Occupational Therapy News OTNews March 2020 | Page 32

FEATURE COMMUNITY SERVICES
As she left the GP surgery, she had a smile, a new
prescription and a hopeful perspective.
simple personalised care plans to develop skills and
improve health and wellbeing.
RCOT has stated that the qualifications of
Roles, routines and identity
occupational therapists are essential for social
We saw many individuals during the day. From partners
prescribing, and has been working on the topic of social
who simply saw their role as the ‘taxi-driver’, to mothers
prescribing and the unique contribution occupational
adapting to their new roles. Using creative activities we
therapy can make for a considerable time (www.
encouraged and supported new mothers to engage in
rcot.co.uk/news/occupational-therapy-role-social-
their previous interests and listened to their insights of
prescribing).
finding new post-baby identities.
Holistic assessments and meaning and purposeful
activities are key, whether that is by motivational
Purpose of GP
interviewing, active listening, relaxation, anxiety
appointment
and fatigue management strategies, craft,
One gentleman and
gardening, activity of daily living skills,
A little boy
his wife commented
music, exercise or linking with other
that it was ‘so nice to have
community activities in situ.
was really engaged from
something happening in
start to finish in making a
the waiting room’. She was
References
‘‘
pom-pom and he was so
amazed, she said, that
Cantu AG and Fleuriet KJ (2018)
having arrived on the wrong
Making the ordinary more
happy with the final result
day for her appointment,
extraordinary: Exploring creativity as
to take back to
we knew of her condition,
a health promotion practice among
school.
took time to talk to her about it,
older adults in a community-based
and understood the impact of her
professionally taught arts program. Journal
chronic fatigue on her daily activities.
of Holistic Nursing 36(2): 123-133. DOI:
We discussed occupational therapy
10.1177/0898010117697863
together, as she had never heard of the profession,
Foreman E and Pollard C (2011) CBT: Cognitive Behavioural
although she was hoping for a physiotherapy referral
Therapy: A Practical Guide. London: Icon
from her GP.
Law M et al (1998) The Canadian Occupational Performance
Following our conversation, she left ready for her
Measure (3rd ed). Toronto: CAOT
appointments in two days’ time to request a referral for
The King’s Fund (2017) What is social prescribing? King’s Fund.
physiotherapy and occupational therapy, rather than
Available at: www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/social-
having a wasted journey.
prescribing [accessed 19 November 2019]
An elegising experience
We feel that we got the real ‘essence’ of people by
relating on a human level – we even found ourselves in
our element, energised, smiling and full of ideas. When
engaged, patients relaxed as personally meaningful
activities brought down their barriers.
Throughout the day patients and occupational
therapists stepped out of their comfort zone and learned
about person-centred care. Many patients commented
that the atmosphere was far more welcoming and were
disappointed it was only for one day.
We would like to improve next time by thinking of
different activities to appeal to men as well as women
and children.
Throughout the day we learned that social
prescribing is more than signposting people to
services, it is actively working with people, carers and
GP surgeries to enable preventive care, using a ‘what
matters to me’ approach, building rapport and creating
32 OTnews March 2020
Royal College of Psychiatrists (2019) Position statement on
antidepressants and depression. RC PSYCH. Available at:
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/
better-mh-policy/position-statements/ps04_19---
antidepressants-and-depression.pdf?sfvrsn=ddea9473_5
[accessed 19 November 2019]
Seligman MEP (2011) Flourish: A visionary new understanding
of happiness and wellbeing. New York: Free Press. Available
at: www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/ fy1109/20100336

4-b.html [accessed 22 September 2018]
Wilcock (2006) An occupational perspective of health (2nd ed)
USA: SLACK Incorporated
Becca Morris Bray, occupational therapy MSc student
and Rebecca du Preez, occupational therapy BSc
student, University of Brighton, Chantelle Martin, senior
occupational tehrapist, Hayward’s Heath Community
Team, and Ros French, senior occupational therapist,
Responsive Services. Email [e-mail] or
[e-mail]