Students in Nottingham collaborate with occupational therapists to showcase the profession within acute settings
A group of students from a variety of backgrounds , including occupational therapy learners , working with elderly inpatients at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust have been part of a scheme to create a promotional video that highlights the role of occupational therapy within an acute setting .
Participants of the ‘ Graduates for Nottingham ’ challenge created the video the ensure that carers of older patients are better informed about the care of their loved ones , and also to showcase the project to other occupational therapy students , team members , and the community at large .
The project was filmed during the pandemic , when carers were unable to visit elderly patients .
The team is comprised of 20 clinicians working across nine wards , who all play a crucial role in the patient journey and discharge process .
Joanne McAulay , from therapy services , said : ‘ We treat frail older people who are admitted as emergency care to our wards . We have an essential role in assessing our patients and identifying how they will be discharged from hospital . This can involve some sensitive conversations and advocating on behalf of patients and their families .’
Occupational therapist Debaleena Mcgrogan added : ‘ We often get mistaken for physiotherapists by people who don ’ t know the difference [ between us and them ]. It was important to highlight that , from the very first point of meeting a patient , we start thinking about how they ’ re going to leave hospital and avoid keeping them longer than necessary , which is not beneficial for people ’ s wellbeing or mobility .’
With a discharge assessment model in place , the team then liaises with the patient ’ s service providers to find out how they have been managing at home , and what mobility support they need .
Debaleena explained that the team is also involved in assessing a patient ’ s cognition , as many have dementia or delirium , working with physiotherapists to assess mobility , and with an integrated discharge team to support the aftercare process .
Watch the video ‘ Exploring the role of an occupational therapist ’ on YouTube www . youtube . com / watch ? v = UXnSg91iSH4 .
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National Housing Agency appoints RCOT member for new role
Foundations , the National Body for Home Improvement Agencies in England , has appointed occupational therapist Rachel Russell , as its senior regional adviser .
Rachel , through her role on the RCOT Specialist Section – Housing , has previously collaborated with Foundations , when RCOT jointly hosted the Disabled Facilities Grant ( DFG ) Summit in December 2015 , before being invited to the government-commissioned DFG and adaptations review in 2017 .
Rachel has published a Blog on the Foundations website which details her education and career to date , and the work she has done as part of the Housing LIN team that led to the publication in 2019 of RCOT ’ s Adaptations without delay .
She says : ‘ I ’ ve joined Foundations because of their vision to lead and inspire positive change in delivery of home adaptations . At the heart of what
Foundations does is the regional advice team , so leading this team is an exciting opportunity to support practitioners across England who are involved in the DFG process .
‘ To influence at a strategic level other housing interventions that keep people warm , safe , and secure in their homes is also a privilege .’
Read more at www . foundations . uk . com / introducing-the-new-senior-regional-advisorhere-at-foundations .
To influence at a strategic level other housing interventions that keep people warm , safe , and secure in their homes is also a privilege .”
12 OTnews February 2022