The OT Magazine – Mar / Apr 2020

THE

MAGAZINE Issue 33 | Mar/Apr 20 | Improving Independence

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COLUM N S

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PRO DUC T S

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CPD

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EVENTS

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MENTAL HEALTH

Celebrating 40 years

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About us

The Team

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Katie Campbell Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine Production: Donna Deakin Sales: Jacqui Smyth Contributors: Kate Sheehan, Rachel Gartland, Lauren Orsborne

This month’s issue...

Get in touch

A

s you may already be aware, last month we launched The OT Awards! A major announcement that we were excited to share with the OT community. There are so many exciting things happening in the OT profession right now, and so many OTs going above and beyond in their practice every day; we wanted to recognise this amazing work.

2A Publishing Ltd, Caledonia House, Evanton Dr, Thornliebank Industrial Estate, Glasgow, G46 8JT 0141 465 2960 ot-magazine.co.uk The OT Magazine @ot_magazine

Disclaimer

The OT Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited. The views expressed in The OT Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher.

Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2020 © 2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN-2056-7146

We have ten award categories that you can enter yourself, or you can enter a colleague who you believe deserves to be considered for their outstanding contributions to the profession. If you are shortlisted for an award you will be invited to join us at an exclusive ceremony on 23 October at the MacDonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham, where the winners will be announced. The event is open to all OTs, their families and friends, and professionals working in the healthcare industry to attend and celebrate the occupational therapy profession. You can find out more on page 38; we look forward to receiving your nominations!

Other areas covered this issue include a look at the workings of the biopsychosocial model and if it is still relevant in occupational therapy; we hear about the positive results from a trial of neurologic music therapy on an acute stroke rehabilitation ward, and we take a look at the apps out there that could help you manage your busy lives.

Our paediatric section explores the impact of social media on young minds, discovers that llamas are the new therapy dogs, and brings you a great range of kids’ products too.

We hope you are excited by the launch of The OT Awards, it is time to start shouting about the amazing work that OTs do and recognising the amazing individuals that are contributing to the OT profession on a daily basis.

The OT Magazine, Editor

SUBSCRIBE TODAY Further your career and enhance your CPD by subscribing to The OT Magazine

Subscribe for only £9.99 Go to: ot-magazine.co.uk/subscribe -magazine.co.uk

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What’s inside 07 What’s New

Bringing you up-to-date with all the latest news from the health sector

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13 Kate Sheehan Regular columnist Kate Sheehan explains the importance of fettering your discretion

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14 Hitting the

Right Note

We explore a pilot that saw neurologic music therapy being used in a stroke ward

19 Product Focus The latest must-have products on the market

25 Day in the Life Independent paediatric OT Rachel Gartland tells us what a day is like in her life

26 The

Biopsychosocial Model

Is this tried-and-true model in danger of being filtered out due to misuse?

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29 WIRED Health Get the low-down on this innovative and forwardthinking one-day event

31 Working in

Wheelchair Provision

What’s it like working in wheelchair provision? Lauren Osborne tells us all about it

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57 #MentalHealth What effects can social media have on the mental health of young people?

60 Paediatric Products Innovative products for your younger clients

63 The Dementia Tax

38 31

35 Product Focus More of the latest must-have products

38 The OT Awards

2020

We are delighted to announce the brand-new awards especially for OTs

42 Planning a Project Applying OT theory to care home-based projects

Product

Focus 35

As the number of people living with dementia is set to increase, how can OTs alleviate the costs?

67 Classroom

Masterchef

We investigate the specialist school that transformed their kitchen for disabled students

68 Winning at Life Struggling to remember appointments or stay on top of self-care? There’s an app for that

71 InstaOTs We love memes. Where do memes live? Instagram. Who should you follow? People who post memes

45 Assistive Technology 73 Managing Funding has been announced to employ assistive technology in schools

48 Access All Areas Our guide to getting your clients out and about

54 Llamas as Therapy

Animals

We investigate the growing trend in using llamas as therapy animals

Management

How can a system used by pilots help OTs confront colleagues without confrontation?

76 Get Networking CPD isn’t the only thing you should be picking up at events - get networking with your peers

81 Events Calendar Essential dates for your diary -magazine.co.uk

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Osprey Group

We’re going to

see us on stand N362 www.ospreyhealthcare.com

We explore what’s happening in the healthcare sector, from new products and services to inspirational stories

What’s new?

SUPPORT PAYMENTS

ANNOUNCED FOR STUDENT OTS The government has announced that new and continuing occupational therapy students will benefit from an annual £5,000 support payment on top of any loans or existing payments.

Additional payments of up to £3,000 are also available for eligible students, provided they meet certain requirements. Students could receive £1,000 towards the cost of childcare, £1,000 if studying in a region which is struggling to recruit their chosen profession, or £1,000 if they are a new student studying a shortage

RCOT CALLS FOR ACCESS TO OTS THROUGH GP The Royal College of Occupational Therapists have called for occupational therapy to be better embedded into the national care system, noting the crucial role that

specialism important to delivering the NHS Long Term Plan, although the latter will likely not apply to occupational therapy students.

Minister for Public Health Jo Churchill said: “From paramedics to physiotherapists, radiographers to speech and language therapists, our talented allied health professionals are the third largest workforce in the NHS and support people to live better lives.

“As demand grows, we need more of the best and brightest to join our NHS. I want those who would

OTs play within the NHS in helping disabled people, those getting back into work, and many more.

The report calls for OTs to be deployed across the health and care system to allow early intervention in primary care, personalised care and supervision of others, develop partnerships, and expand OT-led services, all of which will benefit both the end user and the system by saving lives and money.

Speaking on the report, RCOT chief executive Julia Scott said: “Ill health costs the UK economy £100 billion per year. Take the NHS, the UK’s largest employer; on average its staff take 14 days as sick leave every year. People who have been signed off on sick leave for six months or more have less than a

relish the job of saving people’s lives as a paramedic or diagnosing cancer as a radiographer to come forward to train, taking advantage of this fantastic new £5,000 support package.”

50% chance of returning to work.

None of this adds up to a healthy and happy workforce. Yet there is so much evidence which shows that being in employment and leading a productive life is good for our health.

Occupational therapists can play a crucial role in helping this happen.

“Occupational therapy was founded upon principles related to the benefits of work and supporting people with health conditions to gain or return to paid employment. As the only healthcare profession to work across physical and mental health, with a focus on occupation, RCOT is calling for every occupational health team to include an occupational therapist.”

Read the report online now at: rcot.co.uk/node/112 -magazine.co.uk

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DAD TO BE COMPENSATED AFTER SON FAILS TO RECEIVE OT Greenwich Council has been ordered to provide full compensation to the father of a young boy with special educational needs who was not provided with the right speech or occupational therapy.

In 2015, the young boy’s father was provided with an EHCP which outlined his son’s need for occupational therapy, which would be funded by the council, as well as

time each week with a speech and language therapist.

In 2017, the boy’s father was forced to return to Greenwich Council as his son’s occupational therapy had been stopped in August 2016, and he was forced to pay for his son’s treatment out of his own pocket.

Adding to this, there had been no speech therapy provided.

The Local Government and Social

Future Health prepares to open On 17-18 March Excel, London will open its doors for exhibitors and visitors to attend the Future Health Expo, which will see over 4000 attendees from 65 countries explore the future of patient healthcare.

The event promises to bring expert speakers who will share their experiences, from both multinational brands, to very small start-ups, who will exhibit the latest in technology and innovation.

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Aimed at both public and private sector workers, and will see policy makers, budget holders, purchasers and practitioners come together to explore what’s new in cutting-edge healthcare.

The event will be held over March 17-18, and professionals in the healthcare sector can apply for a free pass to attend the event at its website. Visit futurehealth.global for tickets and more information on vendors, speakers, and participants.

Care Ombudsman has ruled that the council were at “significant fault”, and has ordered the council to pay the family the £840 that had been spent on their son’s occupational therapy, as well as an additional £1000 to support the student and compensate the family for the trouble caused.

A spokesperson for the council told South London News that they would not comment on individual cases.

FORMER OT AND COUNCILLOR GILL GOWER DIES

Councillor Gill Gower, a former occupational therapist, died suddenly last month, aged just 65.

The Labour councillor for Canterbury had worked for the NHS for 30 years as an occupational therapist, managing the OT services at Kent and Canterbury Hospitals. She would later go on to lecture in occupational therapy at Canterbury Christ Church University, rising to the level of senior lecturer before her retirement in 2017.

Former colleague Lindsey Keefe, who worked with Gill on the occupational therapy course, told Kent Online: “She actively and willingly shared her wealth of knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for the profession in all of her work through her engagement with students and with peers across the whole university community.

“During her time at the university

Will and Kate witness OT first-hand The Royals visited the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall last month, getting a first-hand look at the complex and necessary treatment carried out on veterans in the UK, which included occupational therapy.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were joined by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge as they met with patients in the £300 million state-of-theart facility, which aims to provide members of the military with inpatient and residential rehabilitation.

The facility was opened by Prince William in June 2018.

The Royal party were shown around

she led on and championed issues regarding sustainability, ensuring this was given due regard which reflected her own personal values and beliefs.

“She took all of her responsibilities seriously whilst injecting her own unique sense of humour and colourful personality.

“She will be missed by current students, university alumni and colleagues alike.”

Looking for an OT job? some of the treatment areas, and were able to witness patients taking part in rehabilitation and occupational therapy sessions.

Jack from First Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, who is receiving treatment after suffering an injury, said: “It was a fantastic honour to meet the Royal Family and tell them about the most amazing support and treatment, I have received to help me recover from my injury.”

ot-magazine.co.uk/jobs

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NHS ANNOUNCES RAPID CARE TEAMS

NHS England has announced plans to put £14 million into the funding of seven urgent community response teams, which they hope will reduce the number of elderly people admitted to hospital unnecessarily.

The community-based teams, three of which the NHS hopes will be running by this winter, will offer physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medication reviews, and help to ensure older people are staying hydrated and well-fed.

The aim of the service is to reduce pressure on hospitals, allowing treatment to be carried out in the

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comfort of the patients’ homes, and reduce admissions to A&E in the process.

NHS chief executive, Sir Simon Stevens, said: “The NHS working hand in glove in the community with council-funded social care services can be the difference between an older person or someone with longterm health needs spending a week or a month on a ward – or getting the right help early so they don’t need to go to hospital in the first place.

“That’s why as part of our Long Term Plan for the NHS we are putting community services front

and centre, and backing them with a growing share of the NHS budget – and putting in place these new standards will give people and their families peace of mind about what they can expect from their local services when they need help most.”

The first of these seven services will be set up in: Warrington Together; West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership; Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland system; Cornwall system; Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire system; South East London system; and Norfolk and Waveney system.

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For more info email kate@theotservice.co.uk

FETTERING

YOUR

DISCRETION ...we must make the dwelling “safe for the disabled occupant and those residing with him”

T

his is a term I first learnt from Michael Mandelstam back in the 1990s, when he spoke at Naidex about the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), so what does it mean and why is it important to occupational therapists?

The definition of “fettering of discretion” is when a local authority is acting unreasonably where it refuses to hear applications or makes certain decisions without taking individual circumstances into account by reference to a certain policy. To clarify, it means that a local authority cannot have blanket policies, for example, “we do not provide baths”.

Why as an occupational therapist working with clients applying for a DFG is the above important to remember? Well, we must work within the legal duties set down in the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, which states we must make the dwelling “safe for the disabled occupant and those residing with him”, and to facilitate and assess the use of rooms within the house, control power, heating or light, and enable a disabled person to care for their family.

We should be assessing and specifying what meets our client’s needs and take into account the physical and psychological impact of our recommendation and the impact it has on them as individuals, this requires us not to be bound by historical procedures and policies, but to make sure we really put our client at the centre of our practice as our code of ethics requires us to do so.

We have had two clear examples which have occurred this month in my practice. The first being “we don’t do baths”, and the second “we don’t use tiles in a bathroom adaptation”. Both are blanket polices that would be considered as fettering of discretion as they are not taking a client’s individual circumstances into account. Let’s address these statements:

We don’t do baths The legislation is clear, it says a grant can be payable to allow for “facilitating access by the disabled occupant to, or providing for the disabled occupant, a room in which there is a bath or shower (or both), or facilitating the use by the disabled occupant of such a facility”.

Now we have to make sure our

assessment of need is clear and that the justification for a bath is necessary and appropriate to meet that client’s individual circumstances.

This could be due to a child who does not tolerate a shower because the spray exacerbates their hyposensitivity to touch, or an older person who cannot sit in a shower chair due to joint deformity or contractions. Or it could be because we need to consider the whole family’s needs and a height adjustable bath would be the best option.

We don’t use tiles in a bathroom adaptation There is nowhere in the legislation that states you cannot provide tiles on a bathroom floor as long as they are suitable for the individual circumstances of your client. You can now get some lovely R10 slip resistant tiles (same slip resistance as Altro or Target), which can be suitable and look aesthetically pleasing.

Let’s start challenging blanket polices and advocate for our clients, let’s make our adaptations suitable for our client’s individual needs both physically and psychologically.

-magazine.co.uk

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HITTING THE

RIGHTNOTE Last year a neurologic music therapy (NMT) service was piloted at Charing Cross Hospital’s acute stroke ward, to measure its efficacy in conjunction with traditional rehabilitation treatments

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un by Chroma, the UK’s leading provider of NMT, and supported by the Imperial Health Charity and Imperial Stroke Services, the results of the service have been very positive with patients recovering from a stroke.

