Occupational Therapy News OTnews May 2020 | Page 10

NEWS COVID-19 Virtual assessments and demonstrations are delivering positive outcomes during COVID-19 In response to the government’s social distancing measures, Theraposture has rolled out a new video assessment and demonstration service, with positive results for clients and occupational therapists. The company, which supports private clients, the NHS and social care occupational therapists, is continuing to provide essential assistive equipment to keep vulnerable individuals, and those with restricted mobility, independent and safe at home. With products that have been designed to enable independent and safe bed transfers, and as a result, can help individuals benefit from reduced carer contact, independence can often be ensured for those who would otherwise struggle, thus avoiding residential care settings and hospitals – essential for significantly reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection. As an alternative to home visits, assessments and product demonstrations are being provided remotely by experienced equipment experts using video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and WhatsApp; these experts can see the environment where equipment will be used and personally discuss and understand an individual’s situation. Products are demonstrated via video link from the company’s demonstration room, and in context to each person’s needs. Occupational therapists can join the platform, ensuring all stakeholders are included, while remaining safe. Liam Braddell, Theraposture sales director, explains: ‘As an ethical business we are focused on providing a solution that meets the needs, wants and risks for each customer. To understand these, we need to assess each client, however, with many vulnerable people shielding, we have turned to technology to maintain this vital part of the process. ‘Our live video assessments protect clients and give greater peace of mind during these challenging times. In our experience, most of our clients are delighted to have this option. If potential clients struggle with video calls, then supporting relatives or healthcare professionals assist, plus we always set up meetings so attendees just need to join.’ Deliveries and service calls are carefully managed and comply fully with the company’s COVID-19 safety policy. All customer-facing staff wear fully protective PPE and social distancing is strictly adhered to during home installations. Liam adds: ‘We are finding that video assessments still provide us with a same level of detail as a home visit and more family members can join the conversation. Commonly, relatives live too far away to join us for home visits, whereas now they can get involved. It is key that video assessments are treated like home appointments, with a specific date and time agreed in advance. Overall, it is more of an inclusive experience for clients, carers and supporting occupational therapists.’ An occupational therapist working for Inclusion.me, commented: ‘In the complex new world where we find ourselves working to support high needs in the community, I was really pleased to be able to move forwards on assessing needs and agreeing a safe product for my client, who is being shielded at present. ‘I welcome this willingness to find innovative ways of offering continuity of service at this complicated time and look forward to future virtual visits as a safe way of offering input to the most vulnerable of clients by removing avoidable delays through the use of remote technology to maintain distance.’ 10 OTnews May 2020 RCOT supports and safeguards members returning to work during the pandemic RCOT is proud of all of our members and recognises the amazing and challenging role that they are playing in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the health crisis many retired, self- employed and student members are being enlisted to join the NHS in roles to support the existing workforce. RCOT wants to ensure that these members, along with all of our professional members, have the security and peace of mind of having insurance cover and access to the appropriate professional support. We ask that members who are taking on these new roles get in touch with RCOT’s membership team so that the Royal College can ensure you have access to full membership benefits at no additional cost. This will provide you with professional indemnity insurance for carrying out occupational therapy roles and professional support from Unison during the crisis. The following members are eligible: • retired and self-employed members on the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) temporary register, and registered or temporarily registered as an NHS volunteer or bank worker; • final year students who have completed all required practice placement learning, are on the HCPC temporary register and working as part of the volunteer NHS workforce; and • students who are either in their first year of postgraduate studies, second year (or third year in Scotland) of undergraduate studies and those in their final year who have not yet completed their required practice placements and are working as a band three position alongside their studies. All eligible members can contact the membership team at [email protected] with the following information: your BAOT number; confirmation that you are on the HCPC temporary register, ideally with your registration number; confirmation that you are registered as an NHS volunteer/bank worker; your employer’s name and address. Once the information has been received, we will provide confirmation and further details. Retired occupational therapists who are not currently members but are returning to work in these roles are invited to join RCOT today in the retired member category to receive the peace of mind provided by having insurance and professional support.