The ot magazine

January/february 2015 • Issue 2

Improving Independence

Mindfulness As an occupational

therapy enabling strategy

Innovation

in India

Taking your skills overseas

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Exceptional features, along with durable drive control

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Manual Elevating Legrests

Power Tilt

ATX Suspension

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The Quantum速 Q4 is a compact 4mph Mid-Wheel Drive power chair, designed for indoor and outdoor use. The Q4 has been specifically designed with the new ION Seat, allowing width and depth adjustment. The Q4 features mid-wheel 6 design, which enables tight turning radius and outstanding performance making the Q4 a good choice for the demands of the most active client.

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04/12/2014 08:06 09:20 23/12/2014

Welcome

welcome I would like to start off this issue by

passionate and proactive profession, that take great

wishing you all a happy new year and thanking

pride in the work that you do. At The OT Magazine we

each and every occupational therapist who has

hope that we can help bring recognition to the OT

taken the time to read the first issue of The OT

profession and to individuals that deserve it.

Magazine. So many of you have also taken the time to

share your thoughts on the magazine and we are very

To start off the new year, this issue brings you an article

pleased to report that they have been very positive. Your

on OT coaching by Jen Gash, founder of OTCoach, turn to

feedback is incredibly important to us as we are striving

page 37 to find out how coaching could help you in your

to produce a magazine that occupational therapists

professional and personal life. In addition to this we have

will not only find a useful resource but will also enjoy

an article on Mindfulness from John Chacksfield, founder

reading.

of Mental Fitness Ltd, he explains how this mental process can be achieved and how it can benefit people

I must also thank those of you who have contacted us to

with mental health problems.

submit articles and offer to share your knowledge and expertise with your peers through The OT Magazine.

We also spoke with Caroline Molloy about her work

The future issues of The OT Magazine are already filling

with The Deepti Centre, an education and rehabilitation

up with some very interesting and creative articles and

centre for children with disabilities in India. Read more

we would love to hear from more of you, so please don’t

about Caroline’s experience of utilising her OT skills in

hesitate to get in touch if you are interested in sharing

India on page 41.

your expertise, techniques or your personal journey as an OT.

Our regular mix of information on products

Since starting work on The OT Magazine there is one thing that has become overwhelmingly apparent to me and that is that you, as OTs, are an incredibly

The team Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Jen McLean Designer: Katie White Sales: Abraham Otakoya Contributors Kate Sheehan, Ritchard Ledgerd, Caroline Molloy, Jen Gash, John Chacksfield, Suzi Sandford Contact Details 2A Publishing Ltd, Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind. Est., Glasgow, G46 8JT

t m t m t m

and services can also be found throughout the magazine. We hope you enjoy this issue and once again thank you for your support so far. ■ Ros, Editor

Sign Up For Your Free Subscription TODAY!

T: 0141 270 8085 F: 0141 270 8086 E: enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk

www.ot-magazine.co.uk

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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 2014 © 2A Publishing Limited.All Rights Reserved.

ISSN 2056-7146

www.

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contents January/February 2015

07 What’s New

We explore what’s happening in the healthcare sector

13 Using Our USP’s

Kate Sheehan shares her thoughts in her regular column

15 More Than Simply Relaxation

Mindfulness as an occupational therapy enabling strategy

53 28

19 Product Focus

We display some of the innovative products available to aid independent living

25 A Day In The Life of An OT

Every issue we talk to a different OT to find out what their job involves

26 The RollerScoot

A revolutionary choice for people with reduced mobility

28 Emerging Roles for OTs

We look at the roles OTs have undertaken at a retirement village

30 World Federation of

Occupational Therapists

A new era for the WFOT Bulletin

33 Overcoming Common

Bathroom Problems

53

Stuart Barrow provides his advice on choosing adaptations and products and we showcase some of the products in the marketplace

37 OTCoach JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 • ISSUE 2

Bringing courage and creativity back to occupational therapy

IMPROVING INDEPENDENCE

41 Innovation in India Mindfulness AS AN OCCUPATIONAL

THERAPY ENABLING STRATEGY

Innovation

IN INDIA

Taking your skills overseas

let us know your thoughts on the ot magazine See page 65

4

www.

We talk to Caroline Molloy about her work overseas in India

47 Squease

We find out more about this innovative vest that uses pressure therapy to calm children and adults

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41

48 MEANINGFUL OT

Suzi Sandford shares her experience of

becoming an independent OT working with children with autism and their families

SUBS C todaRIBE for y free !