You may be wondering what, in fact, neurologic music therapy is? Here’s the science in brief, as Chroma describes it succinctly on their website:

Led by a multi-disciplinary team of OTs, physiotherapists, music therapists, and speech and language therapists, 83 patients were selected to receive NMT alongside their standard rehabilitation therapies, and this was delivered twice weekly by Chroma. These sessions included individualised 1:1 and group sessions.

The reported outcomes of the project have stated that improvements have been seen in individual patient outcomes “Based upon neuroscience across sensorimotor, psychosocial, research, neurologic music therapy (NMT) provides specific, individualised, speech and language, and cognitive functions. Patient’s mood was and standardised interventions reported to be better following for those affected by neurologic NMT treatments and some patients injury or disease. NMT differs from even experienced immediate results traditional music therapy as it views during NMT sessions. music not as a social-science model for wellbeing, but as a neuroscience Chroma reported: “In one treatment, model in which music is a hard-wired a stroke patient who had difficulty brain language. walking and initiating movement, saw a mean average increase of “NMT works to improve cognitive, 17% in ‘steps per minute’ as a result sensory, and motor dysfunctions of rhythmic auditory stimulation due to neurologic disease of the that, using a piano accompaniment, human nervous system. NMT is endorsed by the World Federation of helped with imitating movement.

As a result, the patient went from Neurological Rehabilitation (WFNR) using a frame, to walking unassisted and the European Federation of Neurorehabilitation Societies (EFNS).” in a single session and therapists were able to start referral for early THE supported discharge.”

The team on the acute stroke unit Music therapist Charlie Flint, at Charing Cross Hospital identified highlighted the benefits of the the need for a new evidence-based open music therapy sessions that intervention, in the hope of engaging took place once a week. These patients who were not able to groups allowed patients to come participate in traditional therapies and together and share their thoughts, treatment methods due to the severity feelings and experiences of their of their impairment, or due to mood recovery from a stroke. Writing or a disengaged emotional state. The about the success of the group project aimed to improve patient Charlie said: “Through improvisation, outcomes, as well as improve patient singing songs selected by patients experiences during recovery. and therapists, or engaging in

Project

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free improvisations, or indeed sometimes, silence – a rare gift in the acute setting, some truly wonderful moments that happen when people suffering the same pain come together, have been observed.

“When a person feels alienated from themselves and to then have someone sit next to them, someone who knows what they are going through and have them lovingly place their hand on theirs, this sense of shared recovery support is something no doctor, nurse, or therapist can give.”

...the patient went from using a frame, to walking unassisted in a single session

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AN OT’S Observation

The full report, which can be found on wearechroma.com, outlines a detailed breakdown of the data and analysis collected. It also offers comments from the various therapists that were involved in the project and from some of the patients who took part.

Feedback from one occupational therapist involved in the project commented on a patient she had been working with (patient names have been anonymised): “Fred was well-known and loved within his community in particular for his vibrant personality skills as a musician. When Fred had his stroke he initially had weakness throughout his right arm and leg and slurred speech, which had vast implications for his mobility, functional independence, and critically his leisure and social participation. Fred was lonely, low in mood and isolated in hospital, engaging in exercise or activities of daily living was challenging and often highlighted his weakness and disability.

“Fred came alive in music therapy sessions and achieved movement, strength and endurance targets that were far greater than our initial goals, Fred continued to progress and used the strategies practiced in music therapy to support his walking, selfcare and communication outside of sessions, his mood lifted and he quickly became known for his character by staff and patients on the ward, he was always enthusiastic to start into his day’s activity.

“Fred unfortunately suffered a setback when his stroke extended and his impairments worsened to the extent that he lost all movement in his right side. Weeks past where Fred stayed in bed much of the time declining to sit out, eat or participate in therapy and again his mood greatly deteriorated. Over time, it became clear that rehabilitation was no longer an appropriate approach in meeting Fred’s longer term needs and optimising his quality of life.

“Our focus shifted to maintaining engagement and quality of life so that Fred would not lose his residual abilities and could continue to participate in valued occupations.

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This remained challenging due to the extent of Fred’s low mood and the established pattern of disengagement, Charlie agreed to join in on sessions with Fred with a goal of getting out of bed so that he could make it to music group.

“At first, he was reluctant, but soon Fred was attending up to three therapy groups a week (in which he sang or drummed the table regardless of the group activity) and

was regularly sitting out of bed for mealtimes again and chatting with staff throughout the day. Fred left the ward weeks later to attend a long-term care setting, by the time he left, his bedside was surrounded by brightly coloured pictures he had painted, he called on many of the staff to say goodbye and many of the patients to say good luck.”

It is hoped that funding will be made available to extend this research.

Fred came alive in music therapy sessions and achieved movement, strength and endurance targets that were far greater than our initial goals

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We run courses throughout the UK and at our Headquarters in Ledbury, Herefordshire where we share the Innovations and Therapies used during the study and how we were able to Remove all Pressure Issues and Improve Range of Movement/Mobility for ALL Participants.

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Product FOCUS

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Every issue we bring you the latest products from across the market to help you improve the lives of your clients.

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BLUE MORRIS DERBY WALKING STICK

Encourage younger or more trendconscious clients to use a walking stick by recommending one with an attractive design, like this one! The walking stick can easily be folded away when not in use, and includes a wrist cord. It features a pretty, vintage-style floral pattern that’s sure to get compliments.

020 7501 0591 | walkingsticks.co.uk 1

LIBERATOR HEART-SHAPED CUSHION

This low-key positioning device can help clients facilitate easier, more comfortable sex. It’s easily disguised as a heart-shaped pillow when not in use, so can be left out on the bed. It features a velvety exterior and removable cover, which means it can be cleaned in the washing machine after every use.

0333 103 6969 | lovehoney.co.uk

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VANILLA BLUSH MEN’S SWIMMING TRUNKS

Practical and stylish, these swimming trunks by UK-based company Vanilla Blush feature an internal pocket in which a stoma bag can be safely stored, giving the wearer confidence while they splash around in the pool or enjoy a swim in the ocean. The sports shorts design means they’re fashionable, too.

0141 763 0991 | vblush.com 4

ZONE3 MEDICAL GRADE COMPRESSION TIGHTS

Ideal for clients who experience swelling in their legs due to lymphedema or related diseases, these medical grade compression tights look like gym leggings, aiding clients in regaining feelings of normality while wearing them.

Available in three styles, the tights are breathable, cool, and feature pockets. wiggle.co.uk 5

RAINY DAYS SENSORY SCENE

Scent the room with the smell of petrichor - that’s the smell of rain falling on dry soil - and play the soothing sounds of the rain pitterpattering on surroundings to create a beautiful sensory scene. Known to aid in the care of people with dementia, this can also be used to calm children down and create a relaxing environment.

024 7642 2224 | alzproducts.co.uk

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SEED PANTRY GROW POD

Gardening is a great activity for people who live with dementia or mental health conditions, but in this modern world, we don’t always have the luxury of a garden. Bring the outdoors inside with this grow pod, which allows you to grow a variety of flowers and edible plants.

This pack comes with seeds to get budding gardeners started.

0203 318 5115 | notonthehighstreet.com 7

PARAVAN PR25

Precision Rehab is launching the Paravan PR25 powerchair on stand N4000 at Naidex. The PR25 uses automatic stabiliser wheels to enable the seat system to be powered from a normal seat height to floor position, allowing children or small adults to access the chair from ground level. It has a base width of 64cm and choice of Tilt in Space, Recline Back and Seat Lift.

01256 300111 | precisionrehab.co.uk 8

NEW COSYFEET RANGE

Your patients with very wide or swollen feet no longer have to settle for boring, unattractive footwear thanks to the latest range from Cosyfeet. Specially designed with extra width and depth, there are attractive styles for all occasions for both men and women.

01458 447275 | cosyfeet.com

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The importance of

GOOD POSTURE

The Glenmore Fireside Chair, shown in Opulence Blue, Lucerne Plum and Lucerne Emerald Green.

According to the NHS, up to 8 in every 10 people in the UK will be affected by back pain at some point in their lives. A recent YouGov survey also found that well over half (57%) of adults, aged 60+ have constant/ongoing aches and pains; of those who suffered, 60% experience pain in their back.

There are a myriad of different reasons for backache, but a very crucial one is that people don’t have the right posture in their day to day lives.

When we hear the word posture, our automatic reaction is to sit or stand up a little straighter. Within a few minutes though, we revert back to our ‘comfortable position’. This is a very common trait, but one that we need to recognise and work on.

For most, sitting is a necessary and frequent part of daily lives through either work, social engagements, or through health related circumstances.

Whatever the reason, for the majority, sitting forms a large portion of the day.

When we spend all this time sitting, we need to be sure our seated posture isn’t contributing to back pain.

Image Left: The Ripley Riser Recliner, shown in Bramante Indigo.

Burrows Relax 3 Seater Sofa shown in Bennington Plum fabric, Burrows Chair and Footstool shown in Volante Ruby fabric and Glenmore Fireside Chair in Saloon Smoke leather.

Occupational Therapist Julie Jennings, Dip COT HCPC has given the following advice:

“Many have developed what is often referred to as a “Comfort Posture”. This term refers to the most comfortable position adopted in a particular seat. If the usual furniture does not provide adequate postural support then the comfort posture may be detrimental to overall health and fitness.”

Many people don’t know that one of the best routes to improving their posture can be found much closer to home than they might think – right in their own living room. A lot will sit on a sofa or in a chair that is simply not right for them which can mean it’s almost impossible to maintain a healthy posture.

It’s never too late to work on posture and even the smallest of changes can help

us feel more comfortable and relieve any back pain.

As specialists in comfort furniture, HSL create sofas and chairs that are designed and built with CleverComfort™.

They are ergonomically designed to ensure key areas of the body such as the back, hips, legs, neck, shoulders, head and arms receive the correct levels of support to improve overall posture and wellbeing.

Visit one of HSL’s Comfort Stores nationwide or book a free Home Visit.

To request a free catalogue call 01924 507050 or visit hslchairs.com.

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n i y a d A .

l is a apist Rache tional ther Children’s a m occup r of Blosso rapy. She o t h c d T e dire tional , and starte d a p u c il 0 h 1 Oc 0 C 2 S NH d in e e h ifi t l a qu ney in tre, where n .

T jour her O lopment ce g children n e u o v t o e D d in ed y move pport she su rs ago, she actice. ea pr Two y ependent ind

What is your current role?

I left the NHS role two years ago due to funding cuts and lack of ability to carry out any therapy. I initially set up as an independent occupational therapist, and have now developed my own company, Blossom Children’s Occupational Therapy. I have two associate workers supporting me: an occupational therapy technical instructor, and a therapeutic practitioner. We have gained many contracts and service commissions with local schools, a private hospital, and also the country council for the Adoption Support Fund. As well as providing therapeutic work, I also oversee all of the administration tasks and management of the business.

Describe a typical day No two days are ever the same for me. This variation is something that I love about my job. I really enjoy a challenge and assessing various presentations. I currently work one day per week with a private consultant paediatrician, providing multi-professional assessments

. f o e f i l e th

l e h c a R

Each month ..

we talk to a differen occupati onal thera t pist to see wh at a typic a l day is for the ma a little mo nd explain re about their role.

d n a l t r a G

of children between two and 18 years old with conditions such as developmental coordination disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD, trauma, and attachment difficulties, to name a few. I work two half-days per week for two SEMH schools, providing a wholeschool approach to occupational therapy. This includes work such as setting up sensory circuits, group work to support management of emotions, and also working alongside a speech and language therapist to develop play skills and social interactions during break times. The rest of my week is spent providing training to various professionals, parents, and in school settings, providing individual assessments of a child funded through local schools or parents, and finally, providing therapy for the local council to children who are “looked after”, or post-adoption.

What’s the best part of your job?

my job. My favourite part, however, has to be providing therapy and observing successful change over time. This is extremely rewarding, particularly when working together with a parent and child.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job is certainly listening to some of the tough starts to life that many children have experienced. It is very upsetting at times. However, when you are able to make an impact on a child’s life, however small, this makes it all very worthwhile.

My favourite part, however, has to be providing therapy and observing successful change over time

I am very passionate about my work, and absolutely love every aspect of

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THE

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL Does the biopsychosocial model have an application in occupational therapy, or is its validity in danger due to misuse?

I

n 1977, George Engel and Jon Romano of the University of Rochester first proposed the biopsychosocial model of medicine, the pair’s answer to the biomedical approach. In Engel’s opinion, the biomedical model was not holistic enough, as it failed to take into account the patient or client’s own thoughts, feelings and history. In this, he widened the biomedical approach to take into account more than the biological factors which affect a patient, weighting in the psychological and social factors which also contribute to diagnoses and treatments.

psychology, which encompasses the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of the client, which can include fear and avoidance behaviours, distress, and coping mechanisms; and the social domain, which factors in socioeconomic and socioenvironmental factors like issues at work, family problems, and benefits or economic factors.

From this, we get the three domains of the biospychosocial model: biology, or the physical pathology;

Mark Dombeck, writing for Mental Health, notes: “Mental health professionals’ use of the biopsychosocial model reflects their understanding that human beings are biological, psychological and social creatures all at the same time.

People seeking to benefit from scientific wisdom for purposes of helping themselves better manage

BIOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY

...human beings are biological, psychological and social creatures all at the same time

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life problems are wise to copy this comprehensive professional approach and do what they can to learn about these three important aspects of human experience.

