ELAINE HUNTER

A graduate from St Johns University, York (1985) and completed two further academic studies at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (1991 and 2007). Elaine has always worked in mental health and dementia and has been responsible for the clinical, strategic and managerial leadership of occupational therapy services in a health board in Scotland. 

Elaine previously worked in Scottish Government as an AHP professional advisor, developing a strategic policy for mental health allied health professionals, “Realising Potential” (2010, 2012). Elaine is currently working in a national strategic leadership role in partnership with Scottish Government and Alzheimer Scotland. Elaine’s national role brings together the strengths of allied health professionals in both health and social care. She has written three national evidence based AHP dementia policies, Connecting People, Connecting Support (2017, 2020, 2024) and is now supporting the integration of the policy to practice in Scotland. 

Elaine is a Scottish Improvement leader, a Fellowship of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and was awarded a visiting Professor at Edinburgh Napier University. She is active on social media where you can follow her work at @elaineahpmh, @AHPDementia (X and Instagram) and on the weekly blog, https://letstalkaboutdementia.wordpress.com/ . 

Elaine co-edited an occupational therapy textbook in 2023, Occupational Therapy and Dementia. Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living with Dementia. Elaine is working in partnership with the RCOT as the lead for the RCOT guidelines in dementia for Occupational Therapists in the UK, an 18 month project.