30

53 Childrens Product Focus

A focus on the varying products available to help children with disabilities

61 Events Calendar

Exhibitions, events, conferences and training that may be of interest to you

65 Your Voice Counts

We ask for your thoughts on The OT Magazine

66 Sign Up

Fill in your details for your free subscription to

The OT Magazine

21 www.

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23/12/2014 06:57

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters Association

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23/12/2014 08:07

what’s

new

Carers Allowance Available Online

240,000 carers in the UK claim the allowance each year, and until now, they were forced to do this via the post or by using an outdated online system which was difficult to complete and had low take-up.

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

Age UK launch new Mobility Aids Range

In partnership with the Cabinet Office’s Government Digital Service, the DWP has launched a new digital service simplifying the claims process One of the improvements for claimants is a new way of verifying that the person they care for understands the claim – removing the need for them to sign a paper declaration.

Minister of State for Disabled People, Mark Harper, said: “Carers provide an invaluable service to people in some of the most vulnerable circumstances in our communities. We spend around £2 billion on carer’s allowance and are committing even more in the future. A simpler and quicker online system for claiming the benefit is extremely welcome news for those whose time is overwhelmingly dedicated to looking after others.

For those that are not able to use the online service, an assisted digital option will always be available. This could include, for example, using DWP’s Jobcentre Plus offices as drop-in centres to complete the service with carer’s allowance experts who can offer internet access and personal support.” ■ You can now claim carer’s allowance online at www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/ how-to-claim

A

ge UK Trading, par t of the social enterprise arm of the UK’s leading charity for older people, has selected NRS Healthcare as the sole provider for a new range of mobility aids designed to help older people stay independent for longer.

Helena King, Head of Affinity and Product Development at Age UK, comments: “At Age UK our mission is to help people enjoy a better later life. We understand that in order to be truly happy at home it’s important to feel safe and comfortable so we are delighted to be working with NRS Healthcare to offer a new range of mobility aids.”

Stephen Kennedy, Commercial Director at NRS Healthcare says: “ We are extremely proud to partner with Age UK and believe that the combination of leading charity and product supplier will

hugely benefit those looking to maintain independence in later life. This is just the first phase of what will become a full range that will develop over time to become the best offer available to all those who need products to assist them in their daily tasks.”

The range of over 300 products is available to view and buy online at www.ageukmobilityaids. co.uk or by calling 0808 149 4198 (Mon to Fri 8.30am – 5 . 0 0 p m ) . NR S H e a l t h c a re has a highly trained team of customer care advisors and occupational therapists who can help customers select the best products to meet their needs. ■ OTs looking to help clients find their own equipment for private purchase can order free flyers to promote the range by telephoning the number above or emailing customercare@ nrs-uk.co.uk

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what’s new

UNISON fights the privatisation of primary care support services

OTs call for greater collaboration

U

Over 75% of occupational therapists (OTs) in the UK believe there is not enough collaboration between healthcare professionals and specialist manufacturers, according to a report released

by Repose Furniture.

The specialist seating manufacturer surveyed a straw poll of OTs at this year’s Occupational Therapy Show and found that an alarming 79% of OTs crave greater collaboration in order to make the right choices for their patients when it comes to selecting specialist furniture.

And according to Repose’s survey, when OTs do assess seating solutions for patients, 85% of them look for functionality over design, comfort, and price, with 61% of OTs saying that specialist furniture and home adaptations are ‘vital’ to the success of their work.

Lisa Wardley, Managing Director for Repose Furniture, explained the importance of collaboration and what the survey means for specialist manufacturers across the sector. She said: “The results of the survey are very encouraging, they also enable the industry to open up important two-way communication channels between occupational therapists and ourselves, something that we strongly advocate already at Repose.

This communication holds a

8

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NISON h as r e n e w e d its commitment to fighting privatisation in the NHS in the wake of NHS England starting its tendering process for the privatisation of primary care support (PCS) services in England.

This service employs about 1,800 people in offices across England, and the procurement process is now underway in a 10-year, £1billion contract - one of the largest ever tendered in the NHS.

pivotal role when examining knowledge transfers and effective collaboration. It will enable us to gain greater insight into the specific needs and requirements of a variety of medical conditions. This will further empower us to continue to develop our bespoke range of seating solutions, with functionality and comfort at their heart.” ■ www.reposefurniture.co.uk

Huge multinational companies like SERCO, G4S, KPMG, Capita - and even arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin - have expressed an interest in the contract.

