The OT Magazine – May / Jun 2022

THE

MAGAZINE Issue 46 | May/Jun 22 | Improving Independence

Addressing Sexuality Exploring the importance of sexuality as a meaningful occupation and an OT’s role in addressing this

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About us

The Team

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Katie Campbell Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine Production: Donna Deakin Sales: Danny McGonigle Contributors: Kate Sheehan, Susie Lowden, Camilla Hawkins, Fiona Dexter, Evelyn Assiak, Maia Fergus-O’Grady, Dr Sandie Woods

Get in touch 2A Publishing, 20-23 Woodside Place, Glasgow, G3 7QL 0141 465 2960 ot-magazine.co.uk The OT Magazine @ot_magazine enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk

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 2022 © 2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN-2056-7146

This month’s issue...

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recently attended an online webinar through the Naidex digital series that focused on an occupational therapist’s role when addressing sexuality with a client. It is not a topic that is readily discussed within the community, but it is a meaningful occupation and can impact the wellbeing of individuals in a very real way. The discussion around this topic showed the importance of creating an open and nonjudgemental space for clients to broach this sensitive subject with their OTs and offered some great considerations for OTs when addressing sexuality with clients. Read more on page 15.

Reading is not just an enjoyable pastime that children and adults can indulge in, it can also be applied in a therapeutic manner. Bibliotherapy is essentially the practice of reading for therapeutic purposes, prescribing books that will help individuals through life-changing moments, from becoming a parent or recovering from illness, to losing a loved one or changing career. You can find out more about this practice on page 26.

We also dive into children’s literature and highlight the importance of representation of disabled characters in these books on page 55.

This issue also covers how to achieve a work-life balance, how to help your clients plan for travel, a great career service dedicated to disabled candidates, and much more. As always we love to hear about all the projects you are working on and encourage you to share your role with us, so please get in touch by emailing ros@2apublishing.co.uk and you could find your story in the next issue.

The OT Magazine, Editor

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

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What’s inside 07 What’s New

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

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13 Do Words Matter?

Kate Sheehan discusses what not to say in verbal or written reports

15 Addressing

Sexuality

What is the role of an OT when it comes to sexuality and intimacy?

22 19 Product Focus The latest must-have products on the market

22 Making a

Difference

Susan Lowden explains the positive impact OTs can have on patients in palliative care

25 Day in the Life Camilla Hawkins is the lead OT at Mildmay Hospital, where she works with people who are living with HIV

26 The Power of Words Exploring the practice of bibliotherapy 4

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28 Home First A successful pilot within the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust

32 Chasing

Equilibrium

Finding the right work-life balance for you

35 Product Focus More of the latest must-have products

39 On Your Bike For the first time, a UK company is mass-producing a bike designed for people living with dwarfism

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40 Stepping Up Taking on leadership roles can be daunting, but that doesn’t mean it’s not for you

Product

Focus 35

44 Travel Plans Supporting your clients as they plan a well-deserved holiday

48 Supporting OT

Students Through the Pandemic

Dr Sandie Woods evaluates the role of the personal tutor in education

55 Stories for All The importance of representation and inclusion in literature

58 Paediatric Products Innovative products for younger clients

60 Making OT Known Advocating for OT through the medium of creativity

64 Events Calendar Essential dates for your diary

65 Evenbreak’s

Career Hive

The career service dedicated to disabled candidates -magazine.co.uk

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Free Assessments Free Training National Coverage Expert Local Support Individual-based solutions

Thousands of products in stock with short lead times too!

033 012 80808 sales@careandindependence.com www.careandindependence.com TM

Bathing R an e

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

What’s new?

NRS HEALTHCARE

LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE STORE Nottingham-based provider of independent living aids and associated services, NRS Healthcare, has launched a brand-new website, Healthcare Pro, to serve both healthcare professionals and the general public.

Healthcare Pro, which previously went by the company’s own name, offers a wide variety of independent living aids, alongside a range of consultation services and advice, which supports customers and provides additional peace of mind in line with their “right first time” approach to ensuring customers purchase the daily living aids that are most suitable for their needs in the first instance. Public sector and clinical services are unaffected by

the change, and will still be available from NRSHealthcare.com.

Georgia, who lives with cerebral palsy, has been using her blog, Not So Terrible Palsy, to chronicle

Visit HealthcarePro.co.uk for more information.

Rachel Seabrook, clinical services director, said: “NRS Healthcare is delighted to announce the launch of our new online store, Healthcare Pro. Through our 75-year heritage and position as an official supplier to the NHS, NRS Healthcare has a longstanding reputation as a trusted partner for healthcare professionals, who often recommend our website and products to the people they see.

“Healthcare Pro focuses on our high levels of expertise, credibility and professionalism, improves the customer journey and shopping experience, as well as providing easy access to product advice, support

OT LANDS PUBLISHING CONTRACT Georgia Vine - an award-winning blogger, Disability Power 100 rising star and newly qualified occupational therapist - has announced that she will be writing a book about ableism in occupational therapy practice.

and associated services. We trust that this will give all our customers the added reassurance that they are shopping where the professionals shop.”

It’s such a privilege as a disabled occupational therapist to have this opportunity to dismantle ableism in practice through my book”

life and studies since 2019, and uses her blog to bridge the gap between her personal and professional experiences of occupational therapy. Her book will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, whose publications promote diversity by giving a platform to authors who have lived experiences of the

topics about which they write, which makes Georgia an ideal fit.

Speaking to The OT Magazine, Georgia said: “It’s such a privilege as a disabled occupational therapist to have this opportunity to dismantle ableism in practice through my book. I have so many ideas and I’m loving every moment of this journey.

Thank you for believing in me!”

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RCOT ANNOUNCES ITS LIBRARY IS GOING DIGITAL

The Royal College of Occupational therapists announced that its physical library and information service will remain closed, completing its transition into a digital

space.

The library was closed in March 2020 in response to the global pandemic, which saw many buildings shutter their doors. After

Wales pledges to become “Age Friendly” with £1.1m investment The Welsh Government has made £1.1 million available to local authorities to strengthen support for older people across the country, pledging to improve public services and spaces, and reduce loneliness through volunteering and encouraging people to connect with their communities, among other things.

The money will be used to help older people become more digitally confident, support businesses in retraining, retaining and recruiting older people, improving bus infrastructures, and addressing fuel poverty and energy efficiency.

Deputy minister for social services, Julie Morgan said: “We want to create a Wales where everyone looks forward to growing older and age is celebrated. Our vision is for an age friendly Wales that supports people of all ages to live and age

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well. Too often getting older is linked to illness and decline and older people’s contributions to society are overlooked.

“From making sure housing supports people to age well, to creating opportunities to keep healthy and active, this plan outlines how we will work across government and with key partners, including the Older People’s Commissioner, to reject ageism and realise our vision of an age friendly Wales.”

Victoria Lloyd, chief executive at Age Cymru, added: “Older people are facing unprecedented challenges right now. Many have been struggling to make ends meet for several years but the challenge has risen to frightening levels this year with rising fuel bills and household expenses.

“This comes on top of the challenges of anxiety, isolation, and

OTs noted in RCOT’s 2019/20 library survey that they would like better access to more digital resources, the decision was made this year to keep the physical library closed, but maintain a 24/7 online resource that is widely available to OTs. OTs with access to the library are able to access it at any time and from anywhere in the world, and access a wide assortment of online journals, articles, e-books, PhD dissertations, and much more.

While the library space in RCOT’s London headquarters is now closed, the library’s support team are still on-hand to offer help and support during normal working hours. RCOT is currently looking to rehome much of its physical collection, but are keeping a reserve of materials which they hope to digitise and make available online soon.

emotional health that many older people have faced over the last two years through the pandemic and associated lockdowns.

“There is much to do in creating an age friendly Wales and the plan is rightly broad in scope. Action to tackle poverty and the crippling affects it has on older people’s lives and measures to increase awareness of human rights amongst all of us so that older people can live a life of dignity and one of their own choosing are priorities.

“We are keen to work with the Welsh Government to realise their age friendly ambition for Wales.”

120,000 people issued with the devices, which allows patients to receive direct support from the NHS through email or phone, which provides direct contact to their clinician.

PATIENTS LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S RECEIVE LIFE-CHANGING SMART WATCHES The NHS has undertaken a pioneering project, which has seen hundreds of patients issued with cutting-edge smart watches containing sensors - known as Parkinson’s Kinetigraphs (PKG) which can be used to monitor patients at home.

Information collected by the PKGs can be read by healthcare

professionals, who will examine the data for signs of improving life quality, or recommend interventions if something is seen not to be working or progressing as desired.

The smart watch also notifies the user when it’s time to take their medication, which they can confirm as done on the device.

The scheme is hoping to see around

Interactive health app transforms Scottish communities A Dundee-based games studio has designed an app to help improve independent living, which will be rolled out as part of a programme to improve lives in three Scottish communities.

The MyLife app, designed by Hyper Luminal, takes a new approach to healthy living, and rewards the player for making healthy lifestyle choices. It is now being rolled out as part of Scottish housing specialist Blackwood’s £1.25m Peoplehood project, which aims to create accessible and affordable homes that are suitable for older people, while simultaneously supporting social connection by fostering confidence in both using online technologies and sustaining good physical activity.

The three-year initiative hopes to become a lasting blueprint for creating welcoming communities, and will see residents of Charleston (Dundee), Cardonald (Glasgow), and Buckie (Moray) benefit from free tablets and wi-fi to connect them digitally. The MyLife app allows the user to keep abreast of local events, and will provide them with reallife rewards, such as the use of an electric car or e-bike, as a reward for doing tasks like washing dishes or speaking to a neighbour, while taking into account the user’s medical,

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “Parkinson’s is an incurable illness that has a significant impact on peoples’ lives and this small watch will dramatically improve their quality of life – providing a thorough review of their health and ensuring they get the care they need from the comfort of their own homes.

“Not only is it better for these people living with Parkinson’s, but it is also more efficient for the NHS – freeing up space and time in hospitals for our hard-working staff.

“The cutting edge device is the latest in a long line of world-leading innovations that the NHS is bringing to the frontline as part of our NHS Long Term Plan commitment to use the most advanced technology possible for our patients.” health and mobility needs.

Speaking to Deadline, Fanchea Kelly, chief executive of Blackwood, said: “MyLife will get to know a resident’s daily schedule and can suggest tasks or activities which encourage mobility.

“Blackwood credits can also be earned from community engagement or interaction, for example doing a neighbour’s shopping or taking part in a dance class. Those credits can be used in a variety of ways such as the free use of a community e-car or getting their garden done for free.

“The avatar will be a friendly personal assistant but it is also designed to be a gateway to making new friends and a portal to allow residents to connect with other individuals.

“MyLife will be mindful of a person’s individual health circumstances such as mobility and mental health, and it can be enhanced by input from a person’s care provider or family member.”

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WELSH CES DONATES ESSENTIALS TO HELP IN UKRAINE Cefndy-Medequip, a community equipment provider for Gwent, has stepped in to help support their local community with a drive for donations to help people affected by the invasion of Ukraine.

Community group The Women of Newport had sourced a huge collection of food, clothes, nappies, medicine, and medical equipment donated by their local NHS Trust, but while they were able to source an HGV to transport the goods to a refugee centre in Poland, they needed assistance in the sorting and moving of the donations to a

storage facility that the HGV could access.

That’s where CefndyMedequip stepped in: they offered use of the company’s vans and depot, and staff volunteered their evenings and weekends to help load the donations onto palettes that could then be transported to Poland.

