Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
How can inpatient Occupational Therapy help?
How can outpatient Occupational Therapy help?
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with people who have injuries, illnesses and disabilities to help them live as independently as possible by achieving, maintaining and improving their quality of life. They work with people of all ages and backgrounds and are employed by hospitals, local authority social and community services or in the private sector.
OTs provide assessment and treatment of physical, psychosocial and cognitive dysfunctions to enable patients to maximise their functional abilities and quality of life in their own home, place of work or school.
OTs work with people to design a programme of treatment based on the individual’s lifestyle, environment and preferences.
How can inpatient Occupational Therapy help?
If you are a patient of Barts and The London NHS Trust or Tower Hamlets Primary Care NHS Trust and you see an Occupational Therapist, your OT will undertake a full assessment of your needs and abilities before you are discharged from hospital. This may be done in hospital, in the community, or in your home.
Your OT can work with you on a number of issues, which may include:
Rehabilitation
This could include re-learning skills or adapting tasks depending on your needs and abilities.
Planning for discharge
This could include making recommendations for equipment or adaptations to your home to help you be more independent and safe, and to help your carer care for you more effectively.
Advice and information
This could include providing advice and information on managing your disability, illness or injury.
What happens when I get home?
Depending on your circumstances, your OT may see you for a short time after you have been discharged, either at home or in an outpatient clinic. In some circumstances, it may be more appropriate to refer you to a community occupational therapist in your local area.
The provision of equipment and adaptations to your home is carried out by your local social services and depends on your needs and abilities. Your OT will discuss this with you in more detail before you go home.
How Can Outpatient Occupational Therapy Help?
Occupational Therapy covers:
Treatment
Including:
- Hand splinting
- Hand exercise programmes
- Scar management
- Pain management
Advice and Information
- Managing your disability, illness or injury including how to:
- Go about your daily tasks
- Conserve your energy and look after your joints
- Return to work
Your OT will plan a programme of treatment based on your specific needs and abilities. This can include special equipment or adaptations to your home if necessary.
Comments and feedback
The OT Service welcomes comments and feedback on our service and ideas about how we can improve our services to patients and clients.
To give comment or feedback on services, please contact the Head of Service on tel 020 8233 8672.
If you are unhappy about a service you have received, or wish to make a complaint, you can contact the Complaints Department on freephone 0800 137 524.