Welcome to the September issue of OTnews Congratulations to all those students who have successfully qualified as occupational therapists this year – if you graduated from a UK higher education institute since 3 February 2010 you should find your name in the special graduate listing included with this issue (pages 34 to 36). In July’s issue we focused on some of the issues facing newly-qualified practitioners, from preceptorship programmes to newly-emerging non-traditional roles outside of the NHS and social care sectors, to Health Professions Council registration and the benefits of being a BAOT/Unison member. Those student members who have been receiving OTnews as part of their BAOT membership package, alongside all the other valuable benefits, and don’t want to stop receiving it, should remember to renew their BAOT membership as a professional member – with 25 per cent off the membership subscription fee for the first year. For all other students who have yet to complete their studies, this issue takes a look at some examples of innovative practice placement opportunities, which may help you with ideas for your forthcoming year of study. For those OTs who might have flirted with the idea of taking a student on placement in the past, but dismissed it due to productivity requirements, high workloads, generic working, part-time working, lack of desk space, other priorities, or ongoing changes to practice delivery, should turn to page 30. Dr Theresa Baxter and Frances Bolton set out to ‘explode the urban myth’ of practice placement folklore. I hope their article might encourage you to take the steps towards providing students with the opportunity to undertake a placement in your setting – if you do not already do so – as it is clear the yearly struggle to find enough placements to meet students’ needs is an ongoing dilemma for the whole profession. Coping on campus If you’re a stressed out student, then beware: not all coping methods are the same, says Shirley Kelly Learning from teaching Rebecca Southworth reflects on her experience as a first time educator The positives of long-arm supervision Lesley Garrity reports on the success of an elective role emerging placement in a chronic fatigue syndrome service, with long arm supervision Making research creative Two students share their experience of using creative skills within a research placement setting Changing the educator’s attitude to supervision Corinna Klaentschi describes how a trip to Bangladesh to train OT educators will hopefully improve the international practice placement experience of UK students Bridging the gap in social inclusion Third year student Lisa McCarley recently spent 12 weeks within community mental health services. Here she reflects on the success of the ‘The Buddy Beat’ group Unravelling the myth of practice placement education Why do so many OTs feel unable to offer students a practice placement? Dr Theresa Baxter and Frances Bolton explode the ‘urban myth’ of placement folklore Can OTs engage with Payment by Results Dr Mary Morley looks at the progress of Payment by Results in mental health Walk and talk your way to health Hilary Kenny explains how her occupational therapy skills are being put to good use in her capacity as a volunteer walk leader for Natural England Treating lymphoedema: what OTs can do Susie Boxall and Naomi Taplin report on a Macmillan pilot scheme to treat chronic Lymphoedema Gordon’s Gadgets Assistive technologies: what’s worked and what hasn’t for this man with MND? Fast tracking to reduce waiting list times Caroline Pomeroy and Gemma Jones, community occupational therapists at Medway Council, share service user feedback on the introduction of an occupational therapy ’fast track’ telephone service Return to practice Norma Clark and Margaret Braid explain how a creative look at recruitment has helped ease a staffing crisis An extra dimension Phillippa Sharpe looks at what’s involved in becoming a best interest assessor Occupational therapy and the personalisation agenda SCIE and COT have recently launched a personalisation briefing looking at the implications for OTs working in social care. Rachel Richardson-Wright looks at how OTs can deliver this agenda Safeguarding the vulnerable: an OT’s role Andrew Mickel speaks to safeguarding OT Fiona Hutchison about preventing abuse in care homes Welcome to the August issue of OTnews The COT’s 34th annual conference and exhibition, held in June in Brighton, and incorporating the annual events of the COT Specialist Sections – Older People and HIV/Aids, Oncology and Palliative Care, saw a wide range of plenary and keynote speakers comment on occupational therapy practice, education and research.The focus continues with reflections from Julia Scott, COT chief executive (page 15), who comments that the event ‘provided ample opportunities for a wealth of emotions, experiences, learning, laughter and reinvigorated commitments to relationships and networks’. Then on page 16, we report from the 2010 UK Occupational Therapy Foundation’s celebratory lunch, held during conference, which supported the foundation’s work and was a vehicle for announcing this year’s UKOTRF grant winners. On top of the wide range of paper presentations, workshops and seminars, there were a number of COT-led sessions and a large debate where delegates voted for or against the controversial motion. Also in this issue we have interviews with this year’s COT Merit Award winners, Peter Hewin, Sue Rugg, Jane Clewes, Sharon Tuppeny and Janet Ivey (page 28), who were all presented with their awards before this year’s prestigious Casson Memorial Lecture (page 22). Moving on to this issue’s features and we are delighted to be the first to bring you a report by Jose Rafols, an OT with the US military, who passionately believes that OTs are ‘blazing the pioneering trail’ with ‘deployable restoration centres’ along the eastern border region of Afghanistan. Accelerating process in stroke care Amy Edwards looks at the progress made since the 2005 release of the Department of Health’s report on faster access to stroke care The value of wearing a uniform Does the wearing of a uniform contribute to a stronger professional identity? Stacey Wain reports on a six-month pilot to introduce a uniform for OTs within an older adult mental health