Occupational Therapy
Supporting local patients with life-limiting illnesses
Our care
Will I have to pay towards my care?
No you will not have to pay for your care.
Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust is a charity that provides free care to their local community.
How do I leave feedback?
You can access our feedback form via our website or you can speak to a member of staff when using the services directly.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy provides practical support to empower people to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the activities (or occupations) that matter to them. This support increases people’s independence and satisfaction in all aspects of life.
“Occupation” as a term refers to practical and purposeful activities that allow people to live independently and have a sense of identity. This could be essential day-to-day tasks such as self-care, work or leisure.
Think about your day-to-day life; would you be able to cope or live fully if you didn’t have access to the internet? Or couldn’t get out of bed in the morning? Or play as you wanted with you children?
An occupational therapist’s job role is to help people of all ages overcome the effects of disability caused by illness so that they can carry out everyday tasks or occupations.
An occupational therapist will consider all of the patient’s needs – physical, psychological, social and environmental. This support can make a real difference giving people a renewed sense of purpose, opening up new horizons, and changing the way they feel about the future.
Where can the Occupational Therapist see me?
If you can get to Blythe House and this is appropriate, you can be seen in a clinic. Sometimes however, it is better for an OT to see you in your own surroundings.
Referrals
How do I get referred?
You can refer yourself or a family member/friend can do it for you. You can also be referred by a health or social care professional. Whatever the route, you can telephone our Care Navigators and do it over the phone or via our website.
Meet the Team
Miriam Haddock- Our in house Occupational Therapist
‘I have moved around a lot in my 14-year career as an OT, from the Midlands to the Highlands. This has allowed me to take examples of good practice from around the country and apply it to my own clinical work. I have worked for a number of acute Hospital Trusts and as part of many community teams, both as an active team member and a Team Lead. My clinical experience has been varied; ranging from neurology to surgery and oncology and general rehabilitation.’
FAQ’S
What happens once I am referred?
The OT or Care Navigator will be in touch to make an appointment for you initial assessment. This may last 45-90 minutes depending on issues raised. From this point we will set goals and make a plan that everyone is happy moving forward with. You will then receive the necessary amount of treatment sessions to hopefully meet your goal and address and performance deficits.
How do OTs help people?
By either compensating and using equipment to support participation in everyday activities, providing rehabilitation or looking at different ways to complete activities.
Once I am discharged, is that it?
No. If you need support in the future, just re-refer.
What happens if there are things that the OT can’t help with?
They will try and refer you on to the most appropriate person or service to address your difficulty.