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Communicating in a Political WorldGregory StaffordPublic Affairs and Government Relations Manager
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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: [email protected]
Direct Telephone: 020 7450 2318
Mobile Telephone: 07973 119625
YOUR INPUT IS VITAL!