ward Are you keeping an eye on the evidence? Mandy Sainty explains how NHS Evidence can help practitioners to engage with evidence-based practice Prompting service developments through peer support Melissa Jacobs and Fiona Carnegie explain how a service user coffee morning prompted a change in practice for upper limb amputee rehabilitation Back to basics In 2008, a part-time post was established to provide the opportunity to develop an occupational therapy service for people with back pain at Kettering General Hospital. Anna Cockayne reports Blazing new trails in the treatment of battlefield related mild-traumatic brain injuries Occupational therapists are ‘blazing new trails’ in the treatment of battlefield related mild-traumatic brain injuries. Jose Rafols reports from Eastern Afghanistan on the management of post-concussed injuries in a forward deployed setting The HPC audit – it happened to me! Melanie Larkin recounts her horror at being selected for last year’s HPC audit, which soon turned to constructive delight as she discovered the value of continuing professional development A colourful jigsaw Mark Hall and Jackie Pottle talk about the enriching experience of service development Traffic light priority in palliative care occupational therapy How do you prioritise referrals to OT when they all appear to be urgent? Jackie Pottle explains
Welcome to the September issue of OTnews
Congratulations to all those students who have successfully qualified as occupational therapists this year – if you graduated from a UK higher education institute since 3 February 2010 you should find your name in the special graduate listing included with this issue (pages 34 to 36). In July’s issue we focused on some of the issues facing newly-qualified practitioners, from preceptorship programmes to newly-emerging non-traditional roles outside of the NHS and social care sectors, to Health Professions Council registration and the benefits of being a BAOT/Unison member. Those student members who have been receiving OTnews as part of their BAOT membership package, alongside all the other valuable benefits, and don’t want to stop receiving it, should remember to renew their BAOT membership as a professional member – with 25 per cent off the membership subscription fee for the first year. For all other students who have yet to complete their studies, this issue takes a look at some examples of innovative practice placement opportunities, which may help you with ideas for your forthcoming year of study. For those OTs who might have flirted with the idea of taking a student on placement in the past, but dismissed it due to productivity requirements, high workloads, generic working, part-time working, lack of desk space, other priorities, or ongoing changes to practice delivery, should turn to page 30. Dr Theresa Baxter and Frances Bolton set out to ‘explode the urban myth’ of practice placement folklore. I hope their article might encourage you to take the steps towards providing students with the opportunity to undertake a placement in your setting – if you do not already do so – as it is clear the yearly struggle to find enough placements to meet students’ needs is an ongoing dilemma for the whole profession.
Coping on campus If you’re a stressed out student, then beware: not all coping methods are the same, says Shirley Kelly
Learning from teaching Rebecca Southworth reflects on her experience as a first time educator
The positives of long-arm supervision Lesley Garrity reports on the success of an elective role emerging placement in a chronic fatigue syndrome service, with long arm supervision
Making research creative Two students share their experience of using creative skills within a research placement setting
Changing the educator’s attitude to supervision Corinna Klaentschi describes how a trip to Bangladesh to train OT educators will hopefully improve the international practice placement experience of UK students
Bridging the gap in social inclusion Third year student Lisa McCarley recently spent 12 weeks within community mental health services. Here she reflects on the success of the ‘The Buddy Beat’ group
Unravelling the myth of practice placement education Why do so many OTs feel unable to offer students a practice placement? Dr Theresa Baxter and Frances Bolton explode the ‘urban myth’ of placement folklore
Can OTs engage with Payment by Results Dr Mary Morley looks at the progress of Payment by Results in mental health
Walk and talk your way to health Hilary Kenny explains how her occupational therapy skills are being put to good use in her capacity as a volunteer walk leader for Natural England
Treating lymphoedema: what OTs can do Susie Boxall and Naomi Taplin report on a Macmillan pilot scheme to treat chronic Lymphoedema
Gordon’s Gadgets Assistive technologies: what’s worked and what hasn’t for this man with MND?
Fast tracking to reduce waiting list times Caroline Pomeroy and Gemma Jones, community occupational therapists at Medway Council, share service user feedback on the introduction of an occupational therapy ’fast track’ telephone service
Return to practice Norma Clark and Margaret Braid explain how a creative look at recruitment has helped ease a staffing crisis
An extra dimension Phillippa Sharpe looks at what’s involved in becoming a best interest assessor
Occupational therapy and the personalisation agenda SCIE and COT have recently launched a personalisation briefing looking at the implications for OTs working in social care. Rachel Richardson-Wright looks at how OTs can deliver this agenda
Safeguarding the vulnerable: an OT’s role Andrew Mickel speaks to safeguarding OT Fiona Hutchison about preventing abuse in care homes
Welcome to the August issue of OTnews
The COT’s 34th annual conference and exhibition, held in June in Brighton, and incorporating the annual events of the COT Specialist Sections – Older People and HIV/Aids, Oncology and Palliative Care, saw a wide range of plenary and keynote speakers comment on occupational therapy practice, education and research.The focus continues with reflections from Julia Scott, COT chief executive (page 15), who comments that the event ‘provided ample opportunities for a wealth of emotions, experiences, learning, laughter and reinvigorated commitments to relationships and networks’.