NHS bodies such as commissioning support units have been blocked from applying and the contract has been devised in such a way that other NHS bodies such as the Business Services Authority just could not take on this service.

NHS England is due to make a decision on the award of the contract in March 2015.

The board of NHS England meets at Leeds on 26 March and UNISON will be lobbying

New Care Technology Canary Care is a new home monitoring system that gives reassurance that relatives or friends are safe and well.

Most importantly, it gives that individual the freedom and support to stay living in their own home for longer This new technology has the potential to provide peace of mind whilst allowing parents or elderly relatives to continue

to live in their own home independently.

Canary allows families to see at a glance, on a webpage via a mobile, tablet or laptop, if everything is as it should be. For example, it can tell you if your relative has visited the kitchen, if their house is warm enough or whether they have gone to bed as usual. It can also tell if a visitor (domestic, personal care or

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the board against this contract.

UNISON feel that this work should remain within the NHS and not be handed to a huge multinational company to make profit and potentially risk vital services for patients.

Although TUPE would apply, it is also clear that any incoming company would not keep 43 offices open and would drastically cut both offices and staff leading to hundreds of redundancies.

UNISON is lobbying hard to try and

meal delivery) has called at the expected time. If anything out of the ordinary does occur, Canary will send a text or email to a member of the family or a friend so that they can check that everything is ok. Families and designated friends can also have access to the webpage so they can be reassured that everything is as it should be.

prevent this privatisation on such a huge, national scale.

On 11 December, UNISON national officer Nick Bradley wrote to the board setting out the union’s concerns about the process.

Work on an in-house bid has now been shelved, meaning that there is no NHS option being considered at all.

Health national secretary Christina McAnea said: “It is nothing short of a major scandal that NHS England is refusing even to consider an NHS

temperature and visitors to check that everything is as it should be. Canary uses wireless and mobile technology, removing the need for a phone line or internet connection. It doesn’t use cameras or microphones so nobody can be seen or heard. ■

option for these services. We have huge multinational companies desperate to win this contract worth £1 billion over 10 years.

“For there to be no NHS body or in house option just reveals the truth about the agenda of this government, which is running hell for leather in privatising as much of the NHS as they can before the general election in May. We must unite to try to stop this happening.” ■ www.unison.org.uk

their own care and is on sale via www.canarycare.co.uk

Canary can be purchased for £270 with a monthly rental of £15 or rented for £36 a

It is simple to set up and easy to use. It month with a refundable deposit of £100 uses discreet sensors that are placed (all prices include VAT), offers excellent around the home to monitor movement, value for money for those who pay for

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OT Show Hailed A Success

O

n 26th and 27th November 2014, an impressive 3,200+ occupational therapists (OTs) descended on the NEC, over two days, to attend the Occupational Therapy Show 2014!

As the excited and enthused delegates entered the show, they were treated to hundreds of products and services from over 250 exhibitors and more than 60 hours of accredited CPD education, from world-renowned speakers. Covering all areas including Mental Health, Physical, Children & Family and Shaping the Future, there was something for everyone!

With thousands of OTs gathered all in one place to network with speakers, exhibitors and each other, this was the ultimate place to be for all interested in Occupational Therapy. Don’t just take our word for it, read what our delegates had to say:

great combination of being able to attend talks and also walk around and talk to the exhibitors.”

Anne Gillespie, En-ablement OT

“This year’s event is much larger and there is a greater variety of equipment that is on show. Without doubt a worthwhile day for me who works in OT services.”

Rowen Bradley, Director of Children Therapy Solutions

Did you miss out on the Occupational Therapy Show 2014?

Don’t worry, we’re back on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th November 2015 - save the dates and register your interest at theotshow.com/2015. ■

“I came last year and was spellbound by the quality of the seminars! As I walked in this morning it was packed – obviously people who came last year went back and told their colleagues this was an event not to miss. It is a 10 www.

If you want to know more about participating at the Occupational Therapy Show, please contact: Carmela Rodia on +44 (0)207 348 5767 or Panayiota Damianou on +44 (0)207 348 4909 or email theotshow@closerstillmedia.com.

