Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy services in the Mater Hospital Trust cover both Acute Psychiatry, the Medical & Surgical wards and A & E. On the physical side Occupational Therapists are involved in the assessment and acute rehabilitation of patients whilst in hospital, maximising their functional independence and potential as well as liaising closely with Community Occupational Therapy colleagues regarding further rehabilitation and provision of aids and equipment once discharged.

Dynamic Splinting

In addition Occupational Therapists play an active part in the Hand Clinic at the Mater Hospital. This service has grown rapidly over the past number of years and Occupational Therapists offer specialist assessment and treatment of hand injuries including scar management, oedema reduction, sensory re-education and graded activity programmes. They also provide the latest in both static and dynamic splinting techniques to provide for the needs of acute injuries and to encourage maximum functional restoration. We are also developing our service to patients undergoing hand surgery in both the Elective Surgical Unit and Day Procedure Unit. Additionally, we are extending our service to include rehabilitation of “burns and plastics” patients from Regional centres who live locally.

Increasingly Occupational Therapists are being asked to assess elderly patients who have presented at A & E following a fall. Our role here is to identify risk factors, perhaps related to their home environment and through liaison with our community colleagues prevent admission and facilitate a safer and more effective discharge home. This, coupled with our Falls Prevention Class at ward level, are key areas in our work with the elderly population. We have also extensive involvement in prevention of pressure ulcer development with our wide range of pressure relieving cushions and specialist seating available.

In Mental Health Occupational Therapists are active members of the multi-disciplinary team and work with both in-patients, day-patients and out-patients. Our concern, here is how a person’s illness affects their skills and confidence in carrying out day-to-day tasks. We have a strong emphasis on community living skills, involving the use of local resources and facilities, for example Leisure Centres, libraries and shops. We are particularly involved in the training and vocational needs of people with mental health difficulties and to this end have established a monthly "Job Clinic" in conjunction with the Training & Employment Agency and Action Mental Health to look at and support people who are suitable for training and /or employment.