Then on page 16, we report from the 2010 UK Occupational Therapy Foundation’s celebratory lunch, held during conference, which supported the foundation’s work and was a vehicle for announcing this year’s UKOTRF grant winners. On top of the wide range of paper presentations, workshops and seminars, there were a number of COT-led sessions and a large debate where delegates voted for or against the controversial motion.
Also in this issue we have interviews with this year’s COT Merit Award winners, Peter Hewin, Sue Rugg, Jane Clewes, Sharon Tuppeny and Janet Ivey (page 28), who were all presented with their awards before this year’s prestigious Casson Memorial Lecture (page 22). Moving on to this issue’s features and we are delighted to be the first to bring you a report by Jose Rafols, an OT with the US military, who passionately believes that OTs are ‘blazing the pioneering trail’ with ‘deployable restoration centres’ along the eastern border region of Afghanistan. Accelerating process in stroke care Amy Edwards looks at the progress made since the 2005 release of the Department of Health’s report on faster access to stroke care
The value of wearing a uniform Does the wearing of a uniform contribute to a stronger professional identity? Stacey Wain reports on a six-month pilot to introduce a uniform for OTs within an older adult mental health ward
Are you keeping an eye on the evidence? Mandy Sainty explains how NHS Evidence can help practitioners to engage with evidence-based practice
Prompting service developments through peer support Melissa Jacobs and Fiona Carnegie explain how a service user coffee morning prompted a change in practice for upper limb amputee rehabilitation
Back to basics In 2008, a part-time post was established to provide the opportunity to develop an occupational therapy service for people with back pain at Kettering General Hospital. Anna Cockayne reports
Blazing new trails in the treatment of battlefield related mild-traumatic brain injuries Occupational therapists are ‘blazing new trails’ in the treatment of battlefield related mild-traumatic brain injuries. Jose Rafols reports from Eastern Afghanistan on the management of post-concussed injuries in a forward deployed setting
The HPC audit – it happened to me! Melanie Larkin recounts her horror at being selected for last year’s HPC audit, which soon turned to constructive delight as she discovered the value of continuing professional development
A colourful jigsaw Mark Hall and Jackie Pottle talk about the enriching experience of service development
Traffic light priority in palliative care occupational therapy How do you prioritise referrals to OT when they all appear to be urgent? Jackie Pottle explains
Welcome to the July issue of OTnews
Around 1,700 occupational therapy students will graduate over the course of this year and embark on their chosen career paths. We know that many new graduates are concerned about their job prospects in the current political and financial climate, and the anecdotal evidence that we hear from members out there indicates a real ‘mixed bag’ when it comes to recruitment and retention trends for the profession.
With today’s financial climate in the NHS there is no doubt that some trusts are resorting to ‘slash and burn’ techniques in an attempt to manage the fiscal squeeze that all employers are experiencing. But one trend is causing particular anxiety to occupational therapy staff and the trade union alike – ‘downbanding’.
On page 32, Sara Gorton and Sarah Peters of Unison look at the practice of moving whole grades of staff one rung down a pay band. Why is this an issue? Well, when done in response to financial difficulties rather than part of a progressive programme of service redesign, it leads not only to plummeting morale and overstretched services, but to employers breaching equal pay legislation.
On an entirely different note, this month brings you a number of reflective articles from practising and student OTs who have taken their talents abroad to look at occupational therapy services in a wide range of countries, with either a view to helping to develop education and the profession in those countries, or to bring back their multiprofessional and multicultural experiences to impact on their practice in the UK.
Finally, this month sees the 34th COT annual conference and exhibition take place in Brighton, for the second of three years running. On page 18, Andrew Mickel looks back at some of the key issues delegates debated in 2009 and discovers what developments have taken place in a number of areas since then. I hope to meet some of you at this year’s event, but if you cannot be there in person, we will be bringing you all the news and highlights and key outcomes in the August issue.
The impact of ICT on OT Chris Austin and Helen Lycett consider the impact of information and communication technologies on OT practice?
Snakes and Ladders Is your employer looking at ‘downbanding’ staff as a response to impending cuts? Unison’s Sara Gorton and Sarah Peters provide an overview of what this might mean for staff and services
Home visits: a gap in service provision? Camino Ricondo Benito and Alice Cottrell report on the development of a pilot project to implement occupational therapy pre-discharge home visits in mental health, for clients moving from the acute ward setting into the community
Let me tell you about Mike… Vicky Bowden looks at the role of occupational therapy when working with people with personality disorders
To Wii or not to Wii? That is the question... Does the Nintendo Wii™ help to encourage or motivate people with mild learning disabilities into doing more exercise or physical activity? Carolyn Rogers and Clare Liddamore write about a six-week pilot
A scarce resource Donna Koolmees reflects on her contribution to developing occupational therapy practice in Jamaica
An overseas experience for a newly-qualified OT A year after qualifying as an OT, Kate Grange, alongside a physiotherapist colleague, worked with children and young adults with cerebral palsy in Kenya. Here she talks about her experience and what she has gained from her encounter with Kenyan OTs
China and the UK Rhona Young reports on a four-year twinning project between China and the UK, and some similarities and differences in the training of therapists and provision of OT between the two countries
Relating overseas experience to the UK OT student Miral Joshi reflects on her participation in the Study India programme and how it has helped her educational development as well as her overall understanding about a fascinating country?