Manager Ben Giddings said: “Our role is to provide equipment on loan to the people of Gwent to help them stay independent in their own homes for longer. Community engagement and co-production

are vital aspects of the work we do.

Our people wanted to make a real contribution to the great work being done by The Women of Newport, and we could do this by offering our people and our fleet of vehicles.

“It was a massive team effort, with Cefndy-Medequip staff pitching in all weekend and evenings as well as during working hours to help clear the backlog. The shipment is now on its way to Poland, and we’re very proud to have been able to play a part in the project. We’re looking forward to continuing our involvement in the near future!”

COTS 2022 The Care & Occupational Therapy Show, which is taking place at Westpoint Arena in Exeter on 21 June, is the one-stop-shop for care and occupational therapy managers who want to save time on research and development by browsing new products, services, and learning from industry experts all in one day.

It is the largest event of its kind in

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the southwest and boasts keynote speakers including: George Appleton of Care England, Laura Mundy of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and Dr Neil Bindemann of the Community Therapists Network.

We will be partnering with the show for the first time and supporting the exhibitors, sponsors and speakers, all of whom want to share their

knowledge and passion for the care and occupational therapy industries.

All seminars and keynote sessions are fully CPD accredited, which means you will earn professional development qualifications as a result of attending.

You can activate your complimentary ticket now by registering at careexhbition.co.uk.

healthcarepro.co.uk

Welcome to Healthcare Pro YOUR NEW ONLINE STORE FROM NRS HEALTHCARE IS NOW OPEN Shop over 4,500 independent living aids, from personal care to bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and mobility, chosen and trusted by professionals to help make everyday tasks safer and more manageable for your clients.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION 0345 121 8111 | customerservice@healthcarepro.co.uk | healthcarepro.co.uk

Kate Sheehan Director, The OT Service

The OT Service provides high quality advice, consultancy and training to manufacturers, retailers and service providers. It also provides occupational therapy clinical services in housing and equipment to case managers, solicitors and private individuals via its handpicked network of occupational therapists.

For more info email kate@theotservice.co.uk

DO WORDS MATTER? D

uring a recent conversation with a long-standing colleague, Dr Ruth Parker, we ended up discussing language used in reports, both verbal and written. We are both involved in reviewing documents daily or listening to colleagues’ feedback on their casework and are concerned about the use of certain words or phrases that can have a negative or condescending impact on our clients.

Although we are often assessing and observing difficulties a person has, we should always phrase our reports more positively, expressing clearly what a client can do. For example: “Mrs Jones can independently walk around her home, but she needs a manual wheelchair for longer distances due to fatigue and poor balance, and is supported to use this by a family member or carer.”

Or, for a child: “David can put his shoes on independently; he requires the assistance of a carer to tie his shoelaces.”

I have highlighted some of the words and phrases that, in my opinion, we should not be using in either verbal or written reports.

Nice, charming, good, lovely – these are subjective descriptions of a person and add nothing to a clinical report or give its reader clear information on a person. One person’s “lovely” person could be “grumpy” to another, it is therefore a meaningless descriptor.

Fits – people have seizures. These need to be documented by how the

client or their carer described them and the impact on their daily life.

Deaf, blind – this is describing the impairment not the impact. We should write or talk about sensory impairments and the impacts they have on the clients’ chosen goals; someone is not defined by their medical diagnosis and should never be referred to by it.

Bed bound or confined to a bed – a person may spend a significant portion of their time in a bed, but they are not bound or confined to only being in that bed, as there are always solutions to provide alternative options to being in bed.

We may need to say that a client has no alternative options at present to not spend significant amounts of time in bed, or the client prefers to or chooses to be in bed as they feel comfortable and safe there.

Wheelchair bound or confined to a wheelchair – again, a person is not confined or bound to their wheelchair. A wheelchair offers freedom, independence, empowerment, confidence, and choice, especially if it is the right one to meet their needs. In reports we need to indicate how the wheelchair supports function, choice, and control.

Nappies – this term should only be used for children under four; above this age you should use the term continence pads and describe the impact of the client’s incontinence on their function.

understand that some of our clients’ needs may be, but they need what we all need, which is to be able to carry out daily tasks to eat, to sleep, to live, to thrive, to engage in society.

And finally, one on a more generic subject, which frustrates me daily - a hotel bedroom, a toilet, or a parking bay is not disabled, it is accessible.

This is not a finite list and there should be a greater debate about what is acceptable, and a discussion with our clients on whether our use of words is acceptable to them, as ultimately the report is about them and their chosen goals.

...someone is not defined by their medical diagnosis and should never be referred to by it

Special needs – we need to

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The Clinician’s Seating Handbook New Edition

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The tried and tested clinical seating bible for Occupational Therapists has been updated and is now available to download or request a print copy.

“The Clinician’s Seating Handbook

is really great, I look at it every day! If you subscribe, Seating Matters also send interesting email updates and if you have any further queries they reply really quickly via email. Hope you find it as useful as I have” Ellie / Senior OT / Northeast England

Contact us for a FREE Seating Assessment T 028 7776 6624 or contact@seatingmatters.com

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Addressing Sexuality What is an OTs role in addressing sexuality and intimacy?

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exuality encompasses more than just sexual function. Sexuality covers sexual expression, sexual preference, sexual activity, sexual identity and sexual decisions. Intimacy is also an important aspect of life that, as human beings, we crave. Sexuality and intimacy are considered meaningful occupations and can have a major impact on an individual’s emotional wellbeing, and occupational therapists are perfectly situated to address sexuality and intimacy with those they are working with.

However, as a profession, is there enough being done to address the needs of clients in this area? Is there enough being done to open the lines of communication with clients to ensure them that you can offer a safe space to discuss the topic of sexuality? As occupational therapists do you feel educated enough in the area of sexuality to comfortably and professionally address this with your clients, even at the most basic level?

do you feel educated enough in the area of sexuality to comfortably and professionally address this with your clients, even at the most basic level?

INITIATING CONVERSATION Talking about sex has always been seen as a taboo subject, and it is especially sensitive when discussing challenges around sexual function, whether this be due to disability, illness, injury, mental health or other life changes. Every individual’s need for sexual activity and intimacy will be different and as OTs you must be able to understand the varying needs of your clients and be able to support and advise them accordingly.

Many of the clients you work with may not know who they should address sexual concerns with, so by opening up a line of communication you are letting them know that they can discuss concerns with you as their occupational therapist, which is the first step.

Jessica Si is an New York-based occupational therapist who works in an outpatient facility. She received a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the New York University and her doctoral work was focused on sexuality and occupational therapy. She has since set up a website dedicated to sharing resources and educating OTs on how to address sexuality and intimacy with clients. The website, ots-letstalkaboutsex.com, covers everything from how to integrate sexuality into the practice of occupational therapy, to the lingo for sex toys and devices and how they should be used.

Jessica recently hosted a webinar for Naidex and discussed the importance of OTs addressing sexuality 15

in their practice, and presented clear paths that would allow OTs to address this professionally and sensitively.

She advocated the PLISSIT model which outlines four increasing levels of intervention: 1 Permission - where the practitioner provides a safe and comfortable environment for their clients to bring up sexual health concerns 2 Limited Information - where practitioners discuss normal and abnormal sexual functioning information in relation to the client’s identified concerns 3 Specific Suggestion - where practitioners begin to provide recommendations that will help with client’s specific issue(s) with sexual functioning 4 Intensive Therapy - where a referral is made to a sexual health specialist, such as a sex therapist, which can provide the client with more comprehensive support and guidance Taylor and Davis (2007) acknowledge that: “As the level of intervention increases, greater knowledge, training and skills are required, therefore, it is recognised that not all healthcare practitioners are expected to be competent and operative at all levels, but at a minimum a practitioner should be able to provide services at the fundamental level of “Permission”.”

A SAFE SPACE Creating an environment where your client feels comfortable and safe to discuss sexuality and intimacy is the most important thing, and you can do this by simply displaying posters or information in your work area about sexuality. You can also include questions in your ADL assessments, or in goal-setting sessions, because it is an activity of daily living and should be treated as such.

If it is important to your client, then it should be a focus of your occupational therapy sessions.

Jessica draws on the BETTER Model, a model that was created to help oncology nurses in addressing the topic of sexuality with their patients. It is an effective model to refer to when looking at how you can appropriately broach the subject of sexuality with your clients.

BRING UP Bring up the topic of sexuality with your clients when discussing other issues regarding ADLs. This helps give clients assurance that sexual concerns are acceptable to discuss.

EXPLAIN Explain that sexuality is a normal part of daily living and that you are concerned with quality of life including sexuality. This normalises the topic and helps clients feel more comfortable to talk about any concerns they may have.

TELL Tell the client that you are prepared to offer resources and are able to find additional appropriate resources if you are not able to address all their questions or concerns.

TIMING Recognise that a client may want to talk about sexual function issues at any time. The timing may not seem appropriate now, but clients should be assured that they can ask for information at any time.

EDUCATE Educate the client on potential changes that they may experience in sexual function as a result of their diagnosis and/or treatment.

RECORD Record the assessment and interventions that you utilised in the client’s medical records.

Being able to normalise the conversation around sexuality and intimacy with your clients will help to increase their physical and emotional wellbeing. There are many resources out there to assist you in addressing sexuality and to help signpost clients to the right services. You do not have to know all the answers, but you must ensure you are open to supporting your client to achieve the goals that are important to them and that will improve their quality of life.

Find out more at ots-letstalkaboutsex.com.

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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 clients

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THE GLOVETM EXTENSOR

The GLOVETM Extensor from Care & Independence is a general transfer sling that’s great for users with extensor spasm and excessive movements. Featuring a unique ‘suspension’ innovation, the sling moves with the spasm before returning to original position.

Available in six sizes, it supports a SWL of 200kg. careandindependence.com 033 012 80808 2

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MR4 MEMRABEL ALARM CLOCK

The MR4 MemRabel is a memory prompting alarm clock that allows users to set reminder alarms for single, daily, weekly, monthly, or annual playback. Up to 25 alarms can be created and at alarm time, a pre-alarm tone is played followed by a display of the chosen reminder picture with a text heading. It can also connect to WiFi to display local weather, outdoor temperature, and automatic seasonal time adjustments. Time displays can be changed to suit cognitive ability. easylinkuk.co.uk | 01536 264 869

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BUTTON HOOK ZIPPER

Dressing is an important activity of daily living, and something that most clients would want to be able to do unaided. However, many items of clothing have fiddly buttons and zips to use, which can be very difficult for anyone is struggling with dexterity in their hands. This handy little tool hooks buttons to pull them through and hooks onto zips to pull them up. manageathome.co.uk | 0808 164 0684 4

Q500 F SEDEO PRO POWER WHEELCHAIR

The Q500 F Sedeo Pro Power Wheelchair is a robust powerchair with good manoeuvrability and great range for outdoor travel. The seat to floor height is low, allowing for easy access into WAVs and when sitting at tables. It is highly flexible and fully adjustable to ensure the correct positioning for comfort and health. It is available in a range of colours and is customisable too. healthcarepro.co.uk | 0345 121 8111 5

RELIEFBAND

This wristband is designed to naturally help relieve the feeling of nausea or vomiting. This discreet, wearable device works by sending a specific pattern of pulses that stimulate the median nerve under the skin, these pulses send a message to the part of the brain that controls nausea and should help relieve these feelings. Great for anyone experiencing this from travel sickness, anxiety, chemotherapy, medication and more. reliefband.co.uk | 0800 702 2902

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LET’S GO OUT ROLLATOR

This stylish looking rollator is ideal for any clients who need a little support when going out and about. It glides easily and has large front wheels to help tackle kerbs and bumps easily, it also has a leather-look seat that looks great and offers support when needed. It can be folded up neatly when not in use and will stand alone when folded too.