“A basic understanding of medicine and human biology theory helps people to understand how their bodies and brains are constructed and then affected by disease. A little background in psychological theory helps people to understand how minds develop and operate, how thoughts and feelings work, and how behaviours and attitudes can be changed. Finally, knowledge about how relationships and other social processes (gained from learning a little about sociology and social work theories) helps people

SOCIAL DOMAIN

to develop an appreciation for the social systems in which people live and the impact these systems have on their group and individual health.”

Havelka, Lucanin and Lucanin investigated the viability of the biopsychosocial model’s use, while raising valid points regarding the widely-used biomedical model. In their study, they note that while the biomedical model is very good when approaching treatments to things like infectious disease, the modern medical profession needs to engage with additional factors, such as lifestyle, chronic illness, and non-infectious disease; they note that as the biomedical model does not consider these aspects, it is no longer appropriate as a model for implementation.

The reason the study rejects the biomedical model is that they believe it enforces dehumanisation between healthcare staff and patients; a focus on the advancing of medical techniques over the rationing of healthcare; and that it promotes a reductionist attitude where medical professionals see their clients and patients as little more than a collection of cells, thereby separating mind and body.

In their view, the biospychosocial model provides benefits to patients who experience chronic pain, and those who modify their behaviour to covertly deal with health problems; it also seeks to improve the quality of life of disabled, elderly, chronically ill or terminally ill patients. The biopsychosocial model interacts well with the social model of disability, meaning that disabled or chronically ill clients may see tremendous benefit from its use due to the removal of the “reductionist” medical model, which many disability campaigners explicitly disapprove of in terms of providing disabled people with adequate care which meets their needs.

The biospychosocial model has also been considered effective for application on clients who live with mental illness due to its introduction of social factors to compliment or trigger the presence of biological factors. For example: a person may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety, but social factors like stress

Simply, the biopsychosocial model re-marries the idea that the mind and body are not separate entities

at work or relationship problems may trigger the development of the condition. In the same manor, a person could have the genetic predisposition for a certain illness, but only the introduction of certain specific social or psychological factors may trigger its development or worsen its symptoms.

Simply, the biopsychosocial model re-marries the idea that the mind and body are not separate entities; rather they exist in parallel to each other, reflecting back positively or negatively. This idea was lost during the medical profession’s adoption of the biomedical model; the biopsychosocial model returns it, and remembers that the mind can absolutely play a role in both the cause and treatment of illness.

The biopsychosocial model is not without criticisms. It has been called “flawed” in formulation and application, and concerns have been raised that it validates psychosomatic illnesses. Nassir Ghaemi notes that it is based on a narrow view of biology which can be objectively called false, and its narrative about the body and mind is inconsistent. He also fears

that it may confuse treatment and the causes which have resulted in the condition’s presence.

Ben Cormack, writing for CorKinetic, worries that the original biopsychosocial model has, in fact, been misinterpreted, and is being applied in the same way as the biomedical model which it was intended to replace. He concludes that, specifically when applying the model to chronic pain, the biopsychosocial model could be useful, but it’s not what it was intended to do; many people when applying the biopsychosocial model are still simply looking to treat the issue, and not the causes that surround it. In Cormack’s opinion, the model needs to be better applied, rather than abandoned altogether.

While the world of healthcare professionals seems to be split on the validity of the biopsychosocial model in a patient setting, there is one thing that everyone seems to agree on: taking the holistic approach to healthcare should be every practitioners number one concern.

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A Reputation Built on Excellence

Successful completion of the EDGE People or Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses will provide delegates with the up to date skills, knowledge and tools to teach others in safer people or children handling skills and to conduct moving and handling risk assessments.

• Healthcare Professionals All EDGE Services Trainers are nurses, occupational therapists or physiotherapists with at least ten years clinical experience and at least ten years training experience in this field.

• Fully Accredited All our People and Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses are accredited by RoSPA Qualifications to Level 4 or Advanced Level 4. They are RCOT (The Royal College of Occupational Therapists) Approved Learning Awards and are recognised for providing continuing professional development by the CPD Certification Service.

All EDGE Key Trainer events comply with the following professional training standards; • The National Back Exchange Training Standards (2010) • The All Wales NHS Manual Handling Training Passport and Information Scheme (2010) • The Scottish Manual Handling Passport Scheme (2014).

Please contact our friendly office team to discuss your training requirements in more detail.

• Invaluable Training Resources, Exclusive On-line Library and E-Learning Module Our training is supported by a professionally produced, fully illustrated and comprehensive 256-page course textbook, proposed documentation for onward training delivery, filmed practical techniques, an extensive and informative on-line resources library and a user-friendly e-learning module designed for front-line staff.

Courses Availab le Across the UK

EDGE services 01904 677853 enquiries@edgeservices.co.uk

Level 4 Award

edgeservices.co.uk

WIRED HEALTH 25 March 2020 | Kings Place, London

and her previous book, Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong, has been translated into eleven languages.

WIRED Health is a one-day conference highlighting some of the most important people, organisations and innovations that are changing the future of health

C

ombining science, technology and innovation this pioneering event explores the future of health and patient care. It aims to highlight the thought-provoking disruptors, scientists and practitioners driving new ways in how we access, provide and improve patient care.

SPEAKERS

Through its carefully chosen programme of speakers, showcase of exhibitors and the interactive Test Lab, you can discover how the health industry is evolving.

Mei Mei Hu, co-founder and CEO of United Neuroscience Mei Mei is currently developing a vaccine for Alzheimer’s. Her company’s goal is to democratise brain health by pioneering a new class of medicine called endobody vaccines, which are fully synthetic and train the body to safely and efficiently treat and prevent neurological disease.

STARTUP SHOWCASE

The Startup Showcase is a unique platform that allows entrepreneurs on the cusp of major influence the opportunity to present their new products, solutions and technology.

Last year saw 19-year-old Erin Smith win the coveted Startup of the Year with FacePrint, an automated screening and monitoring tool for Parkinson’s disease using earlystage facial expression indicators.

Attendees will be treated to a carefully chosen selection of startup companies presenting on stage.

Boasting an incredible line up of speakers for 2020, the day promises to be packed with revolutionary and inspiring talks from leaders in the field of health. This year’s cohort includes:

Angela Saini, science journalist, broadcaster and author Saini is an award-winning British science journalist and broadcaster.

She regularly presents radio and television programmes on the BBC, and her writing has appeared in New Scientist, the Guardian, The Sunday Times, and WIRED. Her latest book, Superior: the Return of Race Science, was published in 2019,

Heidi Larson, Professor of Anthropology, Risk and Decision Science and director of The Vaccine Confidence Project Larson is the director of the WHO’s Vaccine Confidence Project, an initiative tackling the anti-vax movement. Larson headed UNICEF’s strategy for the introduction of new vaccines and is the principle investigator of the project ensuring deployment, acceptance and compliance of an Ebola vaccine trial in Sierra Leone.

Edward Chang, Bowes Biomedical Investigator and Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco Chang’s clinical expertise is surgical therapies for epilepsy, pain, and brain tumours – his latest work has shown a way to translate brain activity into speech.

Taking place on 25 March at Kings Place, London, WIRED Health is an unmissable event for those interested in the future of health and patient care. Find out more at wired.uk/health-event.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER

Receive 20% off your ticket with code OTMag20, book your place at wired.uk/health-event.

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Wheelchair Provision Working in

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in wheelchair provision?

Lauren Osborne is a wheelchair therapist working at Hertfordshire Wheelchair Service and she loves the variety and satisfaction that comes with her role.

Here, Lauren shares what a typical day in her role entails and describes the many different cases she has the opportunity to work on.

I love it and am a self-confessed wheelchair geek!

O

ccupational therapy is a vast and varied profession. One of its many specialisms is wheelchair services, traditionally an NHS service, but more increasingly becoming a privately contracted service.

Many OTs may not know much about the breadth of wheelchair provision, or consider it as an area of practice. Wheelchair services have unfortunately received a negative press in recent years, which I believe discredits the amazing work that goes unreported. It is a specialist clinical service, troubled by complicated commissioning, resulting in a postcode lottery of provision. When you unpick wheelchair services, you see the complex depths of wheelchair prescription is completely individual; and why wouldn’t it be, no two people are the same or have the same requirements from a wheelchair.

My day usually begins with tea, because who can function without a first cup of tea in the morning? I scan through my emails, then move on to my running sheet for the day, this lists my appointments, and tells me whether they are clinics or home visits. As a service, we try to see as many people as we can in the clinic because we have the facilities required for a thorough assessment.

For each of my planned appointments, I read through the referral forms to find out what the appointment is planned for and look at any recent previous assessments.

I then check what equipment they currently have on issue and make a note of their diagnosis, thinking about how that may impact their function. Then it’s time for our clinical team daily huddle, this is the platform where we support each other as a team, share clinical cases, make joint decisions and discuss any pressing issues.

Today, my first appointment is a client with multiple sclerosis who uses a powered wheelchair. His hand function has been deteriorating and he is now finding it more difficult to use the joystick to independently control the wheelchair. His fingers are flexed into a fist and despite using night-time splints, he is unable to open his fingers towards the end of the day. His shoulder is getting stiff, and he can no longer rest his arm straight on the armrest.

With support from our rehabilitation engineering technician, we explore moving his controls so that they are mounted on a tray across his lap instead of on the armrest. We then try out some different shaped joystick knobs, finding that a chin cup works well and he can still move this around using the outside edge of his fist. Parts are identified to change his controls; we agree to order them and arrange a follow-up appointment for them to be fitted.

After a quick write up, the next appointment is to handover a selfpropelling wheelchair to a five-yearold girl who has used a buggy until now. She has cerebral palsy which mainly affects her legs. Her mother lifts her into the wheelchair and, after a few minor adjustments, she

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is keen to get moving. She doesn’t require much instruction on how to self-propel before she is off and squealing with delight at the ability to move herself. Her little brother is fixated with the flashing lights that shine brightly from her front castors.

Her parents chose them as a “topup” personal wheelchair budget to match the flashing lights her brother has on his scooter so that they can both light up on the way to school.

After signing their conditions of loan, they are on their way.

My next appointment is a female with a spinal cord injury who has developed a pressure ulcer on her sacrum. We discuss her daily routine, how she transfers, what clothing she generally wears, how long she spends sitting in her wheelchair, what mattress she has on her bed and whether she sits anywhere else during the day.

From this discussion, and reviewing her position in the wheelchair, it appears that she is sitting with a posteriorly tilted pelvis, meaning that a lot of her weight is going down through her sacrum. She is hoisted out to the plinth to assess her posture outside of the wheelchair and she is able to sit with a neutral pelvis, so it’s not a limitation of her body structure that has caused the pressure ulcer to develop. We decide to pressure map to ensure the cushion is providing the correct support. This involves her sitting on a pad across the top of her cushion, which then projects an image of her bottom to the computer screen, a bit like a weather map, showing areas of blue/green for even pressure and orange/red for high peaks. She is hoisted back into the wheelchair and the image shows she has a high peak centrally at the back, where her sacrum is located and at the exact point of her pressure ulcer. She is then re-hoisted using the longest loop on the leg strap of her hoist sling, and the pressure map is now fully blue/green. She is amazed that something so simple can create such a difference to her position, and reports that she feels as though she is sitting more upright and will discuss it with her carers when she gets home.

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After lunch I am “on duty” for the afternoon. This involves answering queries and taking calls from service users and therapists.

First, a client whose cushion is worn out and needs replacing. I source one from the shelf, label it up in the warehouse and request delivery by our repair team. Next is a student at college with a broken harness strap, so I find a replacement in the warehouse and send one of our rehabilitation engineering technicians to fix it on campus. I take a couple of queries from OTs in hospitals who want to discuss cases they are considering referring to clarify eligibility criteria.

Each phone call requires a write-

up, so it’s a slow process, but I feel satisfied that I have made a difference and sorted out some issues for people. I round off my day by checking in with the two therapists that I supervise, asking how their appointments have gone and if they need any support. One of them is running an approved prescriber training course the next day for community therapists, so I help him set out some wheelchairs and accessories ready for the morning; then it’s home time.

No two days are the same, it’s such a varied and challenging role with the added value of working autonomously but also within a supportive team. I love it and am a self-confessed wheelchair geek!

PMG

Lauren Osborne has provided this article as a member of Posture & Mobility Group (PMG) which is an educational charity aimed at professionals working in the field of posture and mobility for wheelchair users. PMG provide lots of educational content on their website, such as best practice guidelines, research papers and journal articles. They also organise an annual conference with an industry exhibition to bring everyone working in the field together for a few days of learning and networking. Their next conference is taking place 2-4 November in Telford and will feature sessions on sustainability, pressure mapping, outcome measures and lots more. Details are available via pmguk.co.uk/conference.

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Life after traumatic injury can be challenging Blesma is here for all serving and ex-Service men and women who have experienced loss of limb, use of limbs, hearing, sight or speech, either during or after Service

Get in touch to find out how we can support you and your family Tel: 020 8548 7080 Email: membersupport@blesma.org Find out more: www.blesma.org

Product FOCUS

1

Product focus

Every issue we bring you the latest products from across the market to help you improve the lives of your clients.

1

PRIMA LIFT

Designed for you to keep your own toilet seat, the Prima Lift offers a 2-inch raise offering you a discreet raised seat. Its high gloss finish is attractive, practical and is completely sealed making it easy to clean and giving it a long life. It comes with fixings and can be fitted to a round, oval or square toilet. Available from Langham-Gordon Ellis.