A new era for OT in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka has been making recent headlines due to the end of the 25-year conflict. Lynn Freeman and Nanthini Sivanesan look at other positive developments on the island in terms of developing OT education
Collaborative working on the Spice Trail OT students Anahita Ahmady and Stephanie Andrews reflect on cultural diversity, following an inter-professional visit to a mission hospital in Kerala, India
Welcome to the May issue of OTnews
This month’s issue looks at a number of examples of how occupational therapists in emergency departments are contributing to quality and efficiency gains, in line with government policy.
On page 24, Amy Edwards, COT professional affairs officer for long-term conditions, introduces the emergency department focus with a look at why it is so important for OTs to demonstrate economic efficiency, add value to services, work in multidisciplinary teams and, perhaps of most importance, take a flexible approach to working in this area.
Away from the emergency department, but still on the issue of quality and productivity, journalist Andrew Mickel asks if OTs are ‘full of ideas’ about meeting the current agenda, or if they are ‘confused about the whole concept’? Regardless of which category you fall into, turn to page 46 for some good examples to give you inspiration.
There is no doubt that the UK is facing a ‘ticking timebomb’ with regards its agening population, and Somerset County Council has seen the number of people requiring two carers – so called ‘double handling’ cases – double between 2005 and 2008. Andrew Mickel travelled to Somerset to meet the OTs involved in tackling the issue and offers ‘five top tips’ for success.
Finally, on page 45, Sylvia Lowes talks about the development of an older persons health and wellbeing occupational therapist post in North Tyneside, working within two new extra care facilities, and the main aims of this new role.
Demonstrating quality and efficiency in A&E Amy Edwards introduces this month’s special focus on the contribution of occupational therapy to quality and efficiency in accident and emergency departments
Therapy in an acute front line service Nicola Hill reviews OT provision in A&E at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust where staffing is in line with the ‘Calderdale Framework’, which provides a clear and systematic method of reviewing skill mix and roles within a service
An evaluation of service provision
OTs in accident and emergency – a slightly different perspective Michelle Howard reflects on the development of a multidisciplinary early intervention team, as part of an integrated discharge team
OT in A&E: a valued and cost effective service? Lisa Powell and Michelle Kingshott look at the recent developments in the A&E OT service at Nevill Hall Hospital that have enabled discharge home for nearly 85 per cent of patients seen
A rapid reaction Hannah Wilkinson discusses how having a multi-professional discharge team in the emergency department enables patients to avoid inappropriate hospital stays
Reducing unnecessary admissions Rachael Eckford, Sophie Bartrum and Katherine Gargett look at some initiatives to improve patient discharge
It’s a FACT: care for older adults Sarah Wallace and Vicky Holden look at the role of occupational therapy within the front door assessment and care team based in the emergency department at Nottingham University Hospital, Queens Medical Centre campus The emergency care therapy team The emergency care therapy team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust covers two hospital acute sites in the North East. Stacey Rutter and Victoria Blakey outline the way the service is organised
OTs in emergency departments: the best use of their skills? Dr Judi Edmans and Ebby Sigmund look at the Department of Health’s Transforming Community Services guide, Ambition, action, achievement: transforming services for acute care closer to home
From A&E to ACE Dr Judi Edmans and Ebby Sigmund talk to OTnews about the relaunch of the COTSS–OP’s acute and emergency care clinical forum
A ticking timebomb Andrew Mickel recently visited OTs in Somerset to find out how the issue of ‘double handling’ is being tackled
Custom made equipment for disabled people Peter Livingstone and Victoria Westwood-Saltmarsh look at examples of the work nationwide charity Remap is undertaking to help people achieve independence
Promoting health and wellbeing to older people Sylvia Lowes talks about the development of a health promotion role with older people, in two newly built, extra supported living schemes in North Tyneside
A ‘doing more with less’ philosophy Are you full of ideas about how you could meet the current quality and productivity agenda, or are you confused about the whole concept? Andrew Mickel reports
Welcome to the April issue of OTnews
In a damning report released on 16 March, members of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee have said that the government has ‘failed to match its commitments to raise the quality and priority of dementia care’. It has also ‘failed to ignite passion, pace and drive or to align leadership, funding, incentives and information’ to help deliver the national dementia strategy, launched in February 2009.
Stating that ‘dementia is like cancer in the 1950s, still very much a hidden disease’, the report laments that ‘not much has happened’ in the last year. The committee feels that dementia should have the same high profile as stroke and cancer, while immediate action is needed to implement the strategy.
