Patients who have difficulties with daily activities or experience a change in their occupational performance should be referred to Occupational Therapy for assessment and intervention. Referrals can be made via email by any member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) between 08:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday.
For medically stable patients, the team aims to assess all new referrals within 24 hours of receipt, excluding weekends. While every effort is made to meet this standard, assessment times may occasionally be impacted by periods of significant staffing shortages or high service demands, particularly where urgent discharge planning is required.
Surgical Vascular and Critical Care
The Surgical, Vascular and Critical Care Occupational Therapy team provides specialist assessment and rehabilitation across approximately 200 inpatient beds within Ninewells Hospital, covering General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Urology and Specialist Surgery, including Plastic Surgery, ENT and Ophthalmology.
We are also developing an Occupational Therapy service within Critical Care, delivering early intervention and rehabilitation for patients in both the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This service aims to support patients at the earliest stages of recovery, promoting functional independence and improving longer-term outcomes.
The team generally works with patients aged 16 years and over, providing person-centred assessment, rehabilitation, discharge planning and support throughout their hospital journey.
We are also developing an Occupational Therapy service within Critical Care, delivering early intervention and rehabilitation for patients in both the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This service aims to support patients at the earliest stages of recovery, promoting functional independence and improving longer-term outcomes.
The team generally works with patients aged 16 years and over, providing person-centred assessment, rehabilitation, discharge planning and support throughout their hospital journey.
How are patients are referred to this team?
What should I expect from my first appointment?
During your first assessment, we will discuss your previous level of function, your home environment and your personal goals. We will then begin a functional assessment to help us understand your current abilities and develop an ongoing treatment plan tailored to your needs. The assessment will usually last around 30 minutes, although this may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
Please ensure you have any glasses, hearing aids or walking aids with you, as these may be required during the assessment. Depending on your medical condition, you may be wearing a hospital gown. However, we encourage patients to wear their own clothes whenever possible, as this can help us assess your usual abilities more accurately.
Please ensure you have any glasses, hearing aids or walking aids with you, as these may be required during the assessment. Depending on your medical condition, you may be wearing a hospital gown. However, we encourage patients to wear their own clothes whenever possible, as this can help us assess your usual abilities more accurately.
What can this service offer?
We provide specialist assessment and intervention to people living with acute surgical conditions, long-term health conditions and life-limiting illnesses. Working in partnership with individuals, we support them to maintain and develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to engage in the activities that matter most to them.
Assessments and intervention includes:
• Transfer, feeding, self care and kitchen assessment/practice
• Cognitive assessment and rehabilitation
• Functional mobility
• Static/dynamic sitting and standing balance activities
• Seating, positioning and wheelchair skills
• Provision of adaptive cutlery and small aids
• Graded motor imagery
• Desensitising techniques including massage
• Management of oedema
• Fatigue management, pacing strategies
• Relaxation
Assessments and intervention includes:
• Transfer, feeding, self care and kitchen assessment/practice
• Cognitive assessment and rehabilitation
• Functional mobility
• Static/dynamic sitting and standing balance activities
• Seating, positioning and wheelchair skills
• Provision of adaptive cutlery and small aids
• Graded motor imagery
• Desensitising techniques including massage
• Management of oedema
• Fatigue management, pacing strategies
• Relaxation
Contact details:
Email – tay.surgicalotnwh@nhs.scot
Telephone – 01382 660111 ex 54581
Telephone – 01382 660111 ex 54581