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LIVIVO GARDEN KNEELER

As we come into the nicer weather, many of your clients may want to get out in their garden to do some weeding and planting. This is not always the most comfortable or accessible task, as most of the activities involve kneeling on the ground or bending down for prolonged periods of time. A garden kneeler is the ideal product to help support with this activity, offering a soft kneeling cushion and pockets to store gardening tools.

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AROMAHOME TIME OUT DIFFUSER

This electric diffuser is designed to be used with the essential oils of your choice to aid a calming environment. It features an attractive ceramic cover to conceal the water chamber and LED lighting to emit a soft glow. Once the essential oil is chosen and added, the electronic diffuser will mist for up to two hours. oliverbonas.com

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Susie Lowden discusses the positive impact an occupational therapist can bring to patients and their loved ones under hospice care

“T

hat must be really depressing.” I hear this a lot, people think working in a hospice is going to be sad and upsetting, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I started off my career several years ago, as many do in a hospital, rotating through the various wards and departments to get a rounded experience of OT life.

To further my knowledge base, I then spent some time working within a mental health setting, which helped me understand the cognitive challenges our patients face as well as the physical. This set me up nicely for a role in social services which I found myself in for a decade.

I loved how varied and different each day could be, with each client bringing their own set of problems and difficulties to solve.

It was during this time that I had my first encounter 22

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with what I would consider an ‘end of life’ experience.

This was a brand-new experience for me, and I spent several hours working with the family with practical tasks, moving furniture, getting a profiling bed in place and making the patient comfortable. I ended that working day feeling like I’d made an immediate and significant impact on that patient and their loved ones’ lives.

At the end of that day, I went home and looked up palliative care jobs. That was the beginning of a whole new chapter in my career.

AN OT’S ROLE IN A HOSPICE I’d never stepped foot in a hospice myself; I’d always assumed it was a place where people go to die. I didn’t think there would be a role for an OT in this setting.

I was lucky that I had a cousin who was a physiotherapist working in hospice care, so spent many hours on the phone to her trying to understand the role of allied health professionals in hospices. I learned that hospice care is not just the last few days or weeks of life, but rather it is also about working with the patient over months to help them with symptoms, house preparations and supporting families in a fully holistic way.

behind, but what does a “positive death” look like?

HOSPICE IN THE WEALD

We have probably all experienced bereavement in some form, and often our memories go back to the last few months with loved ones. OTs can enable people to create memories and enjoy their time together, allow wives to be wives and husbands to be husbands rather than just a carer patient relationship. We can help make transfers easier so they can still go out, or at least sit out of bed and enjoy their gardens. I remember one patient I visited was staying on our in-patient ward, she was in bed due to a pathological fracture of her femur, but we managed to to get her out of bed using a Sara Stedy transfer aid. When looking at discharge planning, the family talked about how much they loved going to the beach, but it wouldn’t be possible to get their mum in the car. We ordered an Ambiturn transfer aid and then worked with the patient and her husband to practice this transfer whilst putting no weight through her affected leg. It worked well and within a few weeks we had a letter to tell us about all the lovely trips they had been on!

I started working at the Hospice in the Weald over six years ago and I work with some of the most amazing and kind-hearted people. The hospice cares for patients in the last year of life, and their loved ones, across our In-Patient Ward, Living Well Service, Hospice Outreach Service (seeing patients in their own homes), Counselling and Support, and Cottage Hospice (a pioneering service to support patients and their carers to die in a more supported location which feels like a home from home).

We will also launch our first service for children in 2022.

The occupational therapy team covers all services at the hospice, which does mean a lot of travel across the large catchment area, but also brings with it a great deal of variety. We see patients at all stages of their time under the hospice - we could be providing simple equipment to enable someone to continue bathing or assist with toileting; we might be helping them to manage their fatigue; or we might be seeing people through to end of life care when we could be providing hospital beds and complex moving and handling equipment. Our days need to be flexible and can be unpredictable. People’s needs can change quickly, and rapid assessment and provision can have a big impact on the type of death someone has.

Since working at the hospice, I have seen firsthand how a “positive death” can have such a big impact on the patient themselves, but also the family and friends left

Of course, patients want to be free from pain so working with them using medication, looking at positioning and complementary therapies, are all things the hospice can offer to ensure they are comfortable. It is important to support patients and those important to them with coming to terms with their diagnosis, preparing them for potential changes and deterioration, and to support them emotionally and spiritually.

I know a lot of people panic at the mention of referral to a hospice, because of common misconceptions about what we do. A hospice can help a family to navigate the many health professionals involved, help to manage the symptoms that people may experience, and ensure that people are supported in making the right choices for them. Occupational therapists play an integral part of people’s hospice experience, and make a real difference to people and families at the end of life.

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lla Cami ins Hawkthe lead

A day inf. .

la is t at Camil erapis h t l a ation where occup pital, s o H ay ple h peo Mildm it w s ork HIV. she w g with in iv l e r who a

What is your current role?

I am the lead occupational therapist at Mildmay Hospital. The unit opened in 1988, initially primarily as a hospice service, but over time, and with improved medical management (most notably the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy), it has evolved to its current work as a service providing assessment and rehabilitation.

In early 2020, we also developed a new pathway, offering a service to people who were homeless. This pathway included a number of beds for people needing to complete COVID isolation who were homeless or in accommodation where they could not safely isolate.

Our next development is to provide step-down beds for people who have completed a substance use detox programme.

I work within a multidisciplinary team of nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals providing assessment and rehabilitation. I consider physical, psychological and cognitive elements, and their impact upon participation in activities and routines that are important and meaningful to the individual. In common with my MDT colleagues I also key-work a number

o e f i l e h t Camilla s n i k w a H

Each month ..

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

of people, coordinating aspects of their admission and associated processes as well as providing occupational therapy input to them if required.

even being admitted to the unit.

People are often concerned about reactions of others, including unfortunately health and social care staff.

Describe a typical day...

They may also self-stigmatise, which can affect many aspects of their lives.

I tend to have a mixture of sessions that are timetabled in advance, and ad-hoc sessions, enabling me to meet with people perhaps newly admitted, or for whom new needs in relation to occupational therapy have arisen. There needs to be flexibility, and a ‘plan B’ can be useful! There will always be time allocated to administration, including contributing to MDT reports, community referrals, perhaps a home visit assessment report, or a discharge planning meeting. The majority of the MDT are sole practitioners so it is important to work as a team, know each other’s unique contribution, and where your work fits in – as well as the value of it.

What’s the hardest part of your role?

Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination often continue to affect people living with HIV. Sometimes this will stop people

What’s the best part of your role?

The best part of my job is the opportunity to work with a variety of individuals, and within a supportive and skilled team.

The changing nature of needs for people living with HIV, which continues to evolve, has maintained my desire to work within this field.

I value the fact that occupational therapy is a dual trained profession, and that we are able to assess needs, barriers to participation from a variety of perspectives.

A substantial part of my role is assessing the impact of cognitive impairment upon function. I value the opportunities to learn from the lived experience of those I work with as well as using as many opportunities as possible to share information regarding occupational therapy in this setting.

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The Power of Words We explore the practice of bibliotherapy

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he practice of bibliotherapy can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks who believed that reading had healing qualities for the soul. The term “bibliotherapy” was coined in the 20th century and this word comes from the Ancient Greek for book and healing.

Bibliotherapy is fundamentally the use of reading as a therapeutic process and it has been used across the decades in various different formats. Sigmund Freud is known to have used literature in his psychoanalysis sessions; soldiers returning home from the First World War were prescribed reading materials and librarians in America were given training on what books to recommend to war veterans. You can also find anecdotes about Jane Austen’s novels being used in a bibliotherapeutic format with British soldiers.

Bibliotherapy has evolved over the years and you will find it being used in a wide variety of settings alongside formal therapeutic practices. It is often applied to people living with mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, people living with substance addiction, people experiencing emotional distress from trauma or grief, and also in prison settings or dementia care settings. It can be used in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis, and it is something that has to be tailored to the individual and their current situation.

Reading a book that you can relate your circumstances or feelings to can help you make sense of what is happening in your own life BENEFITS OF BIBLIOTHERAPY Reading can be a form of escapism, it can transport you to another world where you can forget the difficulties you are facing, but it can also help you face challenging times in your life. Reading a book that you can relate your circumstances or feelings to can help you make sense of what is happening in your own life, whether this is grief, career changes, parenting, living with mental health problems, there will be a relatable book out there.

There has been little research done into the efficacy of bibliotherapy, with most writings on the subject being hypotheses and anecdotal stories. However, there is no denying that different forms of reading therapy have been utilised across the world and across centuries.

Researchers are taking more interest in the impact of reading on our minds and emotional wellbeing, with some studies showing positive effects of bibliotherapy on people living with certain mental illnesses, substance abuse, and among older people living with depression.

A 2011 study that analysed fMRI brain scans showed that the same brain networks come into action when we read about an experience and when we actually experience it in real life. This could suggest that reading can help build resilience and help people more easily process emotions in certain situations.

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APPLYING BIBLIOTHERAPY Guiding the patients you are working with towards positive reading material can go hand in hand with applying occupational therapy. OTs are well-equipped to recognise patients who could benefit from positive, affirming or uplifting reading material, and even though you may not be the most knowledgeable literary agent out there, you will be able to signpost the people you work with to services that can help.

Book Therapy is an online service set up by Bijal Shah.

Bijal is a bibliotherapist, an author, a book curator, freelance journalist, counsellor and avid reader. She recognises the power of words and the impact that books can have on our lives, helping us through family conflicts, bereavement, life changes, childhood anxiety, teenage years, and complicated relationships. Bijal offers bibliotherapy sessions for individuals and couples, helping to guide people towards books that will help them understand feelings and circumstances that they are living with.

Bijal also offers a Bibliotherapy, Literature and Mental Health online course, which is a comprehensive course into the practice of bibliotherapy, it is designed in particular for mental health professionals and those working in a therapeutic setting. The course helps identify how to use bibliotherapy with adults and children, how to apply bibliotherapy in a group or individual setting, and includes core reading recommendations for different mental health and wellbeing issues.

The therapeutic qualities of reading can also be applied to yourself for personal development and growth as an occupational therapist. A journey of reading and self-knowledge can only benefit your career as an occupational therapist. Exploring different genres, expanding your knowledge, and increasing empathy and understanding through books can be an enlightening experience.

Reading is good for the soul and words are a powerful tool, books can equip you for much more than you may have once anticipated.

For more information visit booktherapy.io.

Exploring different genres, expanding your knowledge, and increasing empathy and understanding through books can be an enlightening experience

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HOME FIRST Last year, a new Home First service was piloted within the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust with the aim of discharging patients in a safe and timely manner to allow them to recover in the comfort of their own homes. Fiona Dexter and Evelyn Assiak are two of the OTs involved with the Home First service and here they outline the reasoning behind this service and share the success of the pilot

E

vidence has shown that people recover from physical or mental ill health quicker when they are able to recover in their own familiar environment.

This wealth of evidence shows increased length of stay and delayed discharges are not helpful to an individual and can at times be damaging.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust proposed and piloted the Home First service to provide a service for older people. The similar Discharge to Assess pathway has been utilised in the physical setting of health, but it has not been explored as readily within a mental health setting.