01332 810504 | gordonellis.co.uk 2

NEW BLAZER POWERCHAIR

The latest version of the Blazer powerchair from Karma Mobility which features a folding backrest with a height of 540mm, along with a reduced overall width of 580mm, will be on stand N572 at Naidex. A compact indoor/outdoor powerchair, the Blazer can be easily adjusted to meet the specific requirements of the user and is perfect for use in confined spaces.

0845 630 3436 | karmamobility.co.uk

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3

Product focus 3

ROLLZ MOTION RHYTHM

Rollz Motion Rhythm is designed for people with Parkinson’s disease or similar conditions showing gait disruptions. This stable rollator incorporates a laser line on the ground, a metronome with vibration in the handlebars and two different sound tones, all of which can help the user should they have a freezing episode. You can see this on stand N887 at Naidex.

0333 207 2080 | rollz.com 4

UPLIFTING SEAT

This clever design allows the user to rise more easily from a seated position. Once the user shifts their weight onto their feet, the rise function in the seat is activated and it assists the user to get up and out of the chair gently, reducing the risk of falls or injuries.

0345 121 8111 | nrshealthcare.co.uk 5

QUOKKA SMART PHONE CASE

This hard storage case for smartphones is designed to fit neatly onto the frame of a wheelchair, rollator or crutches via a Quokka adaptor. It allows users to access their phone easily without worrying about where to safely store it without it getting damaged or dropping it.

0800 772 3771 | designed2enable.co.uk

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5

Product focus 6

BASIN WITH HAND GRIPS

This stylish wash basin has discreet integrated hand grips to offer additional support when standing at the basin. There is also plenty of room under the basin to allow access for wheelchair users and it comes with rails that can double up as towel holders too.

020 3735 5139 | motionspot.co.uk 7

DAYS OF THE WEEK CLOCK

Designed for people living with dementia or memory loss. This clock clearly indicates what day of the week it is to help reduce the disorientation, anxiety and stress that can be brought on by confusion. The clock is very similar to a regular clock face making it an easy transition for someone living with dementia.

Simple but effective.

0203 870 3874 dementia.livebetterwith.com 8

6

7

THE CHELSEA SHOLLEY

This kitsch and colourful shopping trolley is sturdy, useful and stylish.

Ideal for a trip to the shops, it folds flat easily for storage and there is an array of matching items available.

Made from high quality fabrics and leather, the lid of the trolley is also strong enough to rest a heavy shopping basket on.

01255 431 444 | sholley.com

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We are delighted to announce that we have launched The OT Awards 2020!

I

f you follow us on any social media channels you will already know that we have announced our inaugural OT Awards, and we have probably been guilty of filling your news feeds shouting about them. Apologies for that.

These annual awards have been created to recognise occupational therapists who are going above and beyond in their roles on a daily basis.

We want to celebrate the passion, dedication and creativity driven by OTs in all corners of the healthcare industry and to award those OTs who strive for the independence of their patients every day.

We love to celebrate the incredible work that OTs do and believe that the OT community is hugely undervalued; something we would like to change. The OT Awards are another way that we hope to raise the profile of the OT profession.

The OT Awards aim to recognise occupational therapists from all stages of their careers, from all walks of life and from the many different settings that OT exists in. We hope that these awards will highlight the amazing work happening in the OT community right now.

Submissions will be judged by an esteemed panel of occupational therapists, chaired by Jen Gash of the OTCoach. We will be releasing the names of the other judges over the next few weeks, so keep an eye on our social feeds!

A shortlist will be created for each 38

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award, and the winners will be announced at a glittering award ceremony on Friday 23 October 2020 at the MacDonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham.

If you are successful in being shortlisted for an award, we will contact you to let you know and to invite you to join us for the awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced. In addition to your guest ticket, we will also offer you an exclusive code so you can bring a partner or friend at a discounted rate.

Submissions will be judged by an esteemed panel of occupational therapists, chaired

by Jen Gash of the OTCoach

The OT Awards

The ten award categories that you can enter are as follows: Outstanding OT of the Year Recognising the outstanding work and contributions of an OT who goes above and beyond in every aspect of their practice.

Independent OT of the Year Recognising the outstanding work and contributions of an OT who is successfully practising independently.

OT Assistant/OT Technical Instructor of the Year Awarding an OTA or OTTI that has shown themselves to be a vital and dedicated member of a team.

Multi-disciplinary Team of the Year Recognising a team that includes at least one OT, where allied health professionals work exceptionally well together to provide a high level of care to their patients.

Innovative Project of the Year An OT or group of OTs who have created an innovative project or worked in an emerging role, where the OT theory, philosophy or intervention is being used to new effect or with a new client group.

Occupational Therapy Educator of the Year Recognising an outstanding OT in education for going the extra mile in inspiring, supporting and growing our new generation of OTs. Paediatric OT of the Year Recognising an occupational therapist for their dedicated approach to working with children and young people.

Mental Health OT of the Year Awarding an OT who works specifically with people who are living with mental health problems.

OT in Elderly Care Award Recognising OTs working with older people and those living with conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

OT Leadership Award Recognising a lead OT who runs a successful team, someone who manages workloads, time and staff well to ensure a thriving work environment.

Visit ot-awards.co.uk to submit your entry.

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Product Awards We are also offering the opportunity for organisations who create independent living products to put their products and devices forward for a range of awards.

Independent living products can be life-changing for people living with disabilities or who are recovering from injury, and they can assist carers and healthcare professionals with safe care, and moving and handling.

There are five categories for products to be entered into: Mobility Product of the Year This category will recognise excellence and innovation in manual wheelchairs, electric powerchairs, scooters, rollators and other mobility aids.

Personal Comfort and Independence Product of the Year From riser recliner chairs and postural seating aids, to electric beds and kitchen aids, this category will recognise products that are designed to ensure a person’s independence and comfort in the home.

Bathroom Product of the Year Products designed to make bathing and toileting easier for both carers and individuals who require assistance with washing, using the toilet and personal hygiene.

Paediatric Product of the Year This category will recognise innovative products designed for children and young people, from seating systems and sensory products, to specialist beds and toys to help development.

Moving and Handling Product of the Year This category will recognise products that are designed to help carers with the moving and handling of patients in a healthcare setting or at home.

Each product entry costs £125+VAT and details on entry can be found at ot-awards.co.uk.

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Judges

Jen’s experience, passion for the OT profession and commitment We have enlisted the help of Jen Gash to recognising the amazing work of the OTCoach, to chair our judging OTs do, perfectly places her for panel. Jen is an experienced, wellthe role as the chair of our judging known and respected member of the panel. occupational therapist community.

We will be revealing the newest She runs the successful coaching members of our judging panel practice OTCoach where she coaches over the coming weeks. Watch OTs to reach their full potential and this space! teaches OTs how to implement coaching into their practice. Jen is also To find out more about a talented artist and was named 2018’s Jen visit jengash.co.uk or Sky Landscape Artist of the Year. visit otcoach.com.

COMING SOON

Tickets Join us for The OT Awards 2020 on Friday 23 October at the MacDonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham for a glittering evening of celebration.

Dress code: Black tie Drinks reception: 7pm Seated for meal: 7.30pm Awards: 9.30pm Dancing: 11pm Carriages: 1am Ticket prices include a glass of fizz on arrival, a three-course meal, wine to complement the meal with tea and coffee to follow. You will also be treated to music and entertainment and every guest will receive a goody bag to take home with them.

Early Bird Offer If you purchase your tickets before 17 July 2020 you will receive 20% discount: Single ticket - £96 (full price £120) Table (10 seats) - £800 (full price £1,000) Remember if you are shortlisted for an award you will be invited to attend the ceremony for free.

Contact If you have any queries about The OT Awards 2020, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0141 465 2960 or email info@ot-awards.co.uk.

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Planning a Project

B

eing in a care home is, sadly, not many elderly people’s idea of a very good time.

That being said, the intervention of occupational therapists or adjacent professionals can help encourage continued commitment to ADLs and improve mood through projects.

These projects can be wildly “out there” in terms of their scope, or simple but effective in their nature.

Helping to improve the lives of elderly patients who live in care homes can be both personally and

OT-led projects can bring both joy and personal development to people who are living in care homes, and help break up the monotony of their lives

professionally fulfilling, and engaging care home residents with a project can be a great way of raising their morale and contentedness, while simultaneously exploring new and creative interventions.

If you’re looking for inspiration to start a project in a care home, we’ve selected some of our favourites to get you started. Many of these aren’t occupational therapy-led, but absolutely have applications in OT, and follow the holistic approach that the profession values so dearly.

Virtual Reality Based in the north-east of England, Reminiscience use virtual reality (VR) headsets to take elderly care home residents back in time and enjoy old memories. The team consults with families, friends and nurses before their sessions, and create tailor-made VR adventures, taking a person-centred approach to the sessions. Speaking to Care Choices, Ashley Stockled, a developer at the company, explained how the sessions are tailored: “Before we begin a session we talk to the participant and find out what they like.

“If they have been a keen bird watcher, we can load short films onto the VR headset showing different kinds of birds, which can be seen even by those with poor eyesight.

“We know elderly residents like to see images of their own towns and the places they liked to visit in their earlier years.

“The improvements in VR technology allow participants to see a 360-degree picture, providing a really immersive experience.”

VR has been found to be an increasingly useful tool for OTs, and some early studies have shown its usefulness in helping people living with dementia, as well as its use as a tool in rehabilitation settings. Many existing companies who deliver VR therapy work with OTs, so it’s something that a team could easily get involved in.

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Pole Dancing

Music

In 2018, there was some uproar surrounding the apparently “inappropriate” activity which took place at a care home in Christchurch, Dorset. The activity saw six women showing off their athletic prowess to songs from the 1950s and 60s.

Music is a language everyone speaks, and it transcends all boundaries.

Making Music represent around 200,000 music makers across the UK, and encourage groups to go into care and residential homes to bring music to their residents. Projects like A Choir in Every Care Home encourage the bringing of music into care homes; they don’t only involve people singing at the residents, but also bring the residents into the music, encouraging them to sing along with the songs performed.

While it’s not our place to say what is appropriate or inappropriate, pole dancing is not only a great form of exercise, but a brilliant form of dance, which sees people - usually women - display some serious athleticism as they twist and turn around the pole. It might look simple - but it’s not!

The reason we love this project is because it’s something completely different. People living in care homes may be, to the fault of no-one, subject to monotony. In that respect, it’s a great idea to try and encourage residents to take part in projects like this one which are a little bit left-of-field; you may not want to rock the boat with something like pole dancing, but there’s always an opportunity to apply OT-led ideals to something that’s maybe a little out of the ordinary. Besides - if it’s a bit different, you’re more likely to see people want to get involved!

Much like VR, music can be used to help people living with dementia to reconnect with old memories, provide comfort and bring joy. It can be great fun too - no-one is too old to enjoy playing a tambourine or maracas! Choirs can be extremely easy to organise too, because they rely on the presence of a few good singers instead of an actual band.

If you fancy organising something but you’re tone deaf, why not try teaming up with a local amateur choir, or contacting a band?

The concept lends itself well to becoming an OT-led project.

Knitting When we think of stereotypes of little old ladies, perhaps the first one that comes to mind is that they’re almost always champion knitters. While it may not be the case, knitting, sewing and mending are skills that the older generation are more likely to possess, having grown up in times where making and mending your own clothing was commonplace.

Residents at Coverage Care Services put their knitting caps on and launched a project called Knit a Square for Malawi in 2015, which was in turn inspired by another group called the Jolly Jumpers, who knit jumpers for children in Malawi, too.

The Square Knitters, as they call themselves, get together for a bit of tea and cake, raise money, and knit squares for blankets, which are then sent over to Malawi, where newborns and children are in real need of cosy, safe, and clean blankets.

This kind of project is great because below its surface, it’s surprisingly multifaceted. On a base level, it’s a charitable activity, which in itself should not be undermined or undervalued. Looking beyond that, it’s also a sociable activity which keeps the mind busy. Applying occupational therapy to a kind of project like this should not be particularly difficult; it could be transposed to people who live with dementia, or as a prospective intervention to help alleviate loneliness.

-magazine.co.uk

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Assistive Technology in the Classroom Harnessing the power of assistive technology in education

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pril 2020 will see 100 schools welcome a trial that will allow pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to use assistive technology in the classroom.

This trial is a first of its kind in the world and it aims to level the playing field in school for pupils with SEND. This welcome news will hopefully pave the way for more inclusivity in schools, allowing more pupils to attend mainstream schools and be able to participate fully and get the most out of their education.

Assistive technology is moving at a fast pace, with new devices and tools being developed all the time to assist people to live more independent lives. Where better to invest and utilise these devices than in our own schools, supporting the next generation to access everything they need to learn?

The innovations expected to be introduced to schools include textto-speech technology which will transform the lives of some pupils by allowing them to communicate more freely, ask questions, take part in discussions and improve the quality of their learning. Speech recognition software will also be used and it has been recognised that this could help pupils with dyslexia improve their reading and proofreading.

Eye-gaze technology has also been mentioned to assist pupils with severe motor impairments to communicate, this pioneering technology will not only improve pupil’s education but it will benefit them emotionally too. Feeling included, involved and valued at school changes the experiences of pupils who have severe motor impairment, this technology can open up a new world to them on a daily basis.

Where better to invest and utilise these devices than in our own schools, supporting the next generation to access everything they need to learn?

