Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy offers both inpatient and outpatient facilities. The Occupational Therapist for rheumatology is Helen Robertson.

Inpatient services

It aims to help you regain the ability to undertake everyday tasks like getting yourself in and out of bed, getting washed and dressed, preparing hot drinks and meals, all things that you may find difficult following an illness or surgery.

We will also discuss with you about your home environment as you may need some adaption’s to your home or some specialist equipment to help you undertake everyday tasks as independently as possible.

We undertake specialist exercise programmes to help you regain movement and coordination. It is helpful if you have clothes and well fitting shoes with you in hospital. We may undertake the following assessments:

• Washing and dressing
• Transfers on and off – bed, chair, toilet, etc.
• Kitchen activities
• Feeding assessments

Outpatient services

The outpatient services offers:

• Hand therapy rehabilitation
• Rheumatoid arthritis

The hand therapy rehabilitation is to help people who have suffered a hand injury or who have had hand surgery. This will include an assessment of your hand movements and treatment may include an exercise programme and specialist splinting.

For our patients who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, we aim to educate and advise you on how to manage your condition. This may include specific information about preventing deterioration of your joints, use of specialist equipment or splinting.

Outpatient appointments are via referral only by a consultant or rheumatology clinical nurse specialist.