Home First is essentially part of a Discharge to Assess approach, supporting patient flow and providing up to four weeks post discharge occupational therapy intervention to patients on acute later life wards to support earlier and safer discharge.

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Using the Winter Pressures Fund initially, the pilot was set up for three months. Unfortunately, the time taken to recruit staff to be seconded and “backfill” into their substantive posts, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in the pilot not commencing until January 2021 and being extended to five months.

The Home First pilot covered East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex, and spanned the later life, functional, and acute mental health wards.

PURPOSE OF HOME FIRST Home First began by identifying patients on the ward who may benefit from the service and those who could work with the ward OT and staff to complete relevant assessments. The aim was to build rapport with the individual and work with them to identify support needs

and set occupational goals they would like to achieve post discharge. However, some areas of support did not become evident until the individual had returned home.

Additionally, the role involved signposting to other relevant services and community support for the individual and their family and carers as appropriate.

Issues that requiried support on discharge during the pilot were identified and were wide and varied. These included, support getting a cat to the vet, organising laundry, clothes shopping, food shopping, meal planning, activity and hobby planning, equipment, support with banking, medical appointments, social engagements, arranging for plumbers, locksmiths and BT engineer appointments.

OUTCOME MEASURES MoHost (2006) and Reqol 10 (2018) were used as outcome measures along with a patient evaluation.

MoHost data indicated increased participation of service users in activities of daily living. Reqol 10 indicated significant improvements in the majority of participants.

56% of service users reported a clinically significant increase in their quality of life.

The pie chart shows that the satisfaction feedback from patient/carer evaluations were consistently positive and supportive of the service.

Four weeks of Home First input enabled the service to be responsive to issues as they arose, for example, addressing the problem of water leaking through a ceiling in an individual’s home. If this was not addressed quickly and effectively it may have led the discharge to fail due to the stress and anxiety this could have caused for the individual.

CRITERIA Priority for the service was given to patients over 65 years old, living alone and going back to their usual place of residence, who were working with a lead practitioner.

Patients on a ward outside the area could also be accepted onto the Home First caseload and passed to the Home First pilot in their area, if deemed appropriate upon discharge.

STAFFING It was proposed each area taking part would have a fulltime band 6 OT and a band 3 support worker. However, due to the challenges of recruitment and staff being able to be released for secondments, the resources and model varied across localities.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic affected all the wards on the pilot. All the wards taking part had issues with patients and staff contracting the virus. This, on occasion, resulted in the wards being closed to admissions, and discharges being unable to take place.

The pilot was conducted at a time of the NHS being under unprecedented pressures.

The Home First pilot was taken to The OT Show as a Poster Presentation and recently won the Trust’s Positive Practice Award for Innovation

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL SAVINGS The Home First intervention supported 31 discharges over the pilot across three wards. This can be estimated as a total of 625 bed days saved, representing a cost saving of £270,828.

Additionally, lower readmission rates for Home First service users can be evidenced against those who were discharged following the standard route, this shows the success of the service providing the right support at the right time for patients.

FUTURE OF THE SERVICE

Some areas now have substantial funding for the Home First service from varied funding sources. We are proposing a full Home First service across all five later life wards, which could yield a significant cost benefit based on outcomes from our pilot data. The Home First pilot was taken to The OT Show as a Poster Presentation and recently won the Trust’s Positive Practice Award for Innovation.

If you would like to find out more about the Home First service you can contact Fiona Dexter on fiona.dexter@spft.nhs.uk or Evelyn Assiak on evelyn.assiak@spft.nhs.uk.

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MO-VIS LAUNCHES NEW HID GAMING JOYSTICKS mo-vis is delighted to announce the launch of the HID gaming joysticks – the latest addition to its growing portfolio of specialist control systems.

T

here are two HID models available: the Micro and Multi which enable the user to operate computers and game controllers independently despite having very limited muscular strength, which can result in reduced dexterity and movement. The Micro requires a minimum of 8.5 gr of force, while the Multi requires a minimum force of 50 gr and both models can be operated by the hand, fingers or chin.

The HID joysticks have been developed for people with tetraplegia and neuro and muscular diseases as well as other advanced diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS). Both models are a composite human interface device (HID) which means they both contain three HID classes – the HID mouse, HID keyboard and HID joystick. The joysticks connect via USB to a PC, Xbox game console, Android, iOS or any other USB host device that is compatible with HID equipment. This means the user can connect the HID interface directly to the USB port of their game console as long as there is native support. Both models are also compatible with Bluetooth adapters. mo-vis is best known for its proportional drive controls for powerchairs which have been designed for people who need the most sensitive joysticks possible, as well as for people with excessive force and everyone in between. The mo-vis Micro and Multi Joysticks, which are very small proportional joysticks have been designed for people with limited muscle strength and movement.

The All-round (Light) Joystick from mo-vis is a compact version of a standard powerchair joystick which can be placed anywhere the user has easy access to and is suitable for most powerchair users as it can be used as a standard, chin or attendant joystick. Completing the joystick range is the Heavy Duty Joystick which is a large format, hard wearing, proportional joystick designed for

all-round heavy-duty use. This model can be used as a hand or foot operated joystick and is perfect for users who apply excessive force.

For healthcare professionals or carers looking for help with manoeuvring their clients’ powerchair the Scoot Control from mo-vis is ideal. The Scoot Control is a steering device which is compatible with most types of powerchairs and can be connected directly to the wheelchair electronics (R-net), to control the powerchair and its functions such as lights, horn and speed settings.

Battery and speed information is available via LED displays. The Scoot Control is suitable for use indoors and outside.

To complement the joystick range, mo-vis has developed additional devices that can help improve people’s level of mobility. The input controls systems, such as the Twisters, Actuator Keypad and Multi Switch are solutions designed to assist in operating connected devices. Other simple, but practical accessories for people using powerchairs are the Hand Warmer, USB charger and several mounting systems.

The mo-vis products will be exhibited at Naidex in July through several of mo-vis’ UK dealers and distributors, including Baldertech, Permobil, Precision Rehab, Recare and others.

For more information on the full range of joystick controls available from mo-vis, email: contact@mo-vis.com, call +32 9 335 28 60 or visit www.mo-vis.com

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Chasing Equilibrium Finding good work-life balance is vital, but achieving it is more like a marathon than a sprint

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ork-life balance is something that means different things to everyone who reads it, which makes sense as we all balance our lives in different ways. Everything is relative to the person who is experiencing it, and there are a multitude of different things which can factor in to how we balance our lives compared to our friends and colleagues. Saying “we need to have a good work-life balance” and successfully actioning it are two very different things, however.

As the world has collectively roused to the importance of caring for our mental and emotional health as we do our physical health, the term “work-life balance” has crept into the collective consciousness, positioning itself as something we all need to strive for, regardless of our respective workloads. The term itself is not particularly new, in fact, if you’ve ever seen the movie Cheaper by the Dozen (the 1950, not the Steve Martin vehicle), you will be familiar with the brains behind the concept: 32

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Lillian Moller Gilbreth, mother of the famed dozen and intellectual in her own right, created the philosophical basis for the concept by examining the ways time, motion and fatigue intersect to affect the worker, and how a lack of equilibrium in this area can result in dissatisfaction across one’s life.

What does a healthy work-life balance even look like?

Many people - not just OTs - will find the lines of our work and life are blurred, especially in the aftermath of a global pandemic where many of us were working from home, thereby eradicating the physical barriers that exist between our workplaces and our places of rest. Working outside of our traditional nine to five is also becoming more common as we try to make up for all the hours in the day that seem to go walkabout when we’re not looking. That said, working overtime or outwith normal working hours is absolutely fine, so long as we do things to balance it out on the other side. According to the Mental Health Foundation, a good work-life balance can involve meeting work deadlines while still having time to see friends and perform hobbies, having the time to eat and sleep well, and not worrying about work when we’re away from the workplace. As they say, it’s not necessarily

While it may feel sometimes that the cards are stacked against you when trying to balance work and life, there are steps we can take to try and at least bring the balance closer to equilibrium

about splitting your life down the middle so that half of your time is dedicated to work and half to leisure, it’s about creating balance to ensure that you’re fulfilled in both areas of your life.

The negative effects of having a poor work-life balance can, unsurprisingly, affect both our productivity and our mental health. CIPD, who produce a yearly report on health and wellbeing in the workplace, present us with the concepts of “presenteeim” and “leaveism,” which sees employees working when unwell and working when they should be on annual leave, respectively. Their reports also highlight what is perhaps one of the most difficult pressures to manage in any workplace: stress.

Experiencing high levels of stress at work, which have been exacerbated for many by the additional fear of avoiding COVID-19 in workplaces and on commutes, is the main cause of short-term and long-term absence, per the CIPD. While it may feel sometimes that the cards are stacked against you when trying to balance work and life, there are steps we can take to try and at least bring the balance closer to equilibrium. These don’t have to be big

changes, but can instead involve making sure that you are taking time out in your day for yourself, even if you only have five minutes going spare. Ensuring you take breaks when you’re entitled to them - as the law states you are - is just one small way you can take time for yourself in the day.

It is also vital to note that reaching out for help, regardless of to whom or when you do so, is never a moral failure on your part, despite pressure sometimes making it feel so. It is a greater show of strength to reach out and ask for help with things you might be struggling with in the workplace - be it workload or tasks you might not fully understand - than to remain slogging away while experiencing pressure or anxiety. A problem shared is a problem halved, as they say.

There is no quick fix for ensuring our work-life balance is in check, and there’s no one thing we can do to even out the scales. For everyone, it’s about making incremental changes until finally, after some time has passed, we feel that both the weight of our expectations in the workplace and our ability to do what we love in our free time have equal weight in our lives.

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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 clients

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PERMOBIL F5 CORPUS POWERCHAIR

An ideal powerchair for people who enjoy the great outdoors, this powerchair is designed to be driven on an assortment of surfaces over long distances, and on a regular basis. The agile chair has a great turning circle, and offers reliability, confidence, and features smooth 2-pole motors and suspension. easylivingmobility.co.uk | £9995 2

PULSEROLL MINI MASSAGE GUN

Small and mighty, the Pulseroll mini massage gun can be used to alleviate tension, stress, aches and pains on the go. The lightweight massager fits easily into the hand, and can be used to reach any muscle group to deliver compact precision massage. The massager comes in its own carry case, with four different head attachments.

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pulseroll.com | £129.99

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SAEBOSTRETCH SPLINT

Ideal for clients who are experiencing contractures, the SaeboStretch features a proprietary strapping system which ensures an intimate fit while being adjustable for comfort.

The resting hand splint is designed to minimise joint damage and pain in clients who are experiencing moderate stiffness after a stroke, head injury or spinal cord injury. uk.saebo.com | £136 4

PORTABLE MASSAGE CUSHION

This massaging cushion can easily be taken on the go, and can be used on both the back and buttocks dependent on where it is positioned behind the client. Perfect for both children and adults, it’s filled with high density sponge for comfort and support. sensorydirect.com | £22 5

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DORSET EVERSHOT OVERLAY MATTRESS

Designed for functionality, this pressure reliving mattress system with five inch air cells helps prevent clients from developing pressure ulcers in home care environments. It features an antimicrobial, waterproof, machine washable cover that offers peace of mind and comfort to the user. The overlay mattress is easily inflated using an entry-level pump. dorset-nursing.co.uk | £219

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FOOT CLEANER WITH PUMICE

An excellent addition to the bathing routines of clients who may not be able to reach their feet for an assortment of reasons, it helps clean feet without the need for bending down or overexerting. The scrubbing bristles help clean the feet with the addition of liquid soap, while the pumice stone in the centre exfoliates and massages the foot.