-magazine.co.uk

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The Trial The trial was announced by Chris Skidmore, the UK’s Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Minister, at the Bett 2020 exhibition in London in February. He commented: “Harnessing the power of modern technology can help us change lives and unlock the potential of every child.

The trial will begin with an initial funding injection of £300,000, as part of a wider £10million investment through the Department of Education’s EdTech Strategy which aims to transform the use of technology in education to support innovation and raise the bar in schools, colleges and universities across England.

“With technological advances happening at increasingly breakneck speed, it is only right that we ride the wave so pupils in our classrooms with special educational needs are given all the support they need.”

The pilots are due to begin in April 2020 and run for the duration of the following academic year. The trial will be used to test out varying devices and technologies and measure the impact they have on

The EdTech Strategy

challenges and relieve teacher’s workloads in relation to marking and homework assignments.

The Education Technology Strategy was set in motion in 2019, with key objectives of transforming the education system by utilising the innovations and technologies out there. The aim is to improve performance in schools for teachers, pupils and leaders in the education system, to tackle common

The areas being addressed, not only cover the education of SEND pupils and using technology to help them reach their potential and fully participate in the curriculum, but also to open up training opportunities for teachers online, using anti-cheating software to regulate university work, and to understand how technology can

We are in the throws of a digital revolution, technology is moving at a staggering pace

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SEND pupils. They will also be using these trials to develop best practice methods for the tools that have most helped pupils in the classroom.

National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) chief executive Adam Boddison said: “Assistive technology is increasingly being used by schools to ensure that pupils with SEND have full access to the curriculum offer.

“This programme will play an important role in providing a reliable evidence base for schools so they can be as effective as possible in their use of assistive technology.”

further assist students with their learning.

We are in the throws of a digital revolution, technology is moving at a staggering pace and our education system is working towards utilising these advances for the benefit of all. Let’s hope these trials show the true benefits of this form of assistive technology and paves the way for making schools more inclusive and the learning experiences more positive.

1

Access All Areas A resource guide to help your clients get out and about

I

t appears that spring has finally sprung and we are no longer coveting the idea of snuggling under blankets on the sofa every night, binge-watching Netflix and tucking into a tub of Häagen Dazs.

As the days grow longer it is important that we all get some more vitamin D into our systems, the sunshine and bright skies can do wonders for our mental health – that’s why everyone seems happier in summer.

For some of your patients this may be easier said than done though.

Accessibility is still a major issue for many disabled people as so many restaurants, cafes, attractions and shops are still inaccessible for wheelchair users. Days out have to be pre-planned and access double checked to avoid disappointment on arrival. Families with young disabled children often struggle to find venues that have the right facilities for them, including Changing Places facilities or quiet rooms for children with sensory processing disorders or autism.

The sheer thought of trying to find an appropriate venue of attraction to visit can be overwhelming to some, so why not help your patients by offering some helpful advice to make the whole process a little easier. We have put together a handy resource guide to help ensure your clients and patients can make the most of the nicer weather by getting out and about, socialising, visiting new places and having fun.

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The top of our list for information on accessible venues and attractions would be Euan’s Guide. This is a comprehensive site of venues across the UK that have been personally reviewed by disabled people to give others an accurate idea of the accessibility and service at the venue. You will find reviews on major attractions as well as local cafes, restaurants and shops, the reviewer will give a rating out of five and give their personal account of their experience. You can find out more at euansguide.com.

The Welcome app by Neatebox has been designed to allow users to notify venues of their visit and alert them to their requirements before they arrive. The app sends the venue a message with your details and information including best practice, top tips and an overview of any conditions you have shared, along with any other specific requests or comments you have made. It is designed to ensure all disabled people receive great customer service and it helps the organisations to ensure they are providing the necessary support to individuals. The app is free to download.

If your clients are looking to escape to somewhere more exotic in the world, but have concerns about booking an accessible holiday that will meet all of their requirements and allow them to travel worry-free, take a look at Enable Holidays and Disabled Access Holidays. Both organisations are dedicated to providing fully-accessible holidays across the globe, ensuring flights, transfers, accommodation and excursions are all tailored to the specific needs of an individual.

Check out enableholidays.com or disabledaccessholidays.com.

Check out the National Autistic Society’s website at autism.org.uk, it has a section dedicated to holidays and days out. It covers a vast range of events and excursions, from outings to the theatre to specific events organised by the National Autistic Society, and it offers helpful tips and planning advice to ensure a stress-free, accessible and fun day out for all involved.

Perhaps your clients are just looking to get out and about on a regular basis to enjoy the countryside, to get fresh air, spot wildlife, get some exercise and spend some quality time with family and friends.

Whether it is for exercise or just for fun, if your client wants to explore anywhere further afield than their local park or green space, it is incredibly helpful to know where the accessible trails are. Websites like walkswithwheelchairs.com can be great at locating nearby suitable trails and wildlifetrust.org highlights accessible nature reserves to explore.

AccessAble is another website and app that lists accessible venues throughout the UK. They have surveyed thousands of venues across the country to create a comprehensive list that allows users to search for a restaurant, museum or cinema in their area and it will bring up a list of accessibility symbols and a brief guide about the venue’s location. You can download the app for free; find out more at accessable.co.uk.

Recommend your client to get a Max card – this card is available to foster families and families of children with additional needs, it gives free entry or discounted rates to attractions across the UK. From castles, zoos, bowling alleys and theme parks, the Max card is available through local authorities and is a great way to save money on any day trips and fun excursions – a great way to save money and still treat the kids in the school holidays. Visit mymaxcard.co.uk to find out more.

Stay Up Late is a charity fighting for the rights of people living with learning disabilities to lead the lives they want, and not according to carers’ restrictive rotas. They organise great concerts and events for people with and without learning disabilities and they run Gig Buddies which pairs up volunteers to attend concerts with someone with a learning disability. You can find out more at stayuplate.org.

-magazine.co.uk

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17 & 18 MARCH 2020

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Always looking to bring you the latest solutions that allow disabled people to live more independently, 2020’s show will put its focus on the key topics taking the industry by storm - from inclusion and accessibility to mobility and employability, Naidex 46 has you covered.

Visitors will be able to shop from 400 world-class suppliers and try before they buy, but Naidex has always been much more than a marketplace where visitors can find the latest innovations - it is a place where people come together and learn about the industry’s future.

Aspiring for a better future of independent living and healthcare

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aidex is Europe’s most established event dedicated to the healthcare and independent living industries.

Showcasing the latest innovations in mobility, care, moving and handling, rehab, assistive technology, accessible design and more, the show brings together 18,000 visitors into the halls of Birmingham’s NEC for two days of opportunities, innovation, discovery and education.

source new leads, introduce the latest product or service, they will find what they’re looking for at Naidex.

As technology continues to evolve and society advances towards inclusion and accessibility, Naidex sets itself as the point of reference for the future trends set to take over the independent living and healthcare sectors. Boasting hundreds of world-class suppliers, educational seminars, expert-led panel debates and countless educational features, Naidex is a must-attend for anyone who is a professional from the health and care sector.

In 2020 Naidex will be back for its 46th anniversary - Europe’s most established event dedicated to the disability and independent living industries will be flooding Birmingham’s NEC once more on the 17 - 18 March 2020.

With all this lined up, Naidex offers all the innovations that are improving accessibility and inclusion, as well as empowering people with a disability.

And if this wasn’t enough, tickets are completely free at naidex.co.uk.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2020?

As the epicentre of the disability and healthcare world, Naidex 46 will also boast an unparalleled speaker line-up, providing you with 300 inspirational seminars from renowned names such as Microsoft, Sainsbury’s, Stanley Security, BBC, Monzo and more. Throughout both days, seminar theatres will be brimming with information and advice, leaving audiences uplifted and empowered.

What’s more, the most loved features will be making a comeback - visitors will be able to test the very latest mobility products on the Mobility Test Track, get involved in the Live Sports Arena, get CPD points in the Moving and Handling Lab, or discover the latest in digital and physical accessibility, courtesy of the Accessibility Summit.

If this wasn’t enough, the 46th edition of the show will also see the launch of new features, such as the Naidex Junior Trail, which will be providing children and their parents with paediatric solutions created specifically with children at heart.

With all this lined up, Naidex will once again become the hub of the disability sector. And the best part?

Tickets will be remaining completely free at naidex.co.uk.

So whatever the purpose of the visit, whether visitors are looking to adapt their home to make it more accessible, find a job, get CPD points, learn the latest techniques, 51

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Paediatrics All the latest from the world of paediatrics

SECTION here was a point last year where llamas were on everything: llama cushions, bed spreads, mugs and t-shirts that said “drama llama”, and so much more. We collectively decided, for no real identifiable reason, that the time of “cacti on everything” was over, and now, it was time for the noble llama to shine. Slowly, this appears to have trickled into the sphere of occupational therapy, and now we have a number of OTs using them as alternatives to dogs or ponies in animal therapy sessions. But just how well do these animals suit the needs of animal therapy? Turn to page 54 and find out!

T

On page 57, we dive into the toll social media takes on children’s mental health. When social media is something that can give us validation so quickly, it’s imperative that we keep a close eye on how young people are using these websites, making sure they understand where the line between reality and Instagram or Twitter blurs.

We also have our carefully curated selection of paediatric products on page 60 for you to take inspiration or add to your work wish list. As always, if there’s something you’d like to see included in the paediatrics section, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email at: ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

Read on to find out more...

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Llamas AS THERAPY ANIMALS While they may not be a conventional choice for a therapy animal, the llama and alpaca craze is making waves in animal therapy circles

W

hen you think of therapy animals, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not going to be llamas.

You might think of trekking through Peru with the fuzzy little mammals acting as pack mules; or Tina the Fat Lard from Napoleon Dynamite, the dysfunctional family’s equally dysfunctional pet llama who lived in the field beside their house.

While dogs are thought of as the traditional and almost stalwart choice for therapy animals, some people have had bad experiences with the animal, or perhaps are allergic. Just one interaction with a badly trained, snappy dog can leave people scarred for life, so there needs to be an alternative therapy animal for those who cannot otherwise enjoy the calming company of a loving pooch.

In strides the noble llama to take its place. You’d be surprised just how well-suited the animal, and its close relative in the animal kingdom, the alpaca, are to act as therapy animals. A well-trained llama is about as pleasant an animal to be around as any other conventional family pet. Much like dogs, a llama can learn simple actions through repetition. They are related to the camel, but have a much more

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But why specifically llamas? Horses, especially Shetland ponies, who are available in relative abundance in the UK compared to llamas and alpacas, already fill the niche that dogs are unable to in terms of therapy animals.

Therapy llamas and alpacas do exist in the UK, but make up an extremely small percentage of therapy animals available to clients when compared to more “conventional” therapy animals, like the aforementioned dogs and horses.

pleasant temperament: a llama is considerably less likely to engage in spitting or bashing like their humped brethren. Much like dogs, they have a curious nature, and will happily engage with people as part of their investigative personality.

Writing in the New York Times, Jennifer Kingson reports that the biggest part of why therapy alpacas and llamas are taking off in the United States is because of the novelty appeal of the animals. It’s not every day that a llama visits your care home, is it?

Animal assisted therapist Julie Taylor-Browne notes that there are three ways to effectively use llamas and alpacas for assisted therapy: llama assisted therapy, llama assisted interventions, and llama assisted activities. Using these animals as part of animal assisted therapy, goals can be set for the clients which can involve physical, social, emotional, or cognitive function, which is achieved through use of a trained animal as part of a goal-directed intervention.

However, as much as they are a novelty, the animals do appear to be very well-suited to the interventions.

Kingson spoke to a llama breeder who told her that their llama Flight can “read people,” explaining: “[W]hen she goes into a setting where someone’s really animated and excited to see her, she’ll put her head down for a hug.” Flight also seems to know when someone is nervous, as the animal will “stand stock still”.

Animal assisted activities is a more general activity which may involve taking the llamas to hospitals or nursing homes in a sort of “meet and greet” environment. Llama or alpaca assisted interventions involves the use of a specifically chosen and trained animal who assists the client in achieving a specific goal or objective.

Taylor-Browne notes that this form of intervention is considered to be especially effective in situations where other interventions have not worked as planned or expected with a client.

While anecdotal evidence is great, there is still limited evidence to prove how effective this trend that is currently sweeping the animal therapy world really is. A 2006 pilot study by Mona Sams, Elizabeth Fortney and Stan Willenbring, which was published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, concluded “indicated that the children engaged in significantly greater use of language and … social interaction in the occupational therapy sessions incorporating animals than in the standard

occupational therapy sessions.”

While this is an excellent conclusion, it’s worth noting that some issues have been raised regarding the validity of the study. Occupational therapist Christopher Alterio noted on his blog that “there are some gaping methodological holes - some alluded to in the article and others not. They appropriately mention the non-blind conditions. Also, the primary author may have a business interest that could potentially contribute to bias.”

He applauded the effort behind the study, but noted that “this is one of those anecdotal issues where most people agree that animals can be an effective methodology, but there really is a lack of good research on the subject.”

Anthrozoologist and professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, Hal Herzog, also contested the findings of the study. He told the New York Times: “The evidence for the short-term, probably transient, effects of

interacting with animals in nursing homes or for autistic kids is quite good – petting a dog, or interacting with a llama, stress levels go down.

But when we think of therapy, we think about long-term treatment, and I think the evidence for that is mixed.”

Herzog noted that there were some issues in the pilot’s methodology; specifically with the actions of its control group, which he said were asked to do “boring stuff” when compared with the children who were allowed to play with the llamas.