Improving dementia services in England – an interim report goes on to say that the Department of Health ‘does not know how the first £60 million of dementia funding has been spent by primary care trusts’ and that ‘the implementation of the strategy is dependent on achieving £1.9 billion of efficiency savings by increasing care in the community and reducing reliance on care provided in care homes and acute hospitals’.
Further criticism is heaped on ‘unacceptable’ regional variations in service provision and the lack of local leadership in NHS hospitals, in primary care and in the social care and care home sector.
But what is the local picture as far as the occupational therapy profession is concerned? This issue is almost entirely focused on occupational therapy and dementia services, kicking off with a look at the critical response to the government’s national dementia strategy.
Contributing to national policy development – an OT’s journey Dr Alison Laver-Fawcett reflects on her work over the last decade to influence policy and improve service provision for people living with dementia
The physiology of the disease Professor Simon Lovestone looks at the cost of Alzheimer’s disease
Love is like a butterfly Using the ‘Butterfly Approach’ to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia
An effective workforce? Jill Pendleton looks at the challenge of providing an ‘informed and effective’ dementia workforce
Environmental design in dementia care Maria McManus provides a brief overview of designing environments for people living with dementia
The dynamics of occupation and social engagement Mark Brown talks to OTnews about his research to evaluate the impact a change in traditional sitting room arrangements in nursing homes has on occupation and social engagement for residents, staff and relatives
Highlighting poor or abusive practices Tracey Samuels talks to Rosemary Hurtley about the development of a new quality improvement standard and change management tool, which aims to help care homes demonstrate their commitment to person-centred care
Work on a dual care ward Rachel Furlong and Jill Davison are OTs working with physical and mental health problems on a dual care ward
Enabling smart technology Nina Evans and Dr Bruce Carey-Smith look at some of the technology available to support independence
Dementia liaison into care homes Samantha Snell talks about her secondment as a dementia liaison practitioner
Combating sensory deprivation in care homes Deepak Deshmukh illustrates how working with people’s interests can help to combat sensory deprivation and reduce challenging behaviour
Westminster opens new memory service
OT in community mental health Sarah Howe demonstrates how an OT approach can positively help people with dementia who are exhibiting challenging behaviour
Dementia-related stigma The research experience of an undergraduate occupational therapy student. Rachel McEwan explores the nature of stigma related to dementia
Living with dementia Joyce Toyn talks to OTnews about living with a spouse who is living with dementia
New partnership in learning Claire Craig looks at the mutually beneficial experience of OT students working with residents in care homes
Innovation and creative solutions Dr Suzanne Martin talks to OTnews about some of the work she undertakes to support innovation for people with dementia
A joyous experience OT Sarah Whyte gives an account of setting up a ‘dance’ group for elderly ladies with dementia
The ‘Tuesday Tea Morning Meeting’ Julia Pitkin shares a personal account of implementing a therapeutic group with people living with dementia
Welcome to the March issue of OTnews
Last month, OTnews was joined by a new permanent part-time journalist, Andrew Mickel, who kicks off this issue by looking at Unison’s critical response to last month’s Conservative Party health manifesto, which plans to put more attention into prevention, and for all providers to operate on a payment by results system through the whole of the NHS.
A letter by Karen Jennings, national secretary of the union’s health group, claims that many policies on choice and payment by results are already being pursued by the current government, and that that rather than axing all targets, the Conservatives still plan to measure outcomes.
Also in the news this month, the government has announced its proposed changes to the Medical Statement, to come into force from April this year. I talk to Anne Byrne, chair of the COT Specialist Section – Work about the College’s response to the original consultation.
Individual budgets are undoubtedly high on the government’s agenda, with personalistion in health being widely propelled forward. So a survey by disability charity Livability that says nine out of 10 disabled young people have never heard of individual budgets and, more worryingly, 54 per cent of those surveyed do not even know which local authorities provide their services, will likely raise some eyebrows.
Those all-important performance indicators Are you engaged in commissioning? OT Nicola Carlyle is on the contract monitoring team at Caerphilly County Borough Council and calls on other OTs involved in the commissioning process to come forward with their ideas The twists and turns of road safety assessments Paula O’Neill and Colette Hughes explain their road safety assessment protocol The development of a breakfast group on an adolescent unit Samantha Jaques-Newton charts the development of a ‘breakfast group’ for young adolescents with eating disorders The role of art in recovery As an OT working in a community rehabilitation service, Barbara Philipsz runs an arts and crafts group, as part of a group work programme aimed at adults with mental health needs. Here she shares some service user feedback Vocation unwrapped: motivating clients to return to work Marietta Birkholtz and Cara Lovell look at the factors that influence people’s ability to get back to work after accident or illness, focusing on specific return to work models that can help occupational therapists to help clients arrive at their chosen vocation Vocational rehabilitation survey – we need your help Research OT Joanna Sweetland poses the question: Vocational rehabilitation for long-term neurological conditions – what is really out there? Developing a new model of practice Andy Smith, support worker and student, shares his work on developing a model of integrated vocational rehabilitation, as part of his academic studies Walking on the road to mental health recovery Natasha McKendrick, May White, Susan McCutcheon, Laura Craig and Audrey Davidson outline how a walking group within a low secure mental health setting helps patients on their road to recovery
Welcome to the February issue of OTnews
Is it a given that ‘choice’ improves quality? The Department of Health maintains that government’s shared ambition is to put people first through a radical reform of public services. In health and social care, this means that ‘people will be able to live their own lives as they wish; confident that services are of high quality, are safe and promote their own individual needs for independence, wellbeing, and dignity’. Personalisation – that is, services being shaped around an individual’s need – is a major objective of the government’s health care reforms. Lord Darzi placed this agenda at the heart of the NHS Next Stage Review in June 2008. The intention is to give service users greater choice and control over the services they receive. This will be achieved in part in the NHS by introducing voluntary personal health budgets – modelled on individual budgets and direct payments in social care. But there are big questions around whether a direct payment system can be transferred to the NHS? This month OTnews takes a special look at personal budgets for healthcare, and what the likely implications for occupational therapists of the personalisation drive are.
