TUESDAY, 6 NOVEMBER, 2018

Photographs attached: OT therapists celebrating Occupational Therapy Week

NHS Tayside celebrates Occupational Therapy Week

Occupational therapists in Tayside are joining in the celebrations this week to mark Occupational Therapy Week (5-11 November).

Occupational Therapy Week is an annual celebration of the profession to raise awareness of the work carried out by occupational therapy (OT) teams across the country, recognising the vital role they play in treating patients.

In Tayside, there are more than 190 occupational therapists working with patients in Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross.

Occupational Therapy aims to enable people to live a more independent, productive and enjoyable life following an injury, disability or illness.  After an initial assessment, occupational therapists use targeted activity to treat patients working on their physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing.  Individual programmes are designed to help patients to carry out everyday activities to maximise independence in all areas of daily life using the person’s abilities to overcome their disability.

NHS Tayside AHP Education Lead Nicola Richardson said, “Occupational therapists have a crucial role to play in our multi-disciplinary team. National evidence shows that occupational therapists have a role in preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital, they can ease the patient’s journey and also assist in timely, appropriate and safe discharge home.

“Our occupational therapists work with all ages of the population of Tayside and in both healthcare and community settings, delivering services in both heath and social care. This week gives us the ideal opportunity to celebrate and recognise the vital work carried out by OT teams across Tayside.”

To mark the awareness week, OT teams in Tayside have created a video to share why they value occupational therapy and how the work benefits patients across Tayside. The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N60u6eKVTxU

An information stand about occupational therapy is also being held on Friday, 9 November in the main concourse of Ninewells Hospital between 9am and 3pm. Members of the occupational therapy team will be on hand to provide information and raise awareness about the work they do across Tayside.

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740138