“I have no objection to that llama study, if it makes the kids feel better for a time, but I wouldn’t call it therapy.”

Much like dogs, they have a curious nature, and will happily engage with people as part of their investigative personality The anecdotal evidence persists in giving llamas and alpacas a place in the farmyard of alternative therapy animals, but the empirical evidence seems to fall down in justifying that place. Evidence could appear to suggest that animal therapy with llamas and alpacas is scientifically valid, but when will that happen? Who knows.

-magazine.co.uk

55

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#MENTALHEALTH We explore the impact of social media on young minds and consider how OTs can help promote the positive aspects and limit the negative outcomes

I

t has been reported that in the last 25 years, the rates of anxiety and depression in young people have risen by 70%. This is a terrifying and sobering fact, and one that can be strongly linked to the use of social media.

Social media is addictive, some believe more so than cigarettes and alcohol. We therefore have

a responsibility to look more closely at the impact it is having on the lives of young people. The teenagers of 2020 have grown up with social media in their lives; it has become a platform for them to form relationships, to discover likes and dislikes, to express themselves and shape their identity as young individuals.

#STATUSOFMIND In 2017, a report was produced by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and the Young Health Movement called #StatusOfMind, highlighting the negative and positive aspects of social media platforms, and to call on government, policy makers and social media firms to make changes.

The report showed young people aged between 16 and 24 as the most active age group on social media.

This is an age of emotional, physical and psychosocial development; a crucial and delicate time of any young person’s life.

Despite what young teenagers may say, they have young and impressionable minds that are still developing, and they are still trying to figure out where they fit in the world.

The images, language, stories and videos they are exposed to through platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have a tremendous impact on their values, identity, confidence and mental health as they grow up.

91%

of people aged 16-24 use social media -magazine.co.uk

57

NEGATIVES

As with everything, there are pros and cons to social media. The negative side of social media can have serious detrimental effects on young people.

The #StatusOfMind report highlighted that nine out of ten girls are unhappy with their bodies. This comes as a direct result of being exposed to edited, filtered and unrealistic images of what is seen to be “the perfect body”. Young girls and boys end up comparing themselves to these images, feeling inadequate with their own bodies and this ultimately leads to low selfesteem and can potentially lead to depression.

The constant, 24-hour nature of our digital era has created an impatient world. People want instant access to the internet at all times and as a result, there is no escape from this constant barrage of potentially dangerous content. No longer can young people finish their school day and escape bullies, worries or feelings of inadequacy in the safety of their home surrounded only by the people who love them. They are constantly contactable, there is no reprieve.

Some young people are so addicted to checking their notifications and messages on their phones that it is interrupting their sleep patterns, waking up regularly through the night and checking their devices for any activity. Poor sleep quality it particularly damaging for young people as it is the time when their brains are recharging and developing, this is why teenagers need more sleep than adults.

Tiredness can have serious knockon effects to studying, eating habits, exercise and feelings of anxiety, which can seriously compromise a young person’s education and ability to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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POSITIVES Some good things can be taken from social media too, though. Many of these platforms offer supportive communities and emotional support for people who are struggling with mental health issues.

The report has recognised the movement of young people sharing their experiences of mental health, and reports that this “phenomenon” has been seen to be hugely beneficial to others experiencing mental health issues. Being able to relate your own experiences to someone who has blogged, vlogged or tweeted about their journey can help young people make sense of their own experiences and ultimately help them to realise they are not alone.

There is a great community aspect to these platforms too. Young people can choose to follow groups or pages of like-minded people, these communities can help to surround them with support and affirmation and offer a safe space to discuss any concerns or worries. These are particularly helpful to those who identify as being a part of a minority group, as these communities can grow to encompass vast supportive numbers from people across the globe.

HOW OTS CAN HELP As an OT working with young people it can be hard enough to keep up with the lingo, never mind the latest hashtags and trends on social media.

It can also sometimes be very hard to reach young people on their level, and promoting a healthier use of social media may be met with resistance.

However, if you are working with a young person who is living with mental health issues and you believe that their social media interactions are contributing to this, then here are a few things you can ask them to do to help improve their mental health: Ask them to be honest about how much they are using social media platforms. Most smart phones will track how much these apps are being used so you can get a truly accurate timescale of how long they are spending on there – they might

be surprised. You can then discuss reducing this time in manageable doses over a few weeks.

Discuss the accounts they follow and what they feel when they view posts from them: if the accounts are making them feel inadequate or low, suggest unfollowing them, no good can come from a constant stream of images that bring feelings of jealousy and inadequacy.

Look for positive accounts to follow.

Find out their interests and search for positive role models in this area, if possible look for funny lighthearted accounts that do not have a focus on body image or luxurious, unattainable lifestyles. If in doubt, follow cute animal accounts – noone can deny the power of seeing a cute puppy popping up in your feed.

If sleep quality is being affected by a constant need to check notifications during the night, talk about measures to put in place to stop this happening. Suggest moving their phone to the other side of the room

during the night and ensure it is on silent, this will hopefully stop them from easily picking it up from their bedside table through the night.

Encourage substituting scrolling through their phone for reading a book, practicing yoga or meditation before bedtime. It has been proven that using technology before you go to sleep has an adverse effect on your sleep quality, discuss good sleep hygiene and plan a healthy and realistic bedtime routine.

The battle against the impact that social media sites have on young people’s mental health is an ongoing one. We are in a new era of digital usage and it has already had a damaging effect on many young people. OTs are ideally placed to promote the positive aspects and responsible use of social media, and help young people find the supportive and positive experiences that are available on these platforms.

To read the full report from RSPH and the Young Health Movement visit rsph.org.uk.

Rates of anxiety and depression have risen 70% in 25 years 70% of young people have experienced cyberbullying 90% of girls say they are unhappy with their body

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Product FOCUS Every issue we bring you the latest products from across the market to help you improve the lives of your younger clients.

1

1

Kids

TACTILE DISCS SET

Put these discs on the floor, on walls, or place them in a child’s hand and let them enjoy the colourful and tactile fun. The set contains five large discs and five small discs, each with different colours and textures. It also includes a blindfold for sensory play, and a cloth storage bag.

01270 766660 | rhinouk.com 2

BEAR HUG

This deep pressure vest from Southpaw is an excellent resource to help develop proprioceptive integration, and promote calmness in hyper-responsive children. The close-fitting vest does not move, meaning it can be worn securely under clothing. The level of pressure can also be adjusted using the attached straps.

0115 718 0020 | southpaw.co.uk 3

2

WORRY EATER KEYRING

Created by animator Gerd Hahn, these keyrings can help provide anxious little ones with comfort and companionship while they’re out and about. Encourage children to write or draw what’s worrying them and pop it in the Worry Eater’s mouth, where their concerns will be “eaten up”.

0345 257 0849 | sensetoys.com

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DEMENTIA TAX A new report by Alzheimer’s Europe expects the number of people living with dementia to double in the next 30 years. Can occupational therapy increase the cost effectiveness of good quality care for people living with dementia?

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n February, Alzheimer Europe reported that they expect the number of people living with dementia to have doubled by 2050, in spite of a noted reduction in the prevalence of dementia. They anticipate that around 18,846,286 people in the wider European region will be living with dementia in just 30 years, up from 9,780,678 in the same area at present.

Health Europa reported that Jean Georges, Alzheimer Europe’s executive director, said of the news: “It is promising to see that healthier lifestyles, better education and improved control of cardiovascular risk factors seem to have contributed to a reduction of the prevalence of dementia.

“However, our report also demonstrates that the number of people living with the condition is set to increase substantially in the years ahead, which will only place greater pressure on care and support services unless better ways of treating and preventing dementia are identified.

“If people live with dementia, their families and carers are to receive the high-quality and person-centred care they need, governments must ensure their health and care systems

are ready to meet this demand and greater investments in research into the treatment and prevention of dementia are needed.”

The care of people with dementia is one of the primary concerns regarding the report: as long as dementia continues to affect people, we will continue to need care from nurses, doctors, occupational therapists and many other healthcare professionals - that ensures quality of life and quality of care remains high.

With that in mind, research published at the same time by the Alzheimer’s Society may cause some concern regarding maintaining that high quality of care.

The charity launched their Fix Dementia Care campaign in February, laying bare the need for urgent investment in the dementia care system to compensate for the “Dementia Penalty” which is levied against those who live with the illness and their families. On average, the charity says, the cost of a nursing home has doubled in the last decade, and now sees families spending almost £1000 every week on the cost of providing dedicated residential care for their loved ones who live with dementia.

People affected by dementia can see

...the cost of a nursing home has doubled in the last decade, and now sees families spending almost £1000 every week on the cost of providing dedicated residential care themselves spending up to £100,000 of their own money on their own care, due to what the charity calls “a system that is unfair, unstable and in need of an urgent overhaul.”

As the current system stands in the UK, people who live with dementia have to fund their own care unless they own assets worth less than £23,250, but the cost of care can vary wildly between patients, with some spending as much as £500,000 on their own care. In 2019, the Daily Mail reported that one in three people living with dementia had been forced to sell their homes in order to cover the cost of their own care.

...they expect the number of people living with dementia to have doubled by 2050 -magazine.co.uk

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The charity have labelled the current state of care a dementia crisis: the Alzheimer’s Society believes there will be a shortfall of 30,000 care home places for people with dementia by 2021. They are calling for three key changes to be made to the dementia care system as part of their Fix Dementia Care campaign: they are asking for an investment of £8bn to be made into the current social care system to stabilise it; a radical reformation of care funding; and a social care system that recognises the unique injustice of dementia.

Occupational therapy has a proven benefit to people who live with dementia: it improves their quality of life by aiding with activities of daily living, social participation, and their overall wellbeing. Occupational therapists can offer cost-effective means through which to adapt the

If people live with dementia, their families and carers are to receive the high-quality and person-centred care they need

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environment of people who live with dementia, as well as work with clients and families to improve skills like motor function and mobility.

Often, OTs can also be a source of good advice, and a supportive body who works alongside the family and other caregivers.

A 2008 study headed by Professor Maud Graff of Radboud University showed that introducing community occupational therapy for older patients with their care givers is cost effective, and can specifically reduce the costs of informal care giving, so it’s worth considering: how can occupational therapy factor into the drive to ensure people living with dementia are provided with excellent healthcare which is also cost effective for both the healthcare system and the families at large?

Increasing the incorporation of occupational therapy in the care system for dementia could positively reduce the overall cost of healthcare, and the dementia tax which is faced by families. RCOT provide an example as part of their campaign Occupational Therapy: Improving Lives, Saving Money. 86-year-old George lives with his wife Marjorie,

and lives with dementia. He has a history of falls, some of which have resulted in hospital admissions.

Their GP was also concerned about Marjorie, whose health was being taxed both physically and mentally by the strain of looking after her husband. An OT reduced the pressure on Marjorie; the OT installed adaptations in their home to enable George’s independence and allow him to transfer safely. The OT, who worked in the GP’s surgery, quickly provided adaptations which both reduced strain on Marjorie and improved George’s independence - George has also had no falls since the OT’s adaptations were installed.

This example shows how the quick intervention of an OT can save money to the overall healthcare system by reducing the costs incurred by a dementia patient’s need to use front-line services, and the additional strain on their family. If we plan to address the crisis in dementia care that the UK is currently observing, then OTs should be on the minds of every person who wants to improve quality of care while simultaneously improving the cost effectiveness of said care.

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CLASSROOM MASTERCHEF A specialist school has recently transformed their kitchen to allow all students access to the cooking experience

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he Victoria School and Specialist Arts College in Birmingham has transformed its food technology room to allow all of its students to access the kitchen and take part in cooking classes.

The school teaches students who have profound and multiple learning difficulties, catering for children aged from two to 19 years old with a complex range of disabilities. The previous food technology room they used wasn’t fully accessible and therefore not open to all the students. The new kitchen that has been installed by accessible kitchen specialist Ropox, and with the expertise of Adam Thomas, an experienced accessible kitchen designer, has transformed the space to allow all students to experience the art of cooking.

Kate Hale, English and DT coordinator at the school commented: “While our previous food tech room was adequate it was not fully accessible which meant a large number of our students were unable to actively take part in lessons. However, thanks to Ropox and Adam Thomas we now have four sinks and three hobs all of which are mounted within Ropox electric height adjustable

worktops, which can be operated independently and offer plenty of leg space underneath. This means that regardless of whether a student is in a wheelchair, uses a walking aid or can stand independently they can all cook food on the hobs and get involved in the washing up at whatever level is best for their balance and reach, which is brilliant for their education, confidence and self-esteem.”

The adjustable nature of the kitchen is even followed through to the four tables provided that allow students to adjust the height of the frame for food preparation and eating. These tables can also be moved around the room easily and come in manual and electric versions.

The students have all been impressed with the new kitchen equipment as 18-year-old Taylor Johnson who is studying for a BTEC in home cooking skills explained: “I think the new kitchen is much more suitable, especially for people in wheelchairs, I love using it and it is much better than the old kitchen as we can move the worktops up and down and reach the taps, sinks and cooker controls ourselves. The tables are brilliant as well, we made pizzas last week and that would have been impossible without the

...a large number of our students were unable to actively take part in lessons

tables as we were able to change the heights so we could all get involved in the preparation. We love our new kitchen!”

The school also operates a café which is run by the students with the help of staff. The café is open to everyone at the school and all the food sold there, which ranges from sausage rolls to cakes and pastries, is prepared by the students as part of their ongoing education plan, something that would not be possible without the new worktops and tables.