Also this month, we take a look at some of the varied role emerging placements that students from around the UK undertook last year. From working with the Refugee Council, to a homeless hostel, to a ‘clubhouse’ for mental health service users, these experiences will hopefully give our students food for thought on the alternative placements out there, and some of the non-traditional roles available on graduation.
A whole new experience Lesley Goldrick recounts how apprehension and anxiety soon turned to friendship and personal development during her first year at university
Becoming a better OT Sabina Skladanowska and Zosia Radziwill write for OTnews about their learning experience on a UK practice placement, as part of the Erasmus exchange programme
Join the club Student Nick Anderson, educator Marie Hood and Clubhouse manager Julia Perry talk to OTnews about their experiences of a role emerging placement in a setting based on the ‘Clubhouse’ model
The challenge of working with refugees Student OT Ruth Alecock shares her experience of a role emerging placement working for the Refugee Council
Learning how to plan on placement Mafuzah Zainol reflects on a neurology rehabilitation ward student placement
OT students lead the way for homeless people Laura Fitzsimmons and Victoria Allcoat talk to OTnews about their work with the UK’s largest homeless hostel
Promoting OT in a role emergent setting Charmain Chandler describes how her role emerging placement in a residential care home has been a challenging but invaluable experience
More control or greater uncertainty? Will personal budgets for healthcare work in practice and what are the likely implications for occupational therapists of the drive towards personalisation? Ann McGauran reports
Welcome to the January issue of OTnews
Can OTs demonstrate both quality and productivity in light of the financial challenges undoubtedly facing the NHS in the coming years? This month, OTnews looks at the new NHS quality and productivity challenge, formerly referred to as QIPP (Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention). Karen Middleton, the Department of Health’s chief health professions officer, talks to us on the importance of AHPs in the system. Dr Mary Morley reports from an event on mental health Payment by Results for OTs and, as the OT representative on the national mental health Payment by Results expert reference group, she explains how care pathways and packages model is developing. Also this month, Andriel Macnish looks at occupational therapists in emerging roles, specifically taking on care management responsibilities. She says that with diverse skills and knowledge that can be transposed across various settings in health and social care, OTs are perfectly poised to take on these posts.
Can you demonstrate quality and productivity? Ann McGauran looks at the NHS ‘quality and productivity challenge’, as QIPP is now called, and talks to an SHA AHP lead about how OTs can supply examples of good practice
‘Cost your interventions’ to stay in the game Ann McGauran talks to Karen Middleton about the quality and productivity agenda
In the premier league Christine Bell explains how, by working with the local football club and its community trust, service users are building their confidence and motivation
Taking on the care management role Andriel Macnish looks at occupational therapists in emerging roles, specifically taking on care management responsibilities
Talking shop and its benefits Claire McGinley talks to OTnews about an evening spent talking to students about her ‘favourite topic’ occupational therapy
Welcome to the December issue of OTnews
As OTnews is published this month, World Aids Day – 1 December – will be bringing people together across the globe to get them talking about HIV to break down some of the barriers and stigma that still exist internationally.
At a more local level, in this issue Rosemary Rich, an OT specialising in HIV and tropical and infectious diseases at University College London, urges OTs to recognise HIV as a long-term condition (page 28). Do therapists have enough knowledge of HIV or the issues that arise with diagnosis to deliver the best service and care?
Then, on page 29, Will Chegwidden reports on the events leading up to the establishment of the Canada-UK HIV Rehabilitation Research Collaborative, to help in developing research questions relating to the models of HIV rehabilitation service delivery in both countries.
