Occupational therapy

At Barts Cancer Centre, our occupational therapy team has specialist skills to examine the impact cancer may be having on the everyday lives of our patients.

We focus our interventions on what is important to individual patients - this could be anything from carrying out basic hygiene at home, to being able to access the community, or continuing with a favourite hobby.

Our assessments are holistic and take into account the physical, psychological, social or cognitive abilities in the patient’s home, place of work, study or leisure.

We offer specialist treatments aimed at optimising quality of life, these include:

Fatigue or breathlessness management
Energy conservation
Anxiety management, relaxation techniques
Neurological rehabilitation
Upper limb rehabilitation
Cognitive assessment and treatment
Equipment prescription and seating
Functional retraining (for example, if a patient only has the use of one arm we can help them re-learn how to prepare and eat meals).

We work very closely with the patient’s multidisciplinary team of specialists to ensure that when patients return home from hospital this is as safe as possible and that their independence is maintained. One of the ways we do this is by providing equipment. For example, we may request that local social services provide a shower stool.

Should patients require the assistance of carers at home, we will liaise with social workers about an individualised care package. We can also provide referral to local support services such as further occupational therapy, neuro-rehabilitation, or specially designed return to work programs.

Our oncology occupational therapy team operates between 8:30am and 4:45pm, Monday to Friday. We also operate a small outpatient service for Barts Cancer Centre patients, the aim of which is to enhance quality of life and help patients stay at home, through early intervention strategies.

In February 2010, our occupational therapy service was awarded Level One of Patient Friendly Accreditation. This is a formal recognition of our commitment to involving patients and the public in the delivery of our care.

Meet the team:

Clinical Specialist: Ruth Atkinson
Tel: 020 346 55969

Occupational Therapy Assistant: Lucy Rigby
Tel: 020 346 55969

Team Leader: locum post holder

Senior Therapist: locum post holder