Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are an integral part of the Stroke Unit multi disciplinary team at Bournemouth Hospital. They usually wear a white tunic with a green trim and green trousers. They work across the Stroke pathway including the Hyperacute service, rehabilitation pathways and into the Early Supported Discharge team or Community Rehab teams, which can be involved when patients first go home.

Occupational Therapists play an important role in assessing a patient's functional abilities in carrying out everyday living tasks after having a Stroke. Their intervention usually starts quickly after admission and includes evaluating the patient's ability via performance, for example; feeding, getting out of bed, toileting, getting washed and making a cup of tea.

Patients can range from being well post stroke to being very unwell, therefore the choice of tasks are appropriate to that situation and the patient's usual lifestyle. Assessments by an Occupational Therapist can provide useful guidelines to others on possible risks and support needs of the patient on the ward, as well as management guidelines to support good care e.g. how long they can sit out for and in what type of supportive seating.

Assessments help shape an understanding of how the stroke has affected each patient and where they may be experiencing new difficulties, as this can vary widely. Stroke related impairments can include cognition, mood, fatigue, vision, behaviour and impact their social relationships therefore all these are considered by an Occupational Therapist as well as their physical recovery.

We use our assessments to inform a rehabilitation plan aimed at regaining independence and managing daily living activities, where appropriate. Occupational Therapy rehabilitation includes lots of practice of daily living tasks as well as group work. This is with the aim of recovering to a sufficient level to be able to move out of hospital to ideally return home safely and continue further recovery at home with community services. Sometimes patients are unable to recover sufficiently to return to their previous level of independence and Occupational Therapists will plan a discharge which provides support for them to manage at home. This can include equipment / adaptations in the home environment, care and therapy.

We would always aim to discharge a patient back to their home from hospital however sometimes patients do not recover sufficiently to be able to safely manage at home and Occupational Therapists will guide decision-making about what happens next, with an understanding of the available options and the processes involved. This will be done together with the patient, their family and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.