Community therapists need more HIV knowledge Rosemary Rich urges OTs to recognise HIV as a long-term condition, and to develop their knowledge of its implications
International HIV knowledge exchange A HIV rehabilitation research collaborative has recently been established at international meeting. Will Chegwidden reports
The development of a workload management system Pauline Gardiner and Steve Knight look at the implementation of a workload management system within Essex Adult Social Care, which has become an essential tool for performance management
Rehabilitation or the end of the road? Nichola Smith and Michelle Dale look at cross-ward working in relation to the rehabilitation of forensic older males
Tackling social inclusion Naomi Potter and Amy Larkins look at the development of a fishing group, led by a service user volunteer, in assertive outreach
A bold step into the future Susan Heap and Cathrine Ruston discuss the radical transformation of previously separate services in Cheshire, improving access to services and providing people with greater choice and control
I’m sitting up again Marie Liddell reflects on her own practice and therapeutic skills, in light of a particular service user encounter
Changing practice through MoCA Helen Harvey and Kate Fuller present a brief summary of implementing the Model of Creative Ability within forensic occupational therapy
The transition from student to Practitioner Kerri Sealy has developed a preceptorship peer support group, and describes the major challenges to its momentum
Developing green space for activity and relaxation Bonnie Brofos and Christopher Lucas reflect on the success of the Willow Dome Project
Welcome to the November issue of OTnews
Last month saw Karen Middleton, chief health professions officer at the Department of Health, tell a room full of allied health professionals that they are ‘the right people, in the right place, at the right time’. Concerned in the past that AHP services might face the threat of decommissioning, due to a lack of visibility, Ms Middleton now feels that the ‘spotlight has started to shine on AHP services’.
Speaking at the Chief Health Professions Officer’s Conference 2009, held in London on 6 and 7 October, Ms Middleton urged AHPs to ‘drive any waste out of the system’ and to look to ‘prevention’ for the biggest productivity gains, in terms of public health and the public purse.
This was in response to David Nicholson, chief executive of the NHS, telling delegates that pressure on the healthcare system will result in a shortfall of around £15-20 billion over the next five or so years. Jim Easton, the newly-appointed NHS national director for improvement and efficiency, stressed the links between quality and productivity, and the importance of leadership, in dealing with this economic problem, which is ‘all our job’. See this issue for a full report.
Making positive changes, with CMP Nicole Burchett shares a client’s thoughts about attending the condition management programme in Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea, and her subsequent return to work
Volunteering in Moldova Student Diane Acaster shares her summer camp experience of working for the Moldovan Charity Mission to help disabled children and their families
Improving health through food skills Annette Jansen and Louise Salter look at a project designed to improve the health and lifestyle of adults with learning disabilities in the Bath and North East Somerset area
OT – the next generation Natasha York was recently involved in a careers day for 14-year-olds, run by the trust’s education department
End of life care Laura Richards charts the development of Bolton Hospice’s palliative care therapy team
The OT role in palliative care Sylvia Lowes reports on a project to investigate the role of AHPs within the palliative care team at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust
Introducing the playground of the page Dr Pauline Cooper looks at the use of writing and story telling with clients with mental ill health
Transforming services locally Julia Skelton looks at the highlights of the six Transformational Guides, produced by the Department of Health as part of the Transforming Community Services programme
Welcome to the October issue of OTnews
For October, in addition to features on laughter therapy, sensory deprivation and community services, OTnews focuses on the new Independent Safeguarding Authority's Vetting and Barring Scheme, which launches this month. Outlining what will change with the new laws and duties now and in July 2010, Unison explains its position and its campaign to actively lobby government, MPs, the Home Office and the ISA and to address a number of serious concerns on behalf of members. Sharon Blackburn, policy and communications director for the National Care Forum, looks at the regulations and wider issues around safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse. She asks a number of key questions: At the point of referral is the risk of abuse a key component of the assessment? If you had a concern would you know how to identify poor practice and whether there was a safeguarding issue? And, as an OT are you aware of safeguarding legislation and the protocols in place where you work?
Vocational skills training within a new medium secure forensic service Deepa Gumaste, an OT at River House, discusses and reflects on establishing a new vocational rehabilitation service within a newly-opened forensic unit
Activity based confidence group Steve Wharmby describes how the use of activity can enable service users with low confidence to improve their tolerance of uncertainty
A holistic approach to combat Post Polio Syndrome Corné Rossouw reports on the Post Polio Syndrome rehabilitation programme at the Lane Fox Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital
A laugh a day? What are the benefits of laughter therapy for adults with a learning disability? OT Kate Mulvey looks at its creative and therapeutic use in her daily work in Shropshire
Are you up-to-date on safeguarding vulnerable adults? Sharon Blackburn looks at the regulations and issues around safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse
Alternative approaches in residential homes Andrew Box and Abi Rayson look at an OT sensory project in a residential home for adults with learning disabilities
Sensory work for wellbeing in dementia Bridget Campbell and Fiona Robertson explain how the development of a multi-sensory room is helping clients with dementia
Core stroke skills in a community team Lorna Hepworth reports on the development of a core stroke skills project
Real work opportunities OT Peter Chester runs through the process of applying to the local service director to offer the minimum wage to service users on a medium secure unit, employed in a variety of jobs to help with the general upkeep of the environment
