Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Service aims to help people achieve as much independence as possible in terms of your daily functional needs.

The main department is located in the Rehabilitation Unit on the first floor of South Wing.

Teams

There are three teams for the inpatient service with responsibility for:

• Neurology
• Surgical and Orthopaedics
• Elderly Care and Medical

Neurology

On the Stroke Unit we have a team of specialist Occupational Therapists who assess cognition, perception and motor function and then treat the patient accordingly, aiming for the optimum level of functional recovery. We work alongside a very close multidisciplinary team. Our patients are of all ages and will often be with us for a few months. We work with them daily to achieve specific goals and address access into the community. With our younger patients we also look at issues like returning to work and driving.

Surgical

The Surgical Unit consists of Lulworth, Abbotsbury and Chickerell Wards. The Occupational Therapist works within the multidisciplinary team providing rehabilitation and also advice and support for issues which may affect patients’ return home.

Orthopaedics

This unit consists of Ridgeway Ward, which provides elective joint replacement surgery, and Purbeck Ward, which is a trauma ward. The Occupational Therapists work as part of a ward–based team assessing and advising patients who have suffered joint or bone injuries how to cope with their current disability. From these assessments we aim to plan a safe discharge home.

Elective Surgery

For people awaiting elective surgery, such as total hip replacements, Occupational Therapy offers a pre–admission service whereby our Technician will visit your home and assess your likely postoperative needs and organise the delivery of any equipment that is required.

Elderly Care

The Elderly Care Unit consists of Barnes Ward, Day Lewis Ward and part of Hardy Ward. The Occupational Therapists are part of the multidisciplinary teams who will comprehensively assess your functional needs prior to discharge. They may also liaise with outside agencies to ensure you have the appropriate level of support following discharge.

Medical

The acute Medical Unit consists of the Emergency Medical Unit, Hinton Ward, Ilchester Ward and Maud Alexander Ward. The Occupational Therapists work closely with Nurses, Physiotherapists, Social Workers and other medical staff to assess your functional needs and plan your discharge. This may include liaising with other hospitals and Health & Social Care local offices.

Other Services

The Casterbridge Unit consists of the Day Hospital and Community Rehabilitation Team base.

Older people in the community are seen in the Day Hospital and visited at home. They can also be rehabilitated in the intermediate care beds at Maiden Castle House by the Occupational Therpist who works as part of the multidisciplinary team and assesses clients’ functional needs. There is a follow–up service for people who present at A&E following a fall.

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