opportunity for in-depth discussions and governance planning for the WFOT.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said: "Bermuda, with its small but dedicated workforce of around 35 practising occupational therapists, faced unique challenges in raising awareness about the profession among the public. Unfortunately, the profession is not well known or understood by the public, therefore the benefits have not been fully explored.

“This unprecedented gathering facilitated crucial discussions on the challenges faced by the occupational therapy profession in Bermuda and paved the way for collaborative solutions."

The BOTA, an associate member of WFOT since 1992, submitted a proposal to host the Council Meeting, emphasising the profession's challenges in Bermuda, including a small workforce and limited community awareness.

The event drew key stakeholders, including government officials, insurance representatives, and healthcare and education leaders.

Attendees included Samantha Shann, WFOT chair, Ms Wilson, and Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors.

Ms Furbert, who is also an occupational therapist, said: “This unique opportunity to cohost the executive and council meetings shows Bermuda’s commitment to advancing occupational therapy services for our most vulnerable and cherished population groups: our children, persons with disabilities, and our seniors.

“These discussions are crucial, and I look forward to the positive impact they will have on the future of occupational therapy in Bermuda.”

Pashé Douglas-Sampson is a Bermuda occupational therapist and one of the event organisers.

Dr Douglas-Sampson added: “As an OT, sometimes I can give someone their first chance at something, and other times I can give someone another chance. I find that to be very special.

“In this moment, we can give our profession and professionals here the opportunity to highlight how unique and significant we are. This is our first step to something great.”

BOTA will be developing a workforce strategy specifically tailored to address the unique needs of the profession locally.

Aligned with the WFOT Global Strategy for the Occupational Therapy Workforce, the strategy aims to inform human resource planning, development and practice for the profession, ensuring a robust and supportive environment for occupational therapists in Bermuda.