“For our students, performing tasks independently such as prepare food, turn on the taps, alter the height of the worktops and tables, use the hobs and wash up are huge achievements. These steps also form a vital part of their education care plan which sets out what they will be able to do when they leave us and what support they will need.

Since the students have started using the new kitchens and getting more involved, several parents have commented that their children now ask to be involved in cooking at home which is great to hear,” concluded Kate.

For more information on accessible kitchen ranges visit ropox.com.

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WINNING AT Life Have you ever wondered how those smug people who go through life remembering every birthday, never forgetting their child’s school project, never missing an appointment and generally cruising through life like they know what they are doing actually do it?

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e will let you in on a little secret – they are probably not all that together. However, they are probably managing to put a better disguise on it, because let’s face it, none of us really know what we are doing here on this planet. We all need a little help sometimes to organise our lives and reduce stress.

We have taken a look at the best apps out there that are designed to help keep you on top of managing your busy work and social life, so you too can exude the façade of having it all figured out.

CPDme The ever-present threat of the HCPC audit is always there, in the back of your mind waiting for the most inopportune moment to creep into your subconscious and wake you from a great sleep at 3am and keep you worrying about updating your CPD portfolio until your alarm goes off at 7am.

Avoid this inconvenient, sleepinterrupting worry by downloading the CPDme app. This app has been created by health and social care professionals and is designed to enable you to build your CPD portfolio simply and easily. It does cost £15.99 per year, but this does allow you to choose a HCPC compliant package that helps to ensure you are meeting the appropriate requirements.

It ultimately enables you to record and maintain your CPD activity on the move and as it happens, helping you to create an accurate and full CPD portfolio that can be presented confidently whenever you are called upon.

Some of the most popular features include a development activity report and summary of achieved standards, the ability to upload certificates and files, and the option to create a complete print-ready portfolio with supporting evidence at the touch of a button. If that wasn’t enough, you also get access to online CPD webinars that are also recorded so you can watch them at a time to suit you. cpdme.com

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Happy Not Perfect The creators behind this app recognise that life can get a little overwhelming at times, with its unexpected turns, stress-inducing jobs and fast-paced lifestyles. It is important to remember to take some time out and check in with yourself every now and again – you will quietly thank yourself for it later.

Happy Not Perfect is a mental wellbeing brand designed to help you live your life with less stress, to have a calmer mind and to sleep better. They have used research into positive psychology, neuroscience and meditation to create the app, and are constantly learning and developing as they grow.

Firstly, the app will ask you to label your emotion as research has shown that this helps you to start processing that emotion, the next step coaches you into some breathing exercises to reduce stress levels and smooth your breathing. This is followed by some questions based around the emotion you have expressed, it allows you to get your feelings out in the open and once they are out you burn them away by setting a metaphorical fire to your screen with your fingertip.

These steps continue, each time asking you to do something that will help to balance your mind and essentially find your happy place.

A great app to tap into on your lunchbreak when your day is not going quite as planned. happynotperfect.com

Yummly Meal prep can be one of the keys to a calmer, healthier and more financially stable you. By simply planning ahead and putting in a bit of prep work, you could be saving money, time, and your heart.

Forget grabbing those processed sandwiches off the shelf on your alltoo-short lunch break. Remove the temptation of opting for the rocky road bar in the meal deal when you know you should be choosing the fruit option. Basically, give your will power a break. Preparing healthy, tasty and balanced lunches for the week will save you time, money and allow you to actually take some time out to relax on your break – rather than racing to the nearest shop and spending half of your time in the queue, before scoffing down the slightly soggy and unpleasant offering that you had no option but to choose.

How many times have you arrived in from work, dropped your coat and bags at your feet and slumped onto the sofa, only to remember you have nothing in the fridge for dinner? It happens all too often to most of us.

Yummly is here to make your recipe planning a breeze. On downloading the free app you will be asked a series of questions on your likes and dislikes. This information is used to tailor the recipes that it recommends for you, once you have found one you like simply click on the ingredients and with one tap you can add them to your shopping list. As you shop you can tick off each item in the app to keep you right. yummly.co.uk

How many times have you arrived in from work, dropped your coat and bags at your feet and slumped onto the sofa, only to remember you have nothing in the fridge for dinner?

This simple, yet powerful little tool could turn around your hectic schedule

To Do Reminder with Alarm Okay, so it’s not the catchiest name out there, but this simple, free, no frills app does exactly what it says on the tin. You will never forget another birthday, appointment, deadline or parent’s evening again as this handy little app will remind you of it.

You can set up single tasks as a one off or input recurring ones daily, weekly or monthly. Ideal for birthday and anniversary reminders, ensuring you will never forget your motherin-law’s birthday again, thus saving a very awkward conversation and years of her looking at you with disdain.

This app can be used to set reminders of appointments with clients or patients, to remind you of a live CPD webinar taking place, or to prompt you to get a new pair of trainers because you have nearly worn through the soles of your current ones. The reminders you can set are endless.

Taking it from another angle this could be recommended as a tool for your patients to use to remind them to take their medication at a certain time each day, or to input all their upcoming hospital appointments. You can even add images to the reminders to clarify on what medication is to be taken and you can include locations for appointments too.

This simple, yet powerful little tool could turn around your hectic schedule by helping you feel in control of your days and organised with your work and social life. You truly could be one of those smug people who look like they have it all figured out. todoreminder.com -magazine.co.uk

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InstaOTs We love Instagram, as we’re sure you do too, so here’s a few of our favourite OTs on the social media platform to make you laugh, cry, and think

OT Reads (@ot.reads)

The Bleedin’ OT (@thebleedinot)

The only other thing we know OTs love more than a good Instagram post is a good book. OT Reads is run

by Julie, an OT based in Philadelphia, and she is unsurprisingly a great lover of the written word! If you find yourself on the look out for a new book to read which will help develop both your skills as an OT and your knowledge of the field, Julie’s recommendations span a massive breadth of topics, and include everything from yoga to podcasts.

She also has two unbelievably cute pugs, so if that doesn’t make you want to follow her, what will?

Something we don’t hear OTs talk about a lot is the menstrual cycle.

Given how many people in the world have a period, you’d think it would be a little more widely discussed, but shame and stigma put an end to us talking about something that’s very natural and nothing to be ashamed of. This awesome feminist paediatric OT is always coming in hot with a new meme, and a brilliant point of discussion about periods. Not only that, but she’s not shy about telling us the facts about period poverty, which affects us all.

The Student OT (@thestudentOT) Remember what it was like to be a student occupational therapist?

Maybe you still are one, or maybe it’s a foggy memory in your past.

The Student OT is- well, they’re a student of occupational therapy in London. They write weekly posts which summarise, in quite open and pure detail, what it’s like to be an OT student. Reading their Instagram feels a little bit like reading someone’s diary in a kind of clandestine way, but it’s a great source of solidarity for other students, and a lovely place to drop some nuggets of OT wisdom to the young padawans from the older, OT jedis.

Occupational Therapy Advocate (@wtf_is_ot)

Lydia Thompson (@lbthompson1) Not simply content with being an occupational therapist, Lydia is also a member of the Worcester and England rugby teams, proving to all of us that if she has time to do all of that, we have time to sit down and actually do some CPD. Her instagram is full of sporty stuff (she’s a rugby player, so what did we really expect), but she’s also a terrific source of inspiration, and just generally a very cool person.

Do you ever see an Instagram account and get really jealous because it’s just so good? This is that account for us. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and it’ll make you do your best impression of Captain America in the Avengers saying “I understood that reference” at all the high-quality occupational therapy memes. They also have a few great stories, which range from explaining what OT is for people who may be unsure, resources, and insights to name just a few.

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MANAGING MANAGEMENT Crew resource management has saved countless lives on aircrafts, and could provide occupational therapists with a brilliant method of challenging authority without the challenge

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n 1978, a United Airlines flight destined for Portland International Airport crashed into a suburban neighbourhood when the crew, led by Captain Malburn McBroom, failed to notice the plane was running out of fuel.

His first officer and flight engineer, Rod Beebe and Forrest Mendenhall respectively, were both aware of the problem, but didn’t feel like they had the authority to tell the captain that he was concentrating on the wrong problem: Captain McBroom was too busy trying to work out if the plane’s landing gear worked. Ten of the 181 souls on board perished.

This was when the introduction of cockpit resource management, later generalised to crew resource management, became a necessity in the airline industry. It had first been suggested after what is still the deadliest plane crash to have ever occurred, the 1977 Tenerife airport disaster, which saw two Boeing 747 jets smash into each other on the runway, killing a total of 583 people.

To tell your supervisor, boss, team leader or manager that their decision is bad or wrong is harrowing, and takes a degree of confidence many of us may not even have

The crash occurred when the pilot of KLM flight 4805 captain Jacob Veldhuyzen van Zanten attempted to take off without clearance in heavy fog; his copilots were hesitant to challenge the captain, who was the face of the entire KLM brand, despite him seeming to act irrationally. The KLM craft, less than 100ft from the ground, plowed through the side of the Pan Am plane, killing 335 people onboard. The KLM flight barrelled down the remainder of the runway, and heavy with aviation fuel, it burst into flames, killing all of the 248 souls on the flight.

The explanation of these two grim incidents aren’t meant to frighten you into swearing off your summer holidays. Rather, it illustrates something fundamental about hierarchy in the workplace: if you are faced with a member of staff who you deem more “learned” than you, or who is above you in terms of their position, you will struggle greatly to question their decisions, despite being aware of how bad the

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potential outcome could be.

Challenging authority goes against the very basic hierarchy of the society that we exist in. To tell your supervisor, boss, team leader or manager that their decision is bad or wrong is harrowing, and takes a degree of confidence many of us may not even have. In the cockpit of a plane, it’s a very similar situation: how could first officer Klaas Meurs, who had 95 flight hours on a Boeing 747, challenge captain Veldhuyzen van Zaten, who had 1,545 hours on the aircraft, was the face of the entire KLM brand, and was their chief flight instructor for the 747?

Crew resource management is simple to use, but difficult to master. Its application exists outside of the cockpit in many high-stress environments - the fire service uses it, as does the United States Air Force, and some medical teams in the US. Outside of these environments, it’s still a brilliant method for questioning the methods of an authority figure without making them feel like you’re doing just that. It’s the professional version of the old joke where someone informs their superior of what they think should be done, and the superior parrots it back as if it had all been their idea in the first place.

CRM expert for the International Association of Fire Chiefs breaks down the process of inquiry and advocacy into five easy to remember steps. In the case of the Tenerife disaster, first officer Meurs may have utilised CRM and told his captain: “Captain Veldhuyzen van Zanten, I’m concerned that the Pan Am jet hasn’t left the runway and we don’t have clearance to take off. I’m worried this might cause an accident. I think we should contact control to check the runway is empty and confirm we’re clear for take off. Does that sound good to you, Captain?”

CRM IN FIVE STEPS: 1 Address the individual to get their attention, preferably by name or title, 2 State your concern in a direct manner, while taking ownership of your emotions, 3 State the problem as you see it, 4 Give a constructive solution, 5 Obtain an agreement and proceed with the agreed change.

This approach allows those who are lower in the professional hierarchy to respectfully question authority figures in a conducive way, providing a fully realised solution to a problem which can prevent disaster. Of course, as occupational therapists, using CRM will likely not see you make the same kind of life-or-death decisions that airline pilots must do, but when you’re faced with the challenge of a band 7 making bad decisions that you, a band 5, must confront, how do you do so in a manner which is not deemed provocative or petty? When you’re left without an authority figure, how do you and your team effectively communicate and offer constructive solutions when there’s no-one to make decisions based on authority?

When you’re overwhelmed and bogged down by your workload, how do you reasonably put forward to your team the best approach to clearing through it? You may already be utilising CRM, but not quite know it.

Back to aircraft: in his book, Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Productivity in Life and Business, Charles Duhigg interviewed the captain of Qantas Airways flight 32, often hailed as one of the finest examples of CRM working successfully in an emergency. A few minutes after the plane took off from Singapore Changi Airport, the left inboard engine of the Airbus A380 suffered what’s known as an unconfined failure: this is the most dangerous kind of engine failure, as it may cause fragments of the turbine to damage hydraulic lines, or worse, penetrate the fuselage and hurt passengers.

Even before takeoff, Captain Richard Champion de Crespigny was running through mental models with his co-pilot and flight engineer.

He had them visualise what they would do if something went wrong

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with the plane: “Imagine there’s an engine failure,” he said. “Where’s the first place you’ll look?” He took charge, ran through everything that needed to be done, but fostered an environment which assured his flight crew that he was not infallible: they could all make mistakes, just as sure as they could all help correct them. He told them: “Everyone has a responsibility to tell me if you disagree with my decisions or think I’m missing anything.”

The engine did fail. Not that he or the crew were expecting it to, but it did. The crew landed the aircraft - the most damaged Airbus A380 which had ever been landed safely - and maintained Qantas’ impeccable safety record. There was not a single injury on the plane or on the ground. The success which Champion de Crespigny and his crew found in landing was attributed to their teamwork and CRM skills, which author of Airmanship, Carey Edwards, called “one of the finest examples of airmanship in the history of aviation.”

As an OT, you’re not expected to deal with an engine imploding on itself, but when faced with a high-stress scenario which may see you and your team struggle to work effectively towards the best resolution, it may be a good time to remember the five steps of CRM.

