Princess Royal to visit Leeds Metropolitan University

HRH, who is Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists, will attend a conference organised by MSc Occupational therapy and Physiotherapy students at the University's City Campus on Tuesday 14 January 2014.

HRH The Princess Royal will be given a tour of the University's recently installed Clinical Skills Suite, which consists of a high-tech simulation suite with critical care bed, high-tech human patient simulator, a film recording system and viewing room, a community living space with a ceiling hoist and adapted equipment as well as four teaching rooms equipped for the teaching and safe practice of a range of healthcare skills. She will then meet physiotherapy and occupational therapy students before delivering a speech at the conference in the University's Rose Bowl.

The MSc Occupational Therapy and MSc Physiotherapy End of Course Conference will showcase the achievements of the students and will be themed around innovative practice and entrepreneurship. The conference will be attended by a wide variety of people representing local NHS trusts, NHS England, charities, social enterprises and commissioners, as well as students, lecturers and clinicians from across the county. The conference will allow the final year students to reflect on their learning experiences and achievements throughout their training.

Final year MSc Occupational Therapy student and conference organiser Becky Plant explains: "It is a great privilege to have HRH The Princess Royal attend our end of course conference. The conference is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements over the past two years and this will be made all the more memorable with the support and presence of HRH The Princess Royal."

Senior Lecturer Rob Brooks, who was instrumental in organising the visit, adds: "I am delighted that The Princess Royal is able to attend the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy student conference in her role as the Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists. She will be able to talk to our students about our innovative programmes which prepare our students to be clinical scholars. The Princess Royal is an excellent ambassador for the profession and we are looking forward to her meeting our students and seeing the excellent clinical, academic and research training that we provide at Leeds Metropolitan University."

Julia Scott, Chief Executive, College of Occupational Therapists said: "The occupational therapy students' innovative and creative approach to practice will stand them in excellent stead for the future and we are extremely proud of their achievements. Their collaboration with physiotherapy colleagues is a leading example of how to embrace and adapt to our evolving health and social care landscape and will pave the way for new collaborative working arrangements between allied health care professions. We wish them every success in their future career."