Occupational Therapy

Introduction

Occupational Therapists work with people of all ages to help them to overcome the effects of disability caused by physical or psychological illness, developmental problems, accident or ageing and enable them to lead full and satisfying lives, as independently as possible. Although we are based at at all three hospitals in the Trust, Diana, Princess of Wales, Grimsby, Goole and District Hospital and Scunthorpe General Hospital, we do, due to the nature of our work, see patients at home or their place of residence and in their workplace or schools.

As Occupational therapists, much of our work focuses on the functional implications of illness or disability or the individual and, as such, may involve assessment of, and rehabilitation for, relevant daily living activities - for example, aspects of personal care and meal preparation. This work may be carried out whilst someone is in hospital or at their place of residence, following discharge. If necessary, your Occupational Therapist may recommend the provision of a piece of equipment - e.g. a raised toilet seat. However, this is only a very small part of our work and equipment is only ever recommended when there is not an alternative.

In addition to the above, a number of our occupational therapists provide in and out-patient rehabilitation for specific groups of patients - for example, people with hand/arm injuries (or following surgery), people with arthritic conditions and people who have had a stroke.

Another aspect of our work is that of splinting - this may be recommended by your consultant, your doctor or by your therapist.

All Occupational Therapy staff work closely with their colleagues as part of a 'multidisciplinary' team. Each clinical area of work has an Occupational Therapist in charge of the day-to-day running of the section - their uniforms are usually white dresses or tunics with bottle green trousers. Tunics and dresses are trimmed with bottle green. Working closely along side us are Occupational Therapy, Health Care or Rehabilitation Assistants - their uniforms are similar to that of Occupational Therapists but are trimmed with aqua (turquoise) at Grimsby and Goole and at Scunthorpe pale blue trimmed with navy.