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Developers and suppliers of P&O devices will be present, giving you a unique opportunity to ask questions and meet charities involved in the field. You’ll also have full access to our clinical programme – details of our clinical programme are available at www.bapo.com We are also very pleased to have partnered with LimbPower who will host a family sports event on Saturday; an excellent opportunity for those who want to get involved with sports rehabilitation. A Diabetic Foot Conference will run alongside our own event over the weekend, focussing on the multi-disciplinary approach to management of the diabetic foot with renowned Podiatric Surgeon, Dr David Armstrong attending as the keynote speaker.

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At Langham-Gordon Ellis, we believe that daily living aids aren’t just for elderly people but can help people from all ages and walks of life.

J

eni Skinner, a special needs teaching assistant from Derbyshire teaches children with a variety of special educational needs, including autism, ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome and physical growth difficulties. We supplied Langham K40 steps to trial, here are her results: “The children involved find it difficult to maintain correct posture/physical positioning for them to sit at a table in a classroom. These children slouch at the table, can be “fidgety” and unable to sit as required.

“I trialled the steps to see if they

helped with engagement or to sit correctly at the table. It’s extremely useful that the steps are adjustable to individual needs, increasing versatility and accessibility.

“With most children, K40s helped positional seating and kept their backs straight against the chairs.

Their legs were at the correct angle which had been hard to achieve without the step. The positioning and posture achieved by using K40s alos benefitted the children academically - the longer they sat, the longer they could listen and join in with activities.

“The children found the steps rewarding to their sensory needs and liked to remove shoes and socks to feel the bumps in the plastic which was fantastic to watch. They really enjoyed the feeling beneath their feet.

“The children benefitted physically and academically from using K40s and I’d recommend them as a teaching aid to any professional working in an educational setting.”

To find out more, call 01332 810 504 or visit gordonellisdirect.co.uk -magazine.co.uk

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GETTING NETWORKING It’s the biggest necessary evil of professional life: networking. But when you’re at CPD events with other professionals, you’ve got no excuse not to get to know your peers

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vents are a brilliant opportunity to get in some quality CPD and learn things you would otherwise not have a chance to do, be that with event organisers, those who are operating stands, or other occupational therapists. While you should absolutely be prioritising CPD at these kind of events, it’s also a vitally important opportunity to do something else you’ve not got a massive chance to do during your standard working week: networking.

For the socially uncomfortable amongst us, the thought of networking scares to the very core.

Functionally speaking, networking is the act of selling your worth in a professional manner: it’s telling other people, “hi there, you should connect with me because I am good at my job and can open up doors for you, much in the same way you can do for me.” It’s a mutually reciprocal relationship in many instances; in some you may find yourself trying to get your foot in a very specific door.

As much as it can be a bit scary, to march up to someone and basically tell them how brilliant you are, it’s an absolutely vital part of the

profession. Think of it as building bridges in the most literal sense; no man - or woman - is an island, and no occupational therapist can cruise through their career on their own. Building these bridges opens connections to other OTs up to you, allowing their information to flow to you, and vice versa. One day you might want a reference, a bit of information about a specialisation, or a recommendation for someone who can help a client, and it’s in these moments that networking’s power comes in to save you.

When you’re at events, especially ones where you’re acquiring a few good CPD credits, you’re surrounded by other medical professionals, and often other OTs. This is a prime opportunity to make some professional friends.

Networking is a bit like making friends as an adult - no-one is really sure how to do it, and when they do, no-one’s ever sure when they’re doing it right. Don’t worry, though.

We’ll make sure you’ve got the basics down so that you can walk out of every CPD event with a wallet full of business cards and a phone full of new professional pals.

WHERE TO

Network

Shows are a brilliant place to get some CPD done with a side of some solid networking. Take the OT Show for example: they provide the opportunity to get involved in over 100 hours of CPD, and at the same time, offer patrons entry to the Networking Lounge. Many events provide you access to a specific area, time, or event where it’s encouraged to mingle with your fellow occupational therapists in order to make some professional connections. These networking areas often are in the immediate vicinity of a bar, so you can imbibe a small libation if you’re in need of some Dutch courage before you head over and start speaking to people. These areas are specifically for people who want to form some professional connections, so don’t feel shy or silly about wanting to go in and have a good chat.

WHAT TO Have

If you’re an independent OT, it’s a great idea to have some business cards made. The connections you make are going to benefit from having a tangible reminder of your meeting, and a simple way to access your details. That’s where getting yourself a business card comes in: it’s an easy way to get all that information into someone’s hands without having to rely on taking down numbers, swapping Twitter handles or misremembering emails. Business cards are actually a fairly cheap expenditure for your company, and they’re about the most useful thing you can have in your arsenal while networking.

WHAT TO Say

We’re not all Oscar Wilde; it’s not easy to just pull out a smart-sounding quip in response to everything someone says to you while you’re networking

The other most useful thing to have in your arsenal is some good chat.

This is a very large expectation from both yourself and us. We’re not all Oscar Wilde; it’s not easy to just pull out a smart-sounding quip in response to everything someone says to you while you’re networking.

Really, the best thing you can do is be nice. Don’t act like you’re trying to sell something or trap someone in the occupational therapy version of a pyramid scheme. People will like you if you’re nice and interesting. This is conversation 101. Be professional, but courteous. Remember to shake hands with people. Look people in the eye when they’re talking to you, if you can. No-one actually likes networking, even if people say they do. You’re just as anxious as everyone else in the room, but the trick is to bury that fear deep down inside you and never, ever let it out.

That sounds extremely unhealthy; it may well be. But you’ll always be that cool, confident person they met at the networking event, so there’s the trade off!

-magazine.co.uk

77

The market leading ‘Sensory in a Suitcase’ just got better!

Introducing the Sensory in a Suitcase II The much loved solution for taking the sensory experience to the user

Sensory in a Suitcase II now £1,299!!!

See website for more details or to order! www.sensoryplus.co.uk

Plus! Over £100 off* using this code: OT-MAG-159

The best portable sensory experience just got even better. Introducing the new Sensory in a Suitcase family from SensoryPlus.

Our newly improved Sensory in a Suitcase II offers the most all encompassing sensory experience and has delighted users and professionals alike for many years. Updated for 2020, Sensory in a Suitcase II provides everything you need for a tailored sensory experience with essential sensory equipment and resources.

Also updated, our Sensory in a Suitcase Senior II now includes all of the latest appropriate sensory technology, including effect projection, aromatherapy and resources designed to provide calming and comfort.

UV in a Suitcase II has been completely redesigned to provide a more compact and portable experience, incorporating new and stimulating UV reactive resources, without losing any of the brightness and vibrancy that it has become well known for, over the years.

Joining our suitcase family are our newest additions; Music in a Suitcase and our very latest product, Sensory Garden in a Suitcase.

Music in a Suitcase provides a variety of musical instruments and resources, designed to engage, provide interaction and improve co-ordination skills.

Sensory Garden in Suitcase provides a range of outdoor suitable sensory products, ranging from lighting, coloured fabrics and streamers, spinners, windmills, musical instruments and so much more. Take your sensory experience outside without the need for a comprehensive outdoor sensory environment.

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Music £295.00 Garden £695.00

Battle TO Save Mildmay THE

Mildmay, the capital’s only specialist HIV/AIDS hospital, faces closure, despite the incredible work they do

M

ildmay is battling to save itself from closure, brought on by NHS funding pressures which would leave London’s only specialist HIV/AIDS hospital forced to close its doors as quickly as April of this year.

“It is an entirely false economy to close this hospital and force patients into other parts of the NHS without the same medical specialism. We are calling on the Health Secretary Matt Hancock to intervene and save Mildmay before it is too late.”

The hospital is a charity, so without NHS funding, they would “simply have to close,” meaning Londoners who live with HIV, AIDS, or HIVassociated neurocognitive disorder will be without the highly skilled doctors, nurses and OTs who provide them with specialist treatment. The current £5m running costs which are provided by the NHS, and represent a tiny fraction of the NHS’s overall budget, and means that patients are not “blocking beds” in London’s other extremely busy NHS hospitals.

The hospital was made famous when Princess Diana visited in the 1980s, where she was photographed speaking with patients and shaking their hands without wearing surgical gloves. Prince Harry would later open Mildmay’s new building in 2015.

Dr Camilla Hawkins, who was featured in our November/ December 2019 issue, where we highlighted some of the incredible work she does as the facility’s lead

occupational therapist as part of the brilliant team at Mildmay, tweeted: “Realise I’m biased, but I genuinely believe that some people living with HIV and HAND would experience lower quality of life and a lower level of independence if the Ax and rehab services [at] Mildmay did not exist.

These services aren’t needed by all [people living with HIV] but are vital for those who do.”

To help save the hospital which has been making incredible leaps and bounds in the realm of HIV and AIDS rehab and care for the last 35 years, you can donate directly to the hospital at mildmay.org, or sign their change.org petition, which can be found on the hospital’s website.

Geoff Coleman, CEO at Mildmay, said: “Frustrated doctors across London have already come out in support of Mildmay, saying that if the hospital closes, hundreds of NHS patients will suffer. Overburdened NHS services just do not have the capacity to manage yet another group of patients with a chronic long-term condition such as HIV.” MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara Ali agreed, saying: “Ministers must step in to save Mildmay Mission Hospital. Mildmay provides a vital specialist service for patients living with HIV. It would take £5m a year to keep Mildmay open, which is a tiny slice of the NHS budget.

These services aren’t needed by all [people living with HIV] but are vital for those who do -magazine.co.uk

79

Kidz to Adultz South 2020 Free event organised by Disabled Living

Dedicated To Inspiring Business Growth And A Sustainable Social Care Model

17 & 18 MARCH

2020

Inspiring A New Era Of Domiciliary Care

NEC · BIRMINGHAM

Europe’s Leading Event For Brain And Spine Experts

LONDON 2020

300 Thursday 7th May 2020, 9.30am - 4.30pm Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, GU14 6FD Visit: www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk

SEMINARS

600 EXHIBITORS

Dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their parents, carers and the professionals who support them.

EXPERT-LED WORKSHOPS

EXCLUSIVE MASTERCLASSES

140+ Exhibitors

CPD Seminars

Fun & Features

REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS

FREE Parking AS PART OF:

Kidz to Adultz is a trademark registered to Disabled Living

Charity no: 224742

Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk

Tel: 0161 607 8200

FOR EXHIBITING ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT JAMES.WILLIAMS@ROARTECHMEDIA.COM OR CALL 0117 990 2109

MEDIWEEK www.mediweek.co.uk

OTAC Events 2020 ®

OTAC Leeds

Visit an OTAC Event in 2020

22nd April

Weetwood Hall Estate

OTAC Exeter

13th May

The Jockey Club - Exeter Racecourse

®

OTAC presents exciting events that showcase the latest equipment and adaptation guidance as well as: CPD opportunities

OTAC Cambridge Hallmark Hotel

17th June

OTAC Southampton Hilton at the Ageas Bowl

New products

9th Sept

OTAC Reading Hilton Hotel

8th July

OTAC Newcastle

21st October

Newcastle United Football Stadium

Over 40 exhibitors per event Networking Training including Moving and Handling by Handicare FREE lunch and refreshments available all day!

#UKOTAC20

OTAC Kent

4th November

Salomons Estate

Please visit the OTAC website for more info.

OTAC Chester

9th December

Hallmark Hotel - The Queen

Proudly Sponsored by:

To book your FREE tickets visit our website or email sally@promoting-independence.co.uk For more information on exhibiting please contact karen@promoting-independence.co.uk

Media Partner:

www.otac.org.uk

Yourevents

Heading IN THIS here ISSUE

we bring you this year’s round-up of events taking place in the OT calendar.

If you have, or know of, an event please email it into enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk

17-18 MAR

Naidex NEC, Birmingham The UK’s largest disability event, you will find hundreds of exhibitors all under one roof. They have a dedicated OT seminar programme and the opportunity to network, learn and discover new innovations, and hear disabled people talk about issues important to them. naidex.co.uk 17-18 MAR

Dementia Care and Nursing Home Expo NEC, Birmingham Ideal for anyone working in social care settings.

This show boasts over 100 seminars and 50 masterclasses all designed to help you expand, evolve and innovate your social care business. carehomeexpo.co.uk 17-18 MAR

European Neuro Convention NEC, Birmingham This is Europe’s only trade event for brain and spine experts. It has CPD-accredited presentations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and the latest innovations in the medical arena on display. neuroconvention.com 17-18 MAR

Future Health ExCel, London Future Health is a unique and dynamic event for the global healthcare industry.

This international world class exhibition and conference is an annual showcase of innovative healthcare products and solutions. futurehealth.global

22 APR

OTAC Leeds Weetwood Hall Estate and Conference Centre The UK’s only Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference (OTAC). Free to attend and packed full of seminars, networking opportunities and a chance to speak to experts showcasing relevant products and services. otac.org.uk 24-25 APR

BAPO Ricoh Arena, Coventry BAPO holds the UK’s largest annual conference for professionals working in the prosthetics and orthotics arena. They host a clinical programme, an exhibition and have a call for papers to be submitted too. bapo.com 7 MAY

Kidz to Adultz South Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre Dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities. This show offers free CPD-accredited seminars and a large exhibition of companies showcasing independent living products and services to help young disabled people. kidzexhibitions.co.uk 24-25 JUN

Residential and Home Care Show ExCel, London The show boasts a wealth of information and ideas on the healthcare industry all under one roof. It will cover major social care topics, including integrated care, safeguarding, raising quality, dementia, CQC ratings and much more. residentialandhomecareshow.co.uk

-magazine.co.uk

81

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