Occupational therapists are now part of the huge effort to roll out the |
Jade Nixon |
Holly Moxham |
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COVID-19 vaccine , with several across the country completing training in order to deliver it to colleagues and patients alike ( see also page 18 ).
Sue Sutton , a Macmillan occupational therapist at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital , put herself forward alongside a fellow team manager at a weekly executive update on COVID-19 where the difficult staffing issues in delivering the vaccine were discussed .
‘ We said we wanted to help and do more ,’ said Sue . ‘ The trust was fantastic ; they trained us up , and now we ’ re delivering vaccines to staff here and from other trusts too .’
The training in delivering the vaccine includes half a day of e-learning on issues such as anaphylactic shock , bespoke resuscitation updates , practical sessions with fake arms , and some initial administration of the vaccine under supervision .
Sue is now contributing a couple of extra days a week , slotting around her existing workload .
Says Sue : ‘ It ’ s a bit different to our normal work , but once you ’ ve done a couple under supervision it is absolutely fine and you can carry out the injections yourself .
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Sue Sutton |
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‘ You do have a sore arm for a couple of days , and some people report minor reactions , but on the whole people are just really grateful it ’ s got going so quick and that we could get back to normal at some point . I think staff see getting it as keeping myself safe , colleagues safe and patients safe , and that ’ s what it ’ s all about .’
Sue hopes it will strengthen the case for more prescribing responsibilities for occupational therapists in future .
Jade Nixon , an NHS community paediatric occupational therapist in Birmingham , put herself forward for the vaccinations after receiving an email seeking staff to deliver it .
‘ I was nervous before doing this as it ’ s something completely different to my normal work , but it ’ s a thorough training process , and it ’ s a brilliant opportunity to learn ,’ she says . ‘ I got to shadow a nurse before going out on my own . I thought it would be a really good opportunity for the NHS . I love my community work but I wanted to be on the frontline to contribute to this .’
Jade has now completed her vaccination training and says that she intends to use her occupational therapy skills , particularly around communication , to support people who are nervous when she starts administering the vaccinations .
She is keen for other occupational therapists to put themselves forward to support others with delivering the vaccine . ‘ The training is really thorough and there has been regular contact with me so if I didn ’ t want to do it I could step back ,’ she says . ‘ Talk to your team managers about it as you ’ re probably not alone and there could be others wanting to do it . It ’ s a real chance to help your community .’
Holly Moxham , a highly specialist occupational therapist working in hand therapy at the Royal Bolton Hospital , is another member now delivering vaccines . She was already hoping to start delivering steroid injections under a patient group direction ( PGD ), the one existing route through which occupational therapists have been able to deliver injections , but is now also delivering vaccines to staff during bank shifts in addition to her existing job .
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Holly is one of the first occupational therapists at her trust delivering the vaccine and she is proud to be pioneering the work .
She says : ‘ I have started to give the vaccination as I feel my contribution will go towards helping the wider population and reducing the transmission of the virus . It ’ s a worthwhile opportunity for all involved and definitely something I would recommend .
‘ As an occupational therapist I was apprehensive about how efficiently I would be able to deliver the vaccine but you are well supported by nursing staff until I felt competent to do them independently .’
Paul Cooper , RCOT lead professional adviser , said : ‘ It ’ s great that occupational therapists have been able to support the vaccine rollout . Providing vaccinations shows the public health role of being an occupational therapist – and can help keep people well and able to do the things they want and need to do .
‘ If you ’ re looking to take part in the supply and administration of the vaccine then it ’ s really important that , as with the members featured here , your employers provide the right training , advice and guidance to deliver them and that you are confident in your ability to administer the vaccine safely . Members should also seek assurance from their employers about cover in the rare cases of something going wrong .
‘ Also , the Royal College is aware of existing pressures on services and impact on occupational therapy . As such we would encourage members to work with their service leads to administer the vaccine alongside providing existing occupational therapy services .’
Any members with questions about supplying and administering injections can contact the RCOT Professional Practice Enquiry service on : professional . enquiries @ rcot . co . uk or 020 3141 4630 . For more information on administration of vaccine , visit : www . rcot . co . uk / covid19 .
There is more information on RCOT ’ s work to extend occupational therapists ’ medicines responsibilities at www . rcot . co . uk / practiceresources / occupational-therapy-topics / medicines-optimisation .
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