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completecareshop.co.uk w | £7.99 7

BUDDI

Buddi is a well-designed fall detection device for older people that allows them to call for help after a fall, as well as automatically detecting if they may have taken a tumble, at which point a trusted relative is informed. The stylish device is unobtrusive and worn on the wrist, and does not require a smartphone in order to function. buddi.co.uk | From £99 8

KUDDLY COOLING WEIGHTED BLANKET

Giving all of the benefit of a weighted blanket, this product from Kuddly also utilises HydroCool technology, which allows the user to maintain a comfortable temperature, making it ideal for those who are not yet ready to give up their heavy weighted blankets for the summer. It is available in two lovely colours.

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kudd.ly | £99

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Jo

Switch A simple and effective solution for assisted standing Designed to help a person with reduced mobility, stand from a seated position and enable their transfer to another surface.

The Switch actively encourages the user to participate in the standing process, engaging core muscle groups while improving strength and function.

Safe working load 180kg / 28st / 397Ibs Compact and easy to manoeuvre Quickly dismantles for easy storage and transportation Simple design for easy on-going maintenance Optional knee pad cushions for extra comfort 5 Year warranty as standard

Contact Joerns Healthcare to find out more:

(T) 0344 811 1158 (E) info@joerns.co.uk

On Your Bike British bicycle manufacturer Islabikes have created a brand-new cycle designed specifically for people living with dwarfism

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ummer and cycling go together hand in hand. On a beautiful, bright, clear day, there’s nothing more fun and freeing than hopping on your bicycle and taking to the cycle path for a day of exploring. Plus, it has the added advantage of being a terrific form of exercise!

Islabikes have just this year revealed their brand-new Joni bikes, designed specifically for cyclists living with achondroplasia. The Joni bike was developed with extensive input from members of the Dwarf Sports Association (DSA), who assisted with both the design and testing stages, and saw company founder Isla Rowntree spend a weekend cycling with DSA member Steve Scott, who showed her which aspects of the bespokebuilt custom cycle he was using at the time did or did not work. The lived experiences of people living with dwarfism helped to shape and inform the Joni bike, which sports a proportional frame, curved handlebars, and specially designed brakes, among other things.

The company, who have made their name by offering thoughtfully designed children’s bikes for over 15 years, was inspired to create the Joni model after years of being asked by people living with dwarfism if they could try the company’s children’s bikes in the hope it would allow them to get back to cycling. Speaking to the Guardian, Islabikes’ managing director, Tim Goodall, said that while many people felt like this was their best option even though the bike didn’t entirely accommodate their needs, Islabikes felt that it was an issue that would be better rectified by creating a specific, well-designed bike to suit the needs of people living with achondroplasia.

This has culminated in Islabikes becoming the first company in the world to mass-produce bikes designed for people living with achondroplasia, as other companies offering the service do so on a bespoke basis. To reflect that, while Islabikes usually only ship their cycles to Europe, the Joni can be bought by anyone, anywhere in the world, after being manufactured in small quantities at their headquarters in Ludlow, Shropshire, Tim Goodall said: “To mass produce, you need a mass market, and mass markets are usually average; average height, average weight, average arms, average legs - you name it, it’s average. That’s great if you’re average, but dreadful if you’re not. We are determined to overcome the barriers that prevent cycling. For the Joni 20 and 24 that means manufacturing them locally in small batches, something we are incredibly excited about.”

Islabikes’ Joni cycle comes in two wheel sizes: the Joni 20 is designed for riders over 115cm, while the Joni 24 is designed for people over 125cm. Alongside this, Islabikes also offer starter bikes for children living with dwarfism: their Cnoc bike comes in two wheel sizes, 14 and 16, for children 90cm and over and 102cm and above respectively. The Joni cycle is priced at £899, with a wide assortment of accessories available to complement it, including a rack and propstand. For more information on the bikes, visit Islabikes’ website: islabikes.co.uk

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STEPPING UP Taking on more responsibility or leadership roles in the workplace can be daunting, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it

DISREGARD IMPOSTER SYNDROME Imposter syndrome is something that people across all careers, at all levels, will feel at some point, and often, it’s unwarranted. It’s especially prevalent in younger people who are given the opportunity to step up or step forward. Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling of doubt in your own abilities, which makes you feel like a fraud and undeserving of your achievements. Doubting ourselves is natural, but letting it get in the way of our opportunities brings on additional stress that negatively affects our ability to perform relevant tasks, as well as how we feel about ourselves in our down time.

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e all get to a point in our careers where the opportunity arrises to take a step up to the next level, and steps up can often involve an increase in responsibility and leadership. For many people, this can be anxiety inducing: we all have a different idea of what makes a good leader, and there can be a worry within us that we might not live up to our own standards for leadership. Worry, however, is natural, and embracing or overcoming it will allow you to make leaps and bounds in the trajectory of your career as an occupational therapist. Often, especially when we are given opportunities to lead early in our careers, it can be incredibly overwhelming, but that needn’t prevent us from taking these steps, as leadership is a quality which can be learned. What are some basic steps we can take to feel more confident in stepping into positions which require leaderships skills or responsibility?

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DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK There will be times in our careers where we are not the person best suited to answer questions or make recommendations, despite the fact that we are the person responsible or in charge. This is perfectly ok!

Part of good leadership is knowing when it’s ok to say that you don’t know the answer to something, or even better, knowing that you have another team member who could answer in your stead. You are not infallible, and being infallible is not something that should ever be expected of you. When you lead a team, you should be aware of the strengths each of your team members has, and how you can optimise your working using their strengths to complement your own. Knowing when to ask people within or outwith your team for help, advice, or guidance is key to being a good leader, and being responsible in your responsibilities.

FLEX ON INFLEXIBILITY It’s important to be flexible in leadership for a whole host of reasons: being flexible in your decision making - understanding that there’s more than one way to get something done, and your way might not be the best - and in your approach to leading a team shows you to be a team player and an approachable leader. Being flexible in your approach to working means that you are better able to succeed in the aspects of work you are responsible for.

A fear of failure is one of the most natural things in the world: no-one wants to take on a task or opportunity only to have it all fall down around us

DELEGATION IS KEY People entering leadership roles for the first time may struggle with the concept of delegation as it feels like quite a bold thing to tell someone what to do, but if you’re in a situation where you lead a team, it’s an absolutely essential aspect of your role. Being able to work with people, both within your team and within other departments, and assign work as it needs to be done is a vital part of leadership. Fostering good working relationships by asking people instead of telling is often a good idea when you find giving orders a little too much to handle at first, but once you’ve done it once, you can do it one hundred times.

MISTAKES ARE GOOD FOR YOU

Imposter syndrome is something that people across all careers, at all levels, will feel at some point

A fear of failure is one of the most natural things in the world: no-one wants to take on a task or opportunity only to have it all fall down around us. To use the oftheard phrase, however, if this happened, it probably wouldn’t be the end of the world. Failure is as natural as success, and it shouldn’t be feared because every time we try, we learn something that helps us succeed further down the line. That’s on the off-chance we even experience failure in the first instance: walking into a situation expecting a negative outcome is not a good way to approach anything. Making mistakes is a great way of learning, and offers us a learning opportunity that we may not have been able to attain through continued success. “Mistakes” and “failure” of course mean different things to different people, and are both relative and subjective, but they are not always a bad thing when they offer us the ability to self-reflect.

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How Can OTs Make Meals More Enjoyable?

Maia Fergus-O’Grady, registered dietitian with Wiltshire Farm Foods, explores what OTs can do to ensure patients are eating nutritious meals and enjoying mealtimes

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or most of us, mealtimes are likely considered an enjoyable experience; it’s an opportunity to not only satiate our hunger, but a good reason to come together with loved ones to prepare and eat a tasty dish.

However, as we get older, there are several circumstances that can influence the overall quality of a mealtime experience. Consequently, individuals may start failing to eat nourishing, balanced meals, thereby increasing their risk of malnutrition.

Occupational therapists are incredibly well-placed to use their expertise to ensure their service users continue to enjoy meals and maintain a healthy weight.

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We have highlighted some common issues that can affect the quality of a dining experience, as well as ways that OTs can make M.E.A.L.S more enjoyable for their patients.

MODIFIED TEXTURES The ability to process certain textures can change as we get older; we may find it harder to chew certain foods, like tough meats. Swallowing requires over 30 nerves and muscles – if any one of these begins to deteriorate, it could impact the efficacy of a service user’s swallow.

Difficulties with chewing or swallowing may lead to individuals requiring, or preferring softer, texturemodified meals.

OTs can help to increase a service user’s appetite in many ways. It may be liaising with family members or carers to ensure that food preferences are being met where possible, or passing relevant information on to the dietitian. It can also extend to spotting whether an individual needs glasses or an updated prescription, or providing equipment such as adaptive utensils, cups, and plate guards, that enable them to maintain their independence at mealtimes, thereby increasing intakes.

LONELINESS Age UK estimates suggest around 3.6 million older people in Britain live alone. For many, isolation can take a toll, affecting their motivation to prepare a meal.

OTs are again, extremely well-positioned to spot if a service user may be lonely; signs could include sleeping in, not eating properly, and a general lack of self-care.

There are many incredible organisations that work to combat loneliness – by OTs having a good awareness of these, they can signpost patients to helpful resources.

SENSORY Sensory changes can also affect us as we get older, with many finding that their meals don’t taste or smell like they used to. To combat this, many add extra salt or sugar to meals to enhance the flavour; however, this can be detrimental to health, particularly for those with conditions such as heart disease or hypertension.

OTs may be able to identify these changes and suggest healthier alternatives to their patients – these include lemon juice, chilli and other spices, mustard, and horseradish, and fresh or dried herbs.

If an individual has empty cupboards, rotting food in the fridge, or an aversion to discussing their eating habits and patterns, this could be a subtle sign of a larger nutritional issue such as dysphagia (swallowing difficulty).

These patients may need to be assessed by a speech and language therapist or dietitian.

ENERGY Preparing a meal typically requires the ability to stand for prolonged periods, lift objects, stretch and crouch to reach cupboards, and clean up after ourselves. This may become an inaccessible task to many in older age; attempts may in fact increase the risk of injury or falls.

Eating also requires good co-ordination and sufficient energy to cut, lift the food to the mouth, and chew.

OTs are crucial in assessing a service user’s ability to self-care, and can provide various solutions, including trolleys to make ingredients accessible, and techniques for energy-conservation.

APPETITE A reduction in appetite as we move through life is common; portion sizes that were once considered ‘normal’ can become overwhelming in later life.

Sometimes the most appropriate option to enhance a service user’s wellbeing is knowing when to refer a patient to another relevant service. For example, knowledge of the various local meal delivery services offering pre-prepared meals, particularly those where drivers can pack into the customer’s freezer, may be highly beneficial. It can not only help an individual conserve energy when preparing meals, but for those requiring a texture modified diet, shaped, moulded meals may in fact increase the amount of food consumed through its visual appeal.

The knowledge of appropriate services can extend further; having an awareness of local lunch and supper clubs can help service users combat feelings of loneliness whilst also increasing appetite – research shows that we do tend to eat more with others.

It’s possible for older age to be full of positive mealtime experiences. By healthcare professionals being well equipped with relevant resources, as well as the understanding that the quality of mealtimes is multifactorial, we can make a real impact in helping all individuals continue to enjoy their meals.