Development of a universal supervision guide Rob Sach and Steve Knight look at the development of a universal supervision guide to support CPD and career progression
Continuing personal development Fred Bartholomew and Pauline Gardiner report on Essex County Council’s Continuing Personal Development portfolio
Are you a ‘flexible friend’? Is ‘flexibility’ an attitude that begins with health professionals themselves? Peter Jones argues for flexible working practices in occupational therapy
The challenge of independent practice Sally Joseph gained a BSc (Hons) in OT from Coventry University in 1997, and moved into independent practice in 2008. She reflects on the journey and challenges her new role throws up
For student members getting ready to dust off the course books and start a new year at university later this month, and for new members looking forward to beginning their occupational therapy courses, this month’s issue is packed with reflections from students and practice educators on traditional and role-emerging placement challenges. Download this issues features below:
Download The garden grows for OT students Kate Matthews, Bobby Smith, Sarah Crocker and Clare Pinchess describe their involvement in a role emerging placement
Download Relapse prevention: a reflection of OT intervention Kelly Saunders reflects on implementing a relapse prevention intervention on final year placement
Download Occupational therapy: enabling choice for young people? Third year student Sarah Hardy discusses the occupational therapy role in a Scope-run further education college for young people with communication difficulties
Download Delivering individual activity programmes Vicky Doherty and Angela Stevenson talk to OTnews about a role emerging placement in a specialist dementia care unit
Download Role emerging placements – the educators’ experience Judith Wilcock, Freya Sledding, and Amanda Kershaw outline the challenges and positives for occupational therapy educators involved in role-emerging placements
Download Occupational therapy and active support Shazz Jamieson looks at the practice of Active Support within a role-emerging setting, how it can help promote the benefits of OT, and some of the challenges faced
Download In at the deep end OT student Carly Williams jumps in at the deep end on a role-emerging placement, by organising coasteering for a group of people in mental health services
Download More than just rehabilitation OT Milla Johnson and Michelle Baillie explain how The Children’s Trust’s approach to childhood acquired brain injury ‘knows no bounds’
Download An example of collaborative working Services users and carers have inspired and instigated new ways of working in North Wrekin. Mark Pugh, Sheena Southwell and Charlotte Wake report
Download A new role for occupational therapy? Lucy Welsh describes a new and exciting service for adults with ADHD in South West Yorkshire
Download Art from different perspectives Kirsty Rattray and Kath Nichols look at a local collaboration with artists, service users and ward staff on an art project within mental health
Download Development of the Concise Occupational Assessment Nancy Roberts-James, an OT working in assertive outreach, has designed a brief, whole person assessment tool, suitable for use with a particular client group, which can be difficult to engage. She tells OTnews about the process and feedback
Download Pioneering a new service Miriam Beecham shares some of the challenges and learning experiences of developing an admissions avoidance occupational therapist post
Download Tomorrow’s people Hilary Colston looks at occupational therapy intervention in the ‘Getting Patients Working East’ initiative and discusses the value of having an OT as part of the contract
Download A collaborative response to the waiting list initiative OT Sally Holmes and Wonnie Barry, an advanced skills teacher, report on an occupational therapy programme for children with developmental co-ordination disorder
In this month’s issue there are features on stroke services, cultural competency in the UK and overseas and developments in vocational rehabilitation. Tracey Samuels also takes a look at the government’s recently-launched adult social care green paper. Please get in touch if you would like to feed back on any of the issues raised, or to let us know how you plan to get involved in the government’s ‘Big Debate’. Download this issues features below:
Download Getting back into the swim of things after a stroke Jane Bisiker looks at the success of a programme of activity groups for people following stroke
Download Introducing the discharge facilitator role Within the integrated occupational therapy service (IOTS) at Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, new roles have been created utilising support staff in key posts. Angela Birleson and Katerina Howard look at the outcomes after six-month evaluation
Download The next generation of OTs Emma Payne tells OTnews about a visit to pupils at the Chichester High School for Boys, to facilitate a session about occupational therapy as a career
Download Cultural competency and occupational therapy Terry Bowman, a senior OT with St. Andrew’s Healthcare, reflects on the ways we interact with service users culturally
Download Short-term gains versus long-term sustainability? During 2007, Hazel Bryce spent a year working as an occupational therapist with a non-governmental organisation. Here, with the help of Nick Pollard, she reflects on some of the issues that were pertinent to working in this environment
Download Meaningful occupational interventions OT Mel James talks to OTnews about her work on the Exeter Meaningful Occupation Project, which aims to promote meaningful occupational interventions to promote engagement and positive outcomes
Download CFS/ME services are here Marie Liddell reflects on the development of a new chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy service in County Durham
Download Developments in vocational rehabilitation Susan Bradford and Maria Cavin explain how the development of a two week ‘work matters’ group, which was run in partnership with acute and work rehabilitation services for acute inpatients over a three-month period, has had positive outcomes for clients
This month's OTnews focuses on a number of different aspects of Condition Management Programmes (CMP). Can OTs deliver health promotion? Jenny Burns discusses implementing health promotion in OT practice via CMP, while OTs working in the North of Tyne CMP reflect on introducing students to this initiative. Elsewhere, OTnews talks to Karen Middleton, the Government's Chief Health Professions Officer, about the Transforming Community Services agenda and what this means for AHPs in terms of changing the way they work.