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MOBILITY VEHICLE HIRE LTD is a daily rental company specifically servicing the specialist requirements of disabled drivers and passengers throughout the United Kingdom and we are market leaders in the supply of specifically adapted vehicles to cater for the needs of disabled drivers and passengers.

Vehicles can be hired on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, as well as a one, two or three year lease. We provide a door-todoor delivery and collection service. We have a large and exciting portfolio of wheelchair accessible vehicles and adapted cars which are sure to exceed your expectations, such as Ford Fiesta’s, Galaxy MPV’s and other prestige vehicles.

Mobility Vehicle Hire Ltd has a large fleet of adapted mobility vehicles available for hire. Our vehicle adaptations include infra-red controls, left foot accelerator, boot mounted scooter hoists and push pull hand controls.

In addition we have wheelchair accessible vehicles ranging from Peugeot Partner sized to Renault Traffic size, with rear ramp or an electric tail lift on larger vehicles.

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We at Mobility Vehicle Hire understand the difficulty and frustration that people experience when their existing vehicles are either off the road through maintenance and accidents or simply requiring additional support through an injury or disability.

More often than not sourcing a suitable replacement vehicle is difficult, time consuming, costly and ever stressful.

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23/12/2014 10:29

COLUMNIST

Kate Sheehan

Kate is the Director of The OT Service; the company 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 their handpicked network of occupational therapists.

using our usp’S ‘Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and wellbeing through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life.

Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement’. (WFOT 2012)

S

ome times I think we need to be reminded of what the definition of occupational therapy is, what an amazing profession we belong to and how the journey we all go on throughout our career makes us the therapists we are.

When I decided to become an occupational therapist at the age of 14, I wanted to work in an acute psychiatric setting. Following working in a variety of settings I ended up as a housing specialist, working in private practice, far removed from my initial choice of acute mental health over 30 years ago. I work with my clients, holistically to develop their individual goals, which are essential to their physical and mental wellbeing. As OTs we are highly skilled in completing an activity analysis and breaking the task down into manageable chunks, so that a client can reach their end goal and have a sense of achievement and success on a regular basis.

We are the only profession that does this and we work very much in collaboration with our clients, which is at the core of our client centred practice.

I believe we often forget what makes us different as an allied health profession and how we communicate this unique selling point (USP) to other people is not always our forte. A USP is a factor that differentiates a product

or service from its competitors and we need to know what makes us as occupational therapists different if we want to successfully sell, promote or advertise our services to commissioners or other potential customers.

I personally believe we have numerous unique selling points and should promote them at every opportunity we have. We are dual trained and can work with individuals with both physical and mental health impairments. We enable our clients to achieve their goals and maintain their functional abilities.

Norfolk County Council’s reablement scheme, led by occupational therapists, found that care hours were reduced by 90% for those going on to longer term care (Allen and Glasby 2010)1.

We can work across the boundaries of education, acute care, community rehabilitation, social care, third sector and housing, the only profession that can do this. We can save services money if our skills are utilised to the full and not restricted. “Occupational therapists can postpone entry by one year for older people needing to go into residential care by adapting their homes, saving £28,080 per person” (Laing and Buisson 2008)2.

We support our clients back into meaningful occupations that they choose to engage with. “My OT helped me to reach my goal of skiing with my daughter after I broke my back four years ago in a road traffic accident, without her support, I would not have been able to achieve this.” (Nina 2014, French Alpes) These are just some of our USP’s and yet we often forget them and do not use them to promote or ‘sell’ our services. Lets embrace our uniqueness and shout about it, we are an amazing profession, let’s not forget it. ■ 1, 2. Cost savings for Commissioners of Occupational Therapy Services. College of Occupational Therapists

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23/12/2014 04/12/2014 08:08 09:20

MINDFULNESS

More Than Simply Relaxation Mindfulness as an occupational therapy enabling strategy

By John Chacksfield

E

Mental Health Occupational Therapy Consultant, Mental Fitness Ltd

mma has a serious anxiety disorder and has not been able to enter a shopping centre for over a year. This has affected her self-esteem, confidence and personal care routines and her difficulties have worsened over time in a seemingly never-ending spiral leading to her admission to a specialist hospital unit. How is it that she has apparently lost control over her life in this way? She used to be a successful researcher in a television company and had a partner and regular routine.

Her occupational therapist Amanda identifies a

goal around developing coping strategies, leading to practice working in the hospital shop. Part of this means attending a mindfulness group run by Amanda’s colleague Dave, another occupational therapist who specialises in the subject. Emma is also referred to a pottery session, which helps people develop their focus on pottery as a meaningful occupation, through simply ‘doing’ the making of different items out of clay.

Over time, Emma practices her mindfulness and utilises it during the pottery class. Her confidence grows and she is able to handle working in the › www.

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mindfulness

› hospital shop and visits to local shops. She progresses towards the goal of survival in a large shopping centre near to her home. (No real names used)

Occupational therapy and mindfulness Throughout the history of occupational therapy, the processes involved in engaging and maintaining human occupation, a term coined by Mosey (1973)1, have been analysed through ‘activity analysis’ methods and, more recently, studied in a more scientific way.

Part of the art of occupational therapy is enabling our service users to optimise their engagement in their occupations and to achieve a state of ‘Flow’. This phenomena is explained

by Czikszentmihalyi (1990)2 as follows: “people are happiest when they are in a state of flow— a state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand and the situation. It is a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter.”

This state transcends everyday thinking and is felt when a person is so involved in the activity they are doing that they are no longer concerned with space and time. This is a state very close to what can be achieved through regular mindfulness practice.

To fight something like that, or indeed to run fast enough away from it, our body needs to be prepared and rapidly. So we evolved this mechanism. It increases our heart rate, tenses our muscles, tightens the stomach and makes us generate gallons of adrenaline and cortisol. Thus supercharged, we then use up the energy, chemicals, and so on, in physical activity and all our tension dissipates by the time we have reached safety (or won the fight).

The huge problem is that now we do not have many problems that we actually can physically run from or fight. Yes the body still reacts and creates the tensions and super-chemicals to prepare us, but it cannot get rid of them because we do not use them up. Why is this bad? Well because keeping all that tension and filling ourselves with cortisol is like pumping our

“It allows the person engaged in it to feel emotions and observe thoughts without becoming involved”

This state of mind reduces the effect of either anger or fear, increases focus, reduces the response to some symptoms of mental ill health and provides a coping strategy that is multi-purpose within most environments.

Practitioners of mindfulness state that they are able to generate this state of mind in almost any situation.

Mindfulness and the Stress Response Mindfulness, as the term is currently called, is a mental process that most of us are unused to. We spent our lives being taught to do exams and suppress our negative emotions. Mindfulness turns all that on its head. It allows the person engaged in it to feel emotions and observe thoughts without becoming involved in these phenomena. It counteracts the body’s natural stress response and de-escalates our chemical and biological reactions by enabling us to detach from the stress-related thinking process.

The body has its natural psychological defence system, called the ‘fight or flight response’, an ancient reaction that prepares all of us to run or fight any situation that we are confronted with.

This automatic response was designed for times when we were 16 www.

faced with wild animals, such as angry, slathering, sabre tooth tigers and flight was usually the best option, unless we had huge confidence and a very large, wooden club, in which case ‘fight’ could be a choice.

system with multiple cups of coffee. We have to come down sometime and it is usually with a big crash. This is especially so if we have kept up our stress levels for a long period of time. Prolonged stress can lead to serious problems and even mental illness if allowed to continue unchecked.

How does Mindfulness work?

Mindfulness practice begins by taking a new perspective.

We literally think ‘outside the box’ in a process that starts by developing the habit of observing our thought processes, or ‘watching our thoughts’. We do this without any form of judgement and without becoming too involved in the thoughts that we are having. Just watch them. It is a bit like watching clouds pass in the sky. We observe them come and go, without a need to follow a particular cloud.

Similarly, with our thoughts, we can simply observe them.

Notice and acknowledge things, such as “I am thinking about going out later”, or “I am feeling hungry”, but we do not need to act on those thoughts. Before we discovered mindfulness we would have possibly acted on the hungry thought at

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“After enough practice people usually find they can switch on the mindful state at will and in any situation”

least, but now we can just watch the thought arise, wash over us, and fall, a bit like a wave.

The second important concept within mindfulness is the ability to keep our minds ‘present’. This is about keeping attention on the thoughts or activity in hand and not letting the mind drift onto other subjects. This too requires practise in order to become habitual.