For details on the new Wiltshire Farm Foods Spring/ Summer range, visit wiltshirefarmfoods.com/ easter-menu. Share the code EA22 with your service users and they’ll receive three desserts for just £5 when they spend £35 or more.

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Travel Plans Supporting your clients to independently plan a holiday

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ow that travel is back on the cards for most of us it is understandable that most people are keen to get some form of holiday booked. It has been a long couple of years and many of your clients may be feeling the need to spread their wings and bask in a change of scenery.

A break away from the usual everyday routine can do so much for a person’s emotional wellbeing. The last two years have been hard on everyone, but for many people living with disability or illness it has been like living with a dark cloud over their heads; constantly worrying about COVID-safe practices, terrified they may contract the virus, and not knowing how it will affect their health.

These feelings do not just go away overnight because the government decides there is no need for masks.

The anxiety about emerging back into a world where everyone is interacting as they were in 2019, can be overwhelming for some people, but as occupational therapists you are ideally placed to support your clients if they want to look at booking a trip away. Whether that be a UK break or venturing further afield, the whole process of planning and booking a holiday can be used as part of a therapeutic practice with many clients.

Everything that goes into planning a holiday can be looked at in a therapeutic manner, that can help build confidence, encourage independence, relieve anxiety, and improve mental wellbeing.

We have highlighted many of the processes that go into planning a trip and covered many of the areas that will need to be considered to ensure a safe and hassle-free trip.

DESTINATION DECISIONS First off, the destination needs to be decided. Is it a staycation or do they want to venture further afield? Use this opportunity to discuss where they would like to go, find out if there is anywhere they have fond memories of and

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would like to revisit. Familiarity can be comforting if they are nervous about travelling, but they may be looking for new experiences. Transport is another factor that needs to be considered, whether they are comfortable taking public transport or would rather use their own car to travel. If they are looking to travel abroad, research may need to be done into the assistance offered at airports and on flights.

RESEARCH AND BOOKING

This is a great opportunity to help clients become familiar with using the internet and showing them how to safely enquire and book things online. There are many people who are still not confident in using the internet to look up information, this can be used as a chance to help guide them through some basic tasks and highlight some of the dangers to look out for. Understandably many people still do not like to book online, they prefer to talk to someone over the phone for clarification and reassurance, you can show them how to find the contact details on websites so that they can call and discuss requirements over the phone. Opening up the ability to simply allow them to see what is out there by using the internet for research and to see images of the accommodation available could open up a whole new world to them and build their confidence in using technology.

ACCESSIBILITY Discussing physical accessibility needs with your client is very important. The last thing they want is to arrive at an inaccessible location for their holiday. Talk through all the things they will need to consider in terms of what they require, for example, they may need a hoist in the bedroom, wheelchair access throughout, profiling beds, a wetroom or other equipment. Sit with your client and make a list of all the things they need, this can act as a tick list whenever they enquire about accommodation, helping them to independently be able to assess whether the accommodation will cater for their needs.

ORGANISATION Once the trip is booked and the dates are in the diary, it is time to start getting organised. Travel plans and timings, whether that be for flights, trains, buses or driving, must be considered in advance to ensure everything goes smoothly. Packing should also be organised ahead of time to ensure nothing is forgotten, a list can come in very handy here, especially for the priority items. Consider creating a list for important items like passports, medication, spare batteries for medical devices, a pump for wheelchair tyres, money, credit cards and other necessary items, this will help ensure nothing is left behind.

Once this is all done, everyone can sit back and soak in the anticipation of going on holiday. It can be uplifting having something to look forward to and a refreshing break will always do wonders for a person’s wellbeing, especially if it all goes smoothly.

The last thing they want is to arrive at an inaccessible location for their holiday

At the same time, it is worth making a list of all the things they want for their holiday. They may want somewhere dog-friendly, they may want to ensure that there are restaurants onsite or access to a garden area to sit outside, and local accessible attractions may also be a high priority. This can be another list that will help your client pin down the perfect getaway.

COVID-SAFE COVID has not disappeared, it is still very much in circulation, and this can be a great worry for many people living with adverse health conditions. Talk to your client about ways that they can keep themselves safe, this may be through wearing a mask in public spaces, carrying hand sanitiser with them, looking at self-catering options to ensure that they have their own space. It is also worth checking websites for any COVID-safe messages that the accommodation adhere to and asking about extra cleaning standards that may be in place.

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Europe's leading event for the disability community.

6th & 7th July NEC Birmingham #Naidex #AnythingIsPossible

Register Free Today www.naidex.co.uk

FREE TRAINING DAYS AT 6-7 July, NEC, Birmingham

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he CPD accredited seminar agenda for Naidex is now live! Head on over to naidex.co.uk to view the agenda. As well as sessions from RCOT, and Tanni Grey-Thompson, we have highlighted some sessions throughout the two days for you.

TRAINING TO TAKE RISKS, DARING TO LIVE LIFE When: Wed 6 July Time: 15.30 Where: Accessibility Summit As an occupational therapist and trainer, Mike has noticed a conflict between the wish of disabled people to live their lives to their fullest potential versus the concern of health, social care, and education practitioners to ensure that, as professionals, they are legally compliant and not at risk of litigation. In this interactive seminar, Mike will explore with the audience how a balance can be achieved between these apparently different perspectives so that both parties are satisfied with the outcome.

ASSISTANCE DOGS: BENEFIT PEOPLE, CARERS, AND BUDGETS When: Wed 6 July Time: 11.45 Where: Accessibility Summit This seminar from Bethann Siviter will look at the types of support dogs currently can provide, the paths to having an assistance dog, the legal rights of assistance dogs and their handlers, the benefits assistance dogs provide for disabled people and their carers/families, and the benefits to the health and social care system.

It will include helping professionals and disabled people consider when an assistance dog might be an appropriate intervention, as well as the responsibilities and requirements inherent to having an assistance dog.

All of the sessions at Naidex are CPD accredited, so not only is the event informative and educational, but will also contribute to your professional development, for free! Register your free ticket at naidex.co.uk or scan the QR code with your mobile device.

A CHEAT’S GUIDE TO A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP When: Thurs 7 July Time: 14.45 Where: Accessibility Summit James Leinhardt is a sleep posture expert. He has designed class-one medical devices to manage the sleep posture of clients suffering with complex neurological illness and injury. He works with NHS Trusts and social care throughout the UK and his night-time system has reached clients as far as the Middle East and Australia.

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SUPPORTING OT STUDENTS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC Dr Sandie Woods is a senior occupational therapy lecturer and was a personal tutor to OT students throughout the pandemic. Here, she evaluates the multifaceted role of the personal tutor, what is needed to ensure the wellbeing of students, and how best to support and prepare them for their role as OTs

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s a result of COVID-19, students in higher education experienced changes to the organisation and delivery of practice placements and teaching and learning, affecting their health, wellbeing, and student experience. 9352 students in undergraduate programmes in nursing, midwifery and allied health completed the Health Education England survey in 2021, which revealed that 40% of allied health students had considered leaving their studies. A recent Office of National Statistics (ONS) report showed that third-year or higher students in England were significantly more likely to report that their mental health had worsened since the start of the autumn 2021 term.

A previous ONS report also identified lower levels of student wellbeing across four domains: life satisfaction, life worthwhile, happiness, and low anxiety. Ten factors were identified including the need for higher education institutions to improve the provision of mental health support linked to struggles with wellbeing and isolation.

ROLE OF THE PERSONAL TUTOR RCOT criteria states that each learner must be allocated a tutor for the full duration of their occupational therapy training. A personal tutor is described by RCOT as supporting professional development, providing general academic advice and mentoring. Terms such as “personal and professional tutor,” “academic advisor,” “go to,” “signposter,” and “conduit between the student and the institution” highlight how the personal tutor can serve as the first point of contact throughout the student journey.

Being a navigator of services, an advisor, an encourager, an active listener, a problem solver, a critical friend, a translator of academic, institutional and COVID guidelines, all came into focus during the pandemic.

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the majority of surveyed students preferred one-to-one meetings with their personal tutor over group meetings TAKING TIME TO CONNECT As the pandemic took hold, the need for greater contact increased, including dealing with any difficulties quickly, not letting concerns escalate, and ensuring students were not disadvantaged by the changes taking place.

Many students do not feel comfortable making that initial contact with their personal tutor, and some students may be reluctant to acknowledge that they are struggling, or may be hesitant to share difficulties, and unclear about the role of the personal tutor.

behind the words. Student group meetings with cohort and year leads continued by moving online but the individual tutee meetings provided a more personalised and confidential space for sharing.

International students faced the additional hardship of not being able to see family or travel home between semesters, the impact on student accommodation, and limited contact with fellow students. When family members were ill it was not possible to visit, adding additional stress. A survey of 7273 students across 121 providers, including 35% international students, found key drivers for academic dissatisfaction included the impact of loneliness and isolation and this was more likely for students living in halls. The need to include more proactive outreach was highlighted.

Surveys have focused on full-time students, but parttime students often had the additional complexities of working and studying, homeschooling and supporting vulnerable others. Practical and financial difficulties were evident, for example, homeschooling without sufficient electronic devices for online study or suitable environments.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Research showed the benefits of group tutorial sessions, including forming friendships and a sense of belonging, but found that the majority of surveyed students preferred one-to-one meetings with their personal tutor over group meetings. For some students these one-toone meetings were brief, catching up and checking on their wellbeing. Other tutees faced significant challenges and losses, and providing the opportunity to meet regularly and be flexible was important.

Government guidance and lockdowns meant changing from face-to-face to online delivery. Students without the technology to engage with online learning were supported to navigate the processes and apply for financial support to avoid disadvantages. Stress levels were raised as students faced new online platforms, variable internet connections and at times unsuitable study settings. Exams and assessments moved online, creating anxiety for many.

CREATING A SAFE SPACE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

Government guidelines and directives for HE were regularly updated but the number of communications could be overwhelming, particularly for students with dyslexia or English as a second language. Reporting this information to senior management was important and resulted in alternative approaches such as online question and answer sessions and summaries.

It was important to create a safe space for students to feel comfortable discussing any problems they were experiencing. The CALM approach captured elements of engagement including connection, authenticity, leadership and meaning. Listening and respect, genuine appreciation, and affirmation were essential as students managed the changes taking place.

The key to success has been identified as the development of a strong personal tutor and tutee relationship linked to regular meetings. Norman (2020) outlines the importance of relating to the tutee in the moment and Wheatley (2002) talks of seeing how wise we can be together. A narrative and storytelling approach can be an accessible way of sharing events; hearing the tutees’ stories, perceptions and insights to understand more deeply.

Aspects such as proximity, eye contact, facial expression, posture, gestures and the environment that influence the way we communicate were affected by the move from face-to-face to virtual meetings. Online meetings required even greater attentiveness to the meaning

PRACTICE PLACEMENTS Practice educators saw changes in roles, responsibilities and service delivery and faced the dilemma of whether they could support a student and provide a good learning experience. An NHS staff survey showed that almost half of NHS staff in England reported feeling unwell from work-related stress, the highest rate recorded in the past five years.

Students faced the dilemma of deciding whether to proceed or delay their practice placements. Student support was available through the practice placement team at the university but the role of the personal tutor was also important. This included listening to their concerns, helping tutees consider the options available to them, and discussing their health and wellbeing and the potential impact on family members and shared accommodation. Some students had been informed by vulnerable family members that they would need

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to live elsewhere if they decided to go on placement in a health or social care environment, which made deciding how to proceed increasingly difficult and had financial implications. Working collaboratively with the tutee, practice educator and practice placement team throughout the practice placements was essential, including looking creatively at ways of achieving competencies in ever-changing work environments.

