OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT

There are presently two Senior Occupational Therapists based at the Hospice:

          Nina Pardesi – full time;

          Liz Ellis-Neal – part time

 

We work within the multidisciplinary team towards holistic patient care and our service is available to any patient who is known to the Hospice as an inpatient, Day Hospice patient or within their own home in the community.

 Occupational Therapists can provide:

Knowledge of the safe use and provision of specialist furniture, equipment and environmental adaptations to help cope with changing ability. This may facilitate discharge home from the Hospice or enable a patient to maximise independence within their own home.

• An understanding and advice on lifestyle management such as identifying priorities, making choices and adapting to change.
• An understanding of self esteem and confidence issues and the importance of role.
• Information, advice and guidance about fatigue and breathlessness management.
• Assistance with relaxation and anxiety management.
• Advice on falls prevention.

Our main aim is to improve quality of life and to help patients to have a sense of control. We aim to maximise independence whilst considering safety and comfort. We recognise the individuality of each person and the Occupational Therapists starting point will always be the choices and priorities of the patient and their families and carers; this guides the way ahead.

We have close links with other agencies in the community such as District Nurses, Macmillan Nurses, Social Workers, Community Occupational Therapists and Care Agencies etc. and can liaise with other professionals if required but will only do so with the patients (or their representatives) permission.

We are very happy to discuss whether a referral to an Occupational Therapist would be of help and can be contacted at the Hospice on 01743 236565 ext 555 (We have an answer phone so please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible).