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Professional resources
Outdoors and nature in occupational therapy
On 17 January 2022 , the first ‘ Outdoors and Nature in Occupational Therapy ’ practitioner meeting took place , following an article in OTnews in July 2021 , which called for occupational therapists who were drawing on the outdoors and nature in their practice , or would be interested in this area , to get in touch .
Eight UK-based occupational therapists , who work across a range of practice areas , from mental health , children ’ s services , in independent practice , and in policy and emerging roles took part .
The meeting was held virtually , and had representation from England , Northern Ireland and Wales .
Claire Gardiner , Health Development Specialist SET Outdoors , South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust , Northern Ireland , presented her work around co-ordinating a programme of heath-focused outdoor activities , led by healthcare professionals and supported by the expertise of specialists in the outdoor sector .
Claire described that , despite the service not being an occupational therapy service , she uses the occupational therapy lens to help focus the development of the programmes .
She also shared The Institute for Outdoor Learning ’ s guidance for good practice in outdoor mental health interventions www . outdoor-learning . org / Good-Practice / Good-Practice / Outdoor-Mental-Health .
The group has a private online Basecamp Group with a ‘ chat ’ space , events and resources pages , and also a space where meeting agendas and notes can be shared .
The next online event will be in July 2022 . New members are welcome Hannahb @ pembrokeshirecoast . org . uk .
NICE publishes important guidance on rehabilitation after traumatic injury
New guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence ( NICE ), published on 18 January , covers complex rehabilitation needs after traumatic injury , including assessment and goal setting , rehabilitation plans and programmes , physical , psychological and cognitive rehabilitation , rehabilitation for specific injuries , co-ordination of rehabilitation in hospital , at discharge and in the community , and commissioning and organising rehabilitation services .
Sinead Savory , a Major Trauma Rehabilitation Lead at Newcastle , and NICE guideline committee member representing occupational therapy for the development of the guidelines , said : ‘ The guideline is vital to allied health professionals working within rehabilitation after traumatic injury because there has never been such a guideline before , and since the introduction of major trauma networks in 2012 ( 2010 in London ), more people are surviving traumatic injuries .
‘ These people require rehabilitation to enable them to regain their independence and achieve their goals .
‘ The guideline is specifically important for occupational therapists working within this area of practice as there are recommendations that directly involve , and refer to , occupational therapy , although these recommendations should not be used in isolation , but as part of the guideline as a whole .’
Download NICE guideline [ NG211 ] Rehabilitation after traumatic injury www . nice . org . uk / guidance / NG211
54 OTnews February 2022