ILLNESS, BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS Students faced the impact of COVID on their health and wellbeing and the loss of family and friends. In practice settings, students also witnessed rapid changes to the health and wellbeing of patients and service users.

During personal tutor meetings, others’ losses became evident including disappointment and at times anger and dissatisfaction that their university experience had not been what they had expected. Work with patients and service users altered and the role of OT was shaped and evolved with the pandemic. This created uncertainty and concerns about readiness for practice when they qualified.

Being clear about the scope of the personal tutor role, expectations and boundaries were important.

Information about the counselling and psychological support services, student help centre, and support for financial hardship were discussed with the tutees.

Discussing options available when students needed to interrupt their studies or had extenuating circumstances were undertaken in collaboration with the course director.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Although the personal tutor role is clearly stated in the RCOT standards, it is important for higher education establishments to look at how the standards are implemented.

Evaluations of the student experience are undertaken formally, for example, through student surveys, course boards, module evaluations and meetings with cohort and year leads. It is opportune to also look specifically at the role of the personal tutor to support the health and wellbeing of students.

Each student is unique and it is important to recognise and respond to different cultural backgrounds, styles, languages, experiences and needs. Spending time with tutees can assist in maintaining the health and wellbeing of students and improve their learning experience.

With all the other work commitments it is not easy to find time for regular meetings and catch-ups, but the importance of the role needs to be recognised and built into the planning, design and delivery of programmes in health and social care.

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PREPARING NEW STAFF FOR THE ROLE Preparing new staff for the role of personal tutor can assist in developing skills, strategies and consistency in the provision. Mentoring has been shown to incorporate many characteristics from role model, supporter and feedback-giver, to eye-opener, idea bouncer, encourager, problem solver and challenger. The skills required should not be underestimated.

PEER MENTORING Tutees demonstrated great resourcefulness and resilience in managing the challenges of the pandemic.

The insights gained by students and the resources and strategies they used during the first wave could be invaluable to new students. Developing the role of the buddying scheme in higher education could facilitate leadership skills, help students recognise their resilience and capabilities, and share what they have learnt and not just what they have lost as a result of the pandemic. It is important to recognise different cultural, ethnic and minority groups and the benefits of creating opportunities for sharing and collaboration.

Further work is needed to investigate how students perceive the support they received, identify unmet needs and provide recommendations for the future to reduce disadvantages and support mental health and wellbeing.

It is important to ensure part-time students and those undertaking apprenticeships are also included in studies.

The impact of the pandemic on academics and practice educators also warrants further investigation and research to improve working lives. Consideration should be given to the research design including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method and arts-based approaches to enable future generations to understand what it was like being a student, academic, occupational therapist or practice educator through the pandemic and what we can learn from history.

You can contact Dr Sandie Woods at sandiewoods@gmail.com.

Celebrating 37 years of innovation in the caring community

EPILEPSY - FALLS PREVENTION - DEMENTIA

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OTAC 2022 Confirmed dates ®

Visit an OTAC® near you for expert seminars and exhibitors specialising in home adaptations and equipment.

OTAC® Newcastle

OTAC® Cambridge

OTAC® Midlands

Hilton Hotel - Gateshead Wednesday 4th May 2022

Hallmark Hotel Wednesday 15th June 2022

Drayton Manor Theme Park Wednesday 29th June 2022

OTAC® Chester

OTAC® Reading

OTAC® Cardiff

The Queen at Chester by Best Western Wednesday 7th September 2022

Hilton Hotel Wednesday 9th November 2022

Vale Resort Wednesday 7th December 2022 An event hosted by

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Integrity, Trust, Respect

Paediatrics All the latest from the world of paediatrics

SECTION magine walking into a library or book shop and not being able to find someone who was like you in any of the books. The loneliness, the isolation, the feeling of being othered; it’s unpleasant to imagine and even worse to live out, as for some people, not being represented in the media they consume is their reality. Fortunately, understanding of the importance of representation and inclusivity is improving - especially in children’s

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literature - leading to a slew of new authors putting pen to paper and creating worlds in which people can see themselves represented.

We’ve curated a list of some of these books, which your younger clients are sure to love, on page 55.

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Alongside that, we have our regular assortment of fantastic paediatric products on page 58. As ever, if there’s something you’d like to see included, please don’t hesitate to email us at ros@2apublishing. co.uk.

Read on to find out more...

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THE EAGLE HAS LANDED! We are excited to announce the launch of the Eagle, part of the Mangar lifting cushion range • A small footprint which allows it to be used in tight spaces, including bathrooms • Easy to fold and position under someone who has fallen • Will lift at least 30 stone • Reduces risk of musculoskeletal injury • A slimline version of the Camel, the Eagle has an in-built backrest to give extra support • Portable – able to use inside or outdoors • Air inflation reduces the risk of pressure wounds during a lift

For more information or to book a demonstration please email enquiries@winncare.uk or call 0800 2800 485.

Sunken Trampolines are the experts in providing trampoline solutions for schools, care institutions and families across the UK.

For a free consultation and site survey please contact us and we would be more than happy to help. m: 07801 573278 or 07765 256537 e: sales@sunkentrampolines.co.uk w: www.sunkentrampolines.co.uk

STORIES FOR ALL Exploring the importance of representation and inclusivity in literature

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he benefits of reading for children and young people are numerous and far reaching. Introducing children to stories and books from infancy can not only begin a love for stories, but it also forms a great foundation for an interest in reading in later life, and has been shown to improve literacy levels as a child grows.

Books are powerful tools that can transport young minds into magical worlds, they can make them laugh, make them cry, teach them about kindness and friendship, loss and grief, and help them escape when their own world overwhelms them. Books and stories can be an important guide for young minds, teaching them about life, moulding their perspective on the world and helping them to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Part of this literary power is through seeing yourself represented in a story, being able to relate to a character in a book or story can have a huge impact on a child. It is therefore very important to ensure that children are exposed to literature that reflects their own world as well as the wider world around them.

The representation of disabled children and young people in books is not high, but it is something that we can see being addressed over the last few years. More books are being published that include disabled characters and that celebrate difference and inclusivity. Every child should be able to see themselves represented on the pages of a book, so we have coined a list of some of the best books for children and young people that focus on celebrating disability and difference.

LEO AND THE LIGHTNING DRAGONS Author Gill White has written this book for her son who lives with a rare form of epilepsy known as Ohtahara syndrome. Leo is a brave knight fighting fearsome dragons both inside and out and the story shows him realising that the most important thing is to persevere and believe in himself. The story has been really well received by parents of children with complex needs and healthcare professionals alike, and all royalties from the book sales go to Children’s Hospices across Scotland (CHAS).

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ODD DOG OUT Written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, this beautiful story is must-read for young children. It follows the story of one dog who stands out from all the rest and who leaves her town to find where she belongs, only to discover that she belonged in her home town all along. It is a story that celebrates difference and diversity in a simple and beautiful way, showing young children that they can be who they are confidently.

JUST ASK! This book is written by United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor who draws on her experiences of being diagnosed with diabetes as a child. The book has children building a community garden together and sparks conversations between children about different challenges and abilities they have. It shows that just as you need different plants and flowers in a garden, you need different people in the world to make a special place to live. It encourages children to not be afraid to “just ask”.

THE GIRL WHO THOUGHT IN PICTURES This is the story of Dr Temple Grandin, an American scientist who lived with autism and made groundbreaking improvements for farms around the world. This book teaches the story of this determined visual thinker and how she used her unique mind to connect with animals, and become one of the most powerful voices in modern science.

SONG FOR A WHALE This touching story is focused on the main character Iris who is D/deaf. During a science lesson about sound waves she finds out about a whale who cannot communicate with other whales. The familiarity of this scenario sparks something in Iris, and subsequently sees her journeying around the world to find this whale and break through the isolation that they have both been feeling. A beautiful story for any child who is living with hearing loss.

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? Joe is a young amputee who is doing what all kids do at a young age: playing in the park, fighting off fearsome sharks and terrifying sea creatures. However, he is also constantly aware that when he meets kids in the park he will have to answer the age old question “what happened to you?”, because everyone can see that he only has one leg. This question is often preceded with “Was it a shark?”, “Was it a lion?”, “Did it fall off?”. The story is designed to show young readers that kids, regardless of their abilities, just want to be accepted and join in with others to play.

FISH IN A TREE This acclaimed book is written for older children and addresses the subject of dyslexia in an uplifting and relatable story. The main character is a young girl who acts out a lot in class to cover up the fact that she finds reading and writing really difficult. One teacher recognises the bright, creative child who is hiding behind her actions, and teaches her that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of, and supports her to realise all of the opportunities around her.

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CAN YOU SEE ME? This book is a collaboration between 11-year-old Libby Scott who lives with autism, and esteemed author Rebecca Westcott. It includes diary entries written

by Libby, sharing her experiences as a young girl living with autism. It has been praised for its honest and realistic portrayal of autism and gives readers a deeper understanding of what it is like to live with autism. It is the first book in a series of three, that help tell the powerful story of autism, empathy and kindness.

4-5th JULY 2022 | Online 6-7th JULY 2022 NEC BIRMINGHAM

UNITING THE CARE COMMUNITY Guest Speakers: Maaha Suleima CEO Care Matched Derek Breingan Head of Health and Social Care Sector, Virgin Money Claire Johnsen Head of Innovation, Hallmark Care Homes

REGISTER FREE UKCAREWEEK.COM

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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

Kids

CNOC BICYCLE

Designed for children living with achondroplasia, the Cnoc bike is available in two sizes and in three different colours. It’s designed from the ground up to be proportionate and comfortable, giving children who want to enjoy the freedom brought by cycling a comfortable and fun first bike to learn on. islabikes.co.uk

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INSTAX MINI 11

A perfect starter camera for children, the Instax Mini 11 prints its polaroid photographs immediately, and features a built-in selfie mirror and automatic exposure, so it will automatically adjust itself to take the best quality photograph for the amount of light available in its surroundings. This adorable camera is available in five pastel colours. argos.co.uk

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3

DREAM TENT SPACE

A pop-up tent that fastens to a single bed, this clip-on sensory space features colour-changing ambient lights, highlighting different aspects of the detailed space scene printed inside. When it’s not in use, it can be easily removed and tucked back into its handy storage bag. The tent is powered by three batteries. smythstoys.com

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EXTROKIDS PUZZLE

This colourful puzzle is made up of cog pieces that fit together and turn.

Great for small children as it helps develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem solving skills and it can be educational too. These puzzles can spark conversation about planets, oceans and the world, and they are great fun too. extrokids.com 5

ID COMFY JUNIOR PANTS

Designed to provide a discreet and comfortable solution for children aged 4-7 years. The thin and quiet material is soft on children’s skin and the double wetness indicator helps to alert parents when it is time to change the pants. They are designed with anti-leakage cuffs so children can feel confident there will be no leaks.

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incontinencesupermarket.co.uk 6

WHIZZY DIZZY

This fun spinning top style toy is great for kids to play on. It can help develop balance and strength as kids sit on it and rotate the middle wheel themselves to spin themselves around. It will also develop gross motor skills and coordination, and most importantly it is a fun toy for little ones to play on. tts-group.co.uk

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MAKING OT KNOWN Advocating for the profession is a vitally important aspect of occupational therapy, and it’s an opportunity to be fun and creative

O

ne of the largest challenges faced by occupational therapy as a profession is advocacy of the profession as a whole. There is a drive to bring more public understanding of what occupational therapy is, bringing it to a similar level of recognition that other allied healthcare professions seem to enjoy in the public eye; physiotherapy is an excellent example of an adjacent profession which enjoys a high level of recognition in the public eye, being portrayed with relative accuracy in the media on a semi-regular basis, in both fictional and news media settings.

Promoting occupational therapy isn’t just about promoting the service itself - although this is a vitally important aspect of promotion - but also involves allowing people the opportunity to get to know occupational therapy as a concept. What does an OT do? What do you have to do to qualify as an OT? You of course know the answer to these, but does the average member of the public? Many people might not even know an OT personally! Advocating for OT as a profession is something that anyone can do, regardless of practice area.

Leaflets are the classic way of bringing attention to something. If you’ve ever been to Edinburgh in August, you will know how vital leaflets are to selling things to the public: Edinburgh Fringe shows live and die on their marketer’s ability to get leaflets out to people on the street, bringing huge crowds in to see shows they might never have even heard of in the first instance! Of course, you’re advocating for occupational therapy, not a tight ten-minute set of knock-knock gags, but the marketing aspect is similar. Leaflets are fantastic because you can carry them around with you, they’re relatively cheap and easy to produce, and all you need to do to get them is know your way around a printer.

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Leaflets are fantastic because you can carry them around with you, they’re relatively cheap and easy to produce, and all you need to do to get them is know your way around a printer

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has a host of free leaflets which can be downloaded, printed (in A3 or A4) which advertise the different ways in which occupational therapists support people - like those living with anxiety and depression, or living with dementia - plus an assortment of guides in both English and Welsh. That said, if graphic design is your passion, there is nothing at all to stop you from creating your own masterpiece. Programs like Photoshop (which is a paidfor program) or Canva (which is a free online resource) will allow you to create posters and flyers to your exact specifications, which can then be distributed around your workplace or community at will. Creativity is key!

If you’re confident, you might want to try gaming the ol’ Google search function by creating blogs or YouTube videos centred around the theme of “what is occupational therapy”. When people want to understand something, they look it up online; it’s what we all do. The problem is that a lot of the material we might discover is geared towards people who already have knowledge of the area, so it can be impenetrable to the layman.

Take, for example, Wikipedia: someone who doesn’t understand what a “meaningful activity” is might want

Social media is an excellent way to network with other occupational therapists, but these networks can also be used for outreach to people who may not yet know the value of occupational therapy

to know what an OT is, but leave the website more confused than they came in.

Creating blogs, YouTube videos, Instagram reels, or TikToks which explain how occupational therapy operates in a language that people not familiar with it can understand, and being open to explain and answer questions in a simple and relatable way can go miles to helping people cement their understanding of how valuable occupational therapy is as a profession. You’re the expert in this situation, and you have the ability to break down what the profession is in a “bitesized” way for people who may be coming to it for the first time to consume.

Social media is an excellent way to network with other occupational therapists, but these networks can also be used for outreach to people who may not yet know the value of occupational therapy. Utilising trends on social media in a way that aligns with RCOT’s social media values can be an excellent way of bringing attention to occupational therapy, and lets you expand the understanding of the profession in a way that’s both fun and approachable to people. Using social media has the added value of being able to reach a wide array of people, from all age groups and walks of life, who might not be aware of the importance of occupational therapy, but be at an age where they are making decisions on their long-term career path. You never know - you could be one fun-but-professional TikTok away from introducing a young person to the profession that will change the trajectory of their career path forever!

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Evenbreak’s Career Hive The careers service designed by and for disabled people that could help your patients get back to work

I

t is well-known that working gives people more than just a regular income; it reaffirms self-worth, boosts confidence, expands skills, provides social benefits and can help promote self-identity.

As occupational therapists you know how important it can be to a person’s wellbeing to find a job that they love. However, we also know how wide the disability employment gap is with disabled people only having a 52.7% employment rate compared to 81% for nondisabled people. Sadly, there are still barriers for disabled people looking for employment, but there are services out there who can help support disabled people into meaningful employment, and Evenbreak is just one of those organisations.

Evenbreak is an accessible job board where disabled people can find roles with companies who are proactively looking to employ more disabled candidates.

They also support employers to become more inclusive and accessible, and remove disabling barriers. Over the years, Evenbreak realised there were some real gaps in the provision of careers support for disabled people who were looking for new or better work.

Candidates were reporting that often they couldn’t find careers support which was suitable and accessible for them. Sometimes it wasn’t relevant to disabled candidates, and was perhaps delivered by careers coaches with little understanding of disabling barriers in the workplace. Or the provision had restrictive eligibility criteria – dependent on their postcode, or their age.

Last year Evenbreak developed the Career Hive (hive. evenbreak.co.uk) which offers a wide range of relevant and accessible careers support specifically for disabled people looking for new or better work. They recognise that everyone needs different support at different times and want to offer a diverse range of services for people to choose from. They spoke with candidates about what support they needed, and built the service around their responses. All of the services are free of charge to disabled candidates who are looking for real job opportunities, as the Career Hive is funded by the surplus income from the services they sell to employers. The hive is there to support disabled candidates and can help in the following ways: 62

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...with disabled people only having a 52.7% employment rate compared to 81% for nondisabled people. Sadly, there are still barriers for disabled people looking for employment

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FIND SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS LOCALLY They couldn’t find a comprehensive list of organisations who offer career support to disabled people, and they didn’t want to duplicate existing services, so they created their own directory. There are many large and small organisations around – large national disability charities, and some local social enterprises. There may be one near your client that they don’t know about. Local organisations are likely to have relationships with local employers, so may be better placed to assist than Evenbreak themselves. Candidates can search by postcode and by what kind of support they are looking for.

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ACCESS ONLINE RESOURCES

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Evenbreak run online webinars and workshops on a range of subjects, including writing CVs and attending interviews, and also on some of the softer skills, such as networking, or developing resilience and grit. There is also a library of recordings of previous webinars, so you can find exactly what you need.

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There are many online resources on employability, but most don’t address the barriers that disabled candidates face. The dilemma about whether or not to mention disability, or ask for adjustments, for example. Evenbreak offer a searchable range of resources – videos, templates, articles, etc., looking at employability skills through a disability lens.

3

SEARCH FOR JOBS ON A SPECIALIST JOB BOARD

ATTEND ONLINE WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS

COME TO ‘MEET THE EMPLOYER’ EVENTS

There are regular online events with employers, who talk about the kind of jobs they offer, what the recruitment process looks like, and how to ask for adjustments. There is also the opportunity to ask them questions as well, so candidates can get to know the organisation better before applying.

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Employers who are looking for more disabled applicants advertise their roles on Evenbreak’s accessible job board (evenbreak.co.uk). Candidates can search by location, employer, job type and others, and even set up job alerts to be informed if any jobs come up meeting their criteria.

RECEIVE ONE-TO-ONE COACHING SESSIONS FROM CAREER COACHES Some candidates might need one-to-one support, and their team of careers professionals (who all have lived experience of disability) can offer this.

Candidates may just want their CV reviewing, or some preparation for an interview, or they may need some support with confidence building, or identifying transferable skills. The support is tailored to what the individual needs, and delivered in a way that suits them – video call, email, telephone, WhatsApp, with a BSL interpreter, whatever is required.

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COMPLETE AN E-LEARNING COURSE

A range of e-learning programmes are being developed so candidates can learn the skills they need at a pace that suits them.

There is no charge, and no complicated eligibility criteria – if your client is disabled, currently looking for a new job or better work and would like support in their job search, Evenbreak can help.

Visit hive.evenbreak.co.uk to explore what’s on offer and access as many services as you need.

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Yourevents

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

We take a look at the packed calendar of events and exhibitions that are lined up for OTs in 2022!

Get your CPD lined up for the year and plan the events you want to attend this year.

Kidz to Adultz Events Free exhibition dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and all the professionals who support them, the events are packed with exhibitors and boast a great CPD seminar programme.

Event dates: SOUTH – 17 MAY, FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE CENTRE WALES & WEST – 7 JUL, INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, NEWPORT SCOTLAND – 8 SEPT, ROYAL HIGHLAND CENTRE, EDINBURGH NORTH – 1 NOV, MANCHESTER CENTRAL

kidzexhibitions.co.uk 29-30 APR

BAPO Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists will host their annual conference in April this year. It is packed with presentations, speakers and workshops to help educate healthcare professionals working in this arena. bapo.com

OTAC Events The UK’s only free Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference and Exhibition. At each event you will find expert seminars and exhibitors specialising in home adaptations and equipment, and invaluable CPD opportunities.

Event dates: CAMBRIDGE – 15 JUN, CAMBRIDGE BAR HILL HOTEL, BW SIG, CANBRIDGE MIDLANDS – 29 JUN, DRAYTON MANOR THEME PARK, MIDLANDS CHESTER – 7 SEPT, THE QUEEN HOTEL, CHESTER READING – 9 NOV, HILTON HOTEL, READING CARDIFF – 7 DEC, COPTHORNE HOTEL, CARDIFF

otac.org.uk

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2022 Calendar 6-7 JUL

5-7 JULY

Naidex

UK Care Week

NEC, Birmingham

18-19 MAY

Naidex returns in 2022 for an independent living revolution.

Boasting a dedicated CPD seminar programme, a wide range of innovative exhibitors, interactive demonstrations and expert speakers, this year’s event promises to be unmissable. nadiex.co.uk

Residential and Home Care Show 2022 ExCel, London

NEC, Birmingham The first day of this event (5 July) will take place online and the last two (6-7 July) will be in person at the NEC. The aim behind this exhibition is to unite the care community and address the biggest challenges facing it today, while celebrating the talent of all care workers and discussing change for the future. ukcareweek.com 11-13 JUL

This show is part of Health Plus Care, it will cover all the big, current issues for social care including personalisation, integrated care, safeguarding, raising quality, dementia, CQC ratings, new employment law, recruitment and retention issues, which technologies work and business development. healthpluscare.co.uk/residential

PMG Conference The International Centre, Telford PMG’s annual conference provides an educational, industry exhibition and networking events for professionals working in the field on posture and wheeled mobility. pmguk.co.uk

21 JUN

COTS 2022 Westpoint Arena, Exeter The Care and Occupational Therapy Show is the only trade show dedicated to care home professionals and occupational therapists in the south west of England.

Discover products and services on the exhibition floor, attend a variety of panel discussions and listen to keynote speakers who are internationally renowned experts in the field of healthcare. careexhibition.co.uk

6-7 JUL

23-24 NOV

European Neuro Convention

The Occupational Therapy Show

NEC, Birmingham Europe’s only trade event for brain and spine experts. Two days packed with workshops and expert industry speakers, the chance to gain free CPD, meet with suppliers and network with likeminded people that can share their knowledge and solutions to improve patient outcomes in the neurological sector. neuroconvention.com

NEC, Birmingham A vital date in the OT diary, The OT Show will return this year with an outstanding line-up of speakers, seminars and workshops. The show is dedicated to bringing OTs more CPD opportunities than any other event and the exhibition floor will be packed with organisations catering for the independent living market. theotshow.com www.

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• Professionally and Academically Accredited All our People and Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses are assured and regulated as Customised Level 4 or Advanced Level 4 Awards by RoSPA Qualifications. They are Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Approved Learning Awards, certified by the CPD Certification Service and aligned to the Skills for Health Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF).

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