Occupational therapy

About Occupational therapy

The unique aim of occupational therapy (OT) is to assess the complex physical, psychological, cognitive and social needs of individuals in order to support them to maximise their potential and lead healthy and fulfilling lives by improving their function. The specialised problem solving skills of occupational therapists means that we can deliver rapid assessment and maintain a patient focussed holistic approach.

OT aims to enable and empower people to be competent and confident in their daily lives in order that their well-being is promoted and the effects of dysfunction and environmental barriers are minimised. In order to achieve this, occupational therapists, in partnership with patients, use everyday tasks and occupations therapeutically to achieve meaningful goals which are relevant to the individuals’ daily lives.

Occupational therapists are registered by the Health Professions Council and as such are required to meet and maintain the standards of proficiency, standards of conduct, performance and ethics and demonstrate their continuing professional development.

The service

OT services are currently provided at Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Grantham and District Hospital, County Hospital, Louth, Skegness and Distrct General Hospital and Johnson Community Hospital, Spalding. Some aspects of the service are also provided in patient’s own homes. The key areas of OT service provision are:

The service is currently provided on Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm although there are plans to extend the service to cover weekends in the future.

Staffing

The service is provided by 76 staff in total, including 48 registered occupational therapists, 23 support workers and 4.5 admin staff.

Waiting times

The OT service does not operate a formal waiting list for outpatients and community rehabilitation, in the majority of cases the current waiting time from referral to initial assessment is less than four weeks.

Preventing admission to hospital

Occupational therapists work with patients in A & E and Emergency Assessment Units to avoid unnecessary admission to hospital, supporting them to return home safely after a visit to A & E.

Inpatient assessment and rehabilitation

Occupational therapy services are organised into teams providing assessment, rehabilitation and discharge planning to medicine, surgery, oncology/palliative care, trauma and orthopaedics, rehabilitation medicine, elderly care, stroke, obstetrics and gynaecology, and paediatrics (Lincoln only).

Community rehabilitation/outPatient services

These provide specialist assessment and rehabilitation, either on discharge from hospital or following a referral from a GP, consultant or MDT member including neurological conditions, hand therapy, burns and plastics and rheumatology. Some community rehabilitation services are provided for patients who have had a complex discharge from hospital and require ongoing rehabilitation in their own home to meet their functional goals.

Vocational rehabilitation

The occupational therapist is able to work with the patient to identify the skills they require to return to work following injury or illness. To agree an individual treatment programme, monitor and review progress. If the patient is unable to return to their previous employment the therapist is able to advise on alternative work and signpost the patient on to appropriate agencies.