Occupational Therapy News OTnews May 2020 | Page 7

COVID-19 NEWS Concerns people having stroke are not calling 999 The staff choir at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, which includes occupational therapists, have released a charity single to raise funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Breathe Harmony Choir recorded Anytime You Need A Friend by Mariah Carey, with staff joining together virtually from different locations to record their vocals on their phones. The video garnered a retweet from Mariah Carey herself and the choir has since featured on 5 News and Sky News, featuring occupational therapist Jane Collier talking about the single. The choir was set up by the MyCool Music Foundation and Breathe Arts Health Research, which is also continuing to run its Breathe Sing group for people with respiratory conditions virtually to support potentially-isolated people. See the video and find the download links at: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=_mpT2vJgzp0. Concerns are mounting that people across the UK who have a stroke are not calling 999 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stroke Association is warning that people will be at risk of severe disability or death if they do not seek emergency help during a stroke or transient ischemic attack. Dr Deb Lowe, the NHS national clinical director for stroke, said there were ‘striking reductions’ in the number of people seeking emergency help, possibly due to a fear of the virus and not wanting to be a burden on the NHS. Latest figures show A&E attendances dropping by a third in England and over 40 per cent in Scotland. The Stroke Association is warning that any delay in getting help will jeopardise a person’s ability to rebuild your life after stroke. Occupational therapists join charity single choir – and get Mariah Carey’s approval Providing Specialist Seating to Health Care Professionals for 25 years. Our commitment is that we are dedicated to supporting you and your clients; whether it is a remote Specialist Seating assessment, educational resources or a Q&A session with our Clinical Specialist. We have provided insightful training videos, turned around Specialist Seating requests in 1 day, provided 40 HydroTilt’s to an Intensive Care Unit and customised chairs for the unique needs of many clients. If you need support then we are on hand to help in any way that we can. Contact us today to find out how we can support you. www.careflex.co.uk | [email protected] | 0800 018 6440 N202 OTnews May 2020 7