Occupational therapy
What we do
We help people whose ability to function in daily life has been disrupted by physical illness or injury, developmental problems, the ageing process, or mental or emotional illness.
The aim of occupational therapy is to assist each individual in achieving an independent, productive and satisfying lifestyle as possible. The methods employed are based on function and meaningful activity.
Our occupational therapists are involved throughout the whole patient journey from acute or emergency inpatient care, to rehabilitation within community hospitals and outpatient clinics.
We cover the following pathways:
- adult medical
- trauma orthopaedics and surgery
- stroke
- adult neurological and major trauma rehabilitation
Our therapists liaise closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team (including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, etc.) and their colleagues in health and social care.
Inpatient services
Acute hospital:
- Teach the patient new ways to manage their personal and domestic activities of daily living to enable them to maintain their independence whilst recovering from illness whilst in hospital.
- Assist the individual in dealing with emotional aspects of their physical condition.
- Assess and where applicable provide equipment & minor adaptations to facilitate independent living.
- Identify the need for a package of care through assessment if independence has been compromised.
- Refer to other services, including intermediate care, falls team & health & social care for further community input.
Rehabilitation in community hospitals:
- Enable patients to reach their maximum potential through a period of intensive therapy to practice & relearn skills.
- Assess and where applicable provide equipment & minor adaptations to facilitate independent living.
- Provide social interaction through group activities.
- Identify the need for a package of care through the assessment process when the patient has reached their full potential & maximum independence has been reached.
Stroke:
- Reduce or suppress tone and abnormal movement patterns.
- Improve sensation and facilitation of normal movement.
- Achieve body symmetry and balance.
- Increase independence in activities of daily living and life roles.
- Achieve upper limb quality of movement and hand dexterity.
- Minimise the impact of perceptual problems and reduce any associated risk.
- Minimise the impact of cognitive problems and reduce any associated risk.
Outpatient services
Hand therapy:
- Exercise, manipulation and provision of splints to increase range of movement and function and prevent or correct deformity.
- Scar management.
- Sensory re-training.
- Reduction of pain/swelling.
- Advice about return to work and social activity.
Long-term neurological conditions and medical outpatients:
- Assessment of functional activities of daily living, with provision of advice, equipment and minor adaptations.
- Assessment and retraining programmes for perceptual and cognitive dysfunction.
- Neuro-rehabilitation techniques to facilitate return of upper limb function and reduce abnormal movements.
- Fatigue management
- Hand splinting
- Vocational/ leisure advice and support
- Assessment for environmental controls
- Referrals to other agencies e.g. wheelchair services, care and repair, benefit advice, and liaison with support agencies for the varying conditions.
Preparing for your appointment
Inpatients and outpatients are given an initial formal assessment of their needs by either a female or male occupational therapist. If you think you will be unable to provide the necessary information during the assessment it would be helpful to bring a family member or friend / carer to assist you.
Contact and location
Inpatients
Warwick Hospital
Tel: +44(0)1926 495 321 Ext 4672
Stratford Hospital Nicol Unit
Tel: +44(0)1926 495321 Ext 5206
Ellen Badger Hospital
Tel: +44(0)1608 661410 Option 4
Leamington Spa Hospital: Stroke
Tel: +44(0)1926 317700 Ext 7547
Leamington Spa Hospital: Adult Neuro and Major Trauma
Tel: +44(0)1926 317700 Ext 7527
Outpatients
Outpatient clinics are held at Warwick Hospital, Leamington Spa Hospital, Stratford Hospital and Ellen Badger Hospital.
Stroke Outreach Service is based at Leamington Spa Hospital but therapists visit the patients in their own homes.
Appointments for all Medical and Hand Therapy clinics are arranged via the Therapies Call Centre tel: +44(0)1926 608068
Hitchman Day Patients (Adult Neuro Rehabilitation)
Tel: +44(0)1926 317700 Ext 7527.
Stroke Outreach Service
Tel: +44(0)1926 317700 Ext 7833
