Acute care and directly refers to pathways including the Community Response Team , Reablement and Community Recovery Service .
Acute care and directly refers to pathways including the Community Response Team , Reablement and Community Recovery Service .
As we are ward-based and receive daily updates on the patient ’ s medical status , we know the optimum time for the patient to leave the hospital environment . Additional laptops and mobiles were provided for the team to complete timely discharge pathway referrals and improve communication between themselves and patient carers and relatives .
Virtual patient flow meetings are conducted twice a day to help facilitate discharges between multi-agency teams within the trust . The department has also employed a progress chaser to attend these calls and oversee discharge pathway referrals , while allowing qualified staff more clinical patient time .
The occupational therapy service has utilised the trust ’ s vital volunteer service and regularly requests that essential equipment is delivered to patients ’ homes to avoid any discharge delays .
We understand that patient hospital delays are detrimental and the home is the best environment to assess and rehabilitate in . Although we have reduced our ‘ bread and butter ’ functional assessments , we have seen significant reduction in perceived therapy delays , embraced challenges and showcased a multiskilled workforce that is patient-care focused and open to change , while adding extra strings to our occupational therapy bow .
We have embraced the challenge of those difficult conversations with families to help facilitate a safe and effective patient journey .
We have become a multi-skilled workforce by completing mental capacity assessments to help ensure that they are completed in a timely manner . We have adapted our non-clinical duties and built skills in technology and carry out most of our training sessions and meetings virtually . We also request our complex cases are followed through by the allocated occupational therapist to ensure a more streamlined service and continuity of care .
To support our staff , a regular wellbeing group has been developed and newsletters sent out to all staff to promote the engagement in wellbeing activities suggested by the group , to help reduce work-related pressures .
We are so proud of our team and how hard they have worked through challenging times and processes and would encourage all occupational therapists , whether newly qualified or experienced , to look at the acute hospital setting as part of their career to develop their breadth of knowledge and both enhance and utilise existing skills .
Every day is a learning opportunity and although , at times , it can be very stressful , the hustle and bustle and the variety of professionals we work alongside and absorb knowledge and skills from , far outweighs the challenges of the role .
Although we have changed some aspects of our historical role , we have gained a variety of new adaptable skills that make the occupational therapy profession even more attractive and involved in the discharge process . We play a significant part in the patient ’ s journey and hope this article will help you to look at innovative ways to enhance your current and future practice too .
Words CHANTELLE LEDIARD and JENNIFER ANSELL , Advanced Occupational Therapists , Warwick Hospital , South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
An ever-changing , rewarding environment
Working in the acute setting is challenging , rewarding and ever changing . Being an occupational therapist is a lifelong learning role , with variety in each day and each setting .
September 2023 OTnews 35