Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centred profession which promotes health and well being, with the goal of enabling people to participate in their daily activities. This is achieved by carrying out a holistic assessment at the centre, based on the patient and carers wishes, then forming a treatment plan. The treatment plan may include advising on techniques or compensatory strategies, educating carers, providing equipment, and/or recommending adaptations to the environment in order to increase a person’s independence and safety in participating in the activities of life.
Our Occupational Therapist, Heidi, receives referrals from the InPatient Unit and the Day Hospice. The common thread for each referral is to promote independence and safety, whether it is on the InPatient Unit, or in a patient’s own home. The Occupational Therapist is available Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm.
“I’m often the link between the Martlets and a patient’s home. I’ll assesses the home environment to ensure the patient will be able to have the best quality of life when he/she is discharged home; if it’s needed I’ll prescribe equipment like toilet aids, bath lifts, profiling beds, chair raisers, and walking aids or wheelchairs to assist the carers, or to allow the patient to be more independent.
I’ll also re-visit and re-assess if the patient’s needs and abilities change. I work closely with the staff on the In-Patient unit and the Day Hospice, the community Macmillan nurses, the Martlets at Home team, District Nurses, and the Martlets Care Agency."