Finding the balance between the peaks and troughs of our stress is something that many of us have not been taught to do. In schooldays we are taught to be stressed out and focus solely on intellectual pursuits, like exams. If only schools taught stress management skills, as a long-term stress prevention strategy, many people would be better able to cope with complex life situations and manage their own anxiety and other mood states.

be handy for entering anxiety-provoking situations and environments. Ongoing mindfulness practice builds inner resilience. There ceases to be a need for artificial mood controllers, like alcohol, anxiolytics, or even cigarettes.

The value to occupational therapists of mindfulness is both as a tool for enabling a person to engage successfully in their regular occupation, but also as a personal coping strategy for the therapist.

Any therapist wanting to understand mindfulness is advised to practice it. It is a method that is hard to understand through intellect alone. Its true value lies in regular application during human occupation. ■ For more information about mindfulness and other techniques to improve and maintain mental wellbeing, please see the author’s website, www.easymentalfitness.co.uk

Mindfulness as an enabling strategy Practising mindfulness techniques regularly can bring positive results. In order to arrive at this state some people may need a relaxation technique to begin with. However after enough practice people usually find they can switch on the mindful state at will and in any situation. This can

References 1. Mosey, AC (1973) Activities Therapy. New York, Raven 2. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper and Row

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product focus

Product focus

The independent living sector is filled with amazing innovations to help people live more independently. Every issue we will bring you a selection of products, from daily living aids to major mobility products, that make life a little easier for those who need it.

Pride Apex Epic Mobility Scooter The Apex Epic Mobility Scooter offers the manoeuvrability of a 4-wheel mobility scooter along with high-performance features like 36 volts of power, full suspension and a hydraulic sealed brake system.

Other features include: • Full suspension for optimal handling • Deluxe reclining high-back seat with headrest and sliders • Enhanced tiller with wraparound handles and console • Full LED-lighting package • 36 volt battery system with (3) 12 volt 55AH batteries • Two rearview mirrors Prices available on request.

Pride Mobility Limited, 01869 324 600 sales@pride-mobility.co.uk www.pride-mobility.co.uk

SoundBox Designed for people with hearing loss, SoundBox reinforces TV, radio and other music players’ sound. The amplification is optimised, producing a volume of up to 120dB’s whilst reducing distortion.

SoundBox has adjustable voice enhancing hi fidelity and rich sound at all volume levels, so you can hear television dialog much clearer. The tone adjustment ensures you will hear your TV better than ever before, whilst the Independent Volume Control allows you to mute the sound on your TV so you won’t disturb others in the house.

30 metres without losing the signal; simply connect the base to the sound source and take the speaker into a different room or out to the garden. The speaker has an 8-hour battery life before it needs placing back on the base charger. It also features a socket for headphones or a neck loop for an even more personal sound.

Price - £130 Action on Hearing Loss Tel: 01733 361 199 Textphone: 01733 238 020 solutions@hearingloss.org.uk

The lightweight SoundBox is totally portable, with a sturdy carry handle, it will reach up to

www.actiononhearlingloss.org.uk/ shop

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product focus

The Hudson Innovative and unique, the Hudson amputee bed is designed to improve the quality of life for amputees. The Hudson increases stability and allows the client effortless movement to position correctly. The Hudson profiles in the correct places, allowing increased comfort and added support.

The Hudson has a high low action that will assist in transferring in and out of bed. Centrobed are able to bespoke the Hudson bed according to the client needs, making it shorter or longer.

Prices available on request

• Correct positioning • Relieve stress to the body • Stops sliding when sitting up • Suitable for single and double amputees

Centrobed, 01233 635 353 sales@centrobed.com www.centrobed.com

Pop&Go Underwear This underwear has been designed to enable people with limited mobility to get dressed and change underwear without having to bend down or even take off their lower items of clothing or shoes.

Thanks to discrete fasteners positioned on the sides, Pop&Go Underwear helps wearers put on underwear independently without the risk of a fall, and without the need for a carer.

Designed by young Essex entrepreneur, Aurora Tyas. Aurora launched her business with the support of the Princes Trust charity as she wanted to help people with mobility issues like her grandmother.

Pop&Go underwear is a fantastic and discreet design that offers wearers comfort, confidence and independence.

Prices from - £19.99 (2 pairs) Pop&Go Underwear, 07910 381 895 health@popandgoknickers.com www.popandgoknickers.com

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22/12/2014 21:34

Acticheck announces launch of Assure smart band New business, Acticheck has announced the launch of the Assure smart band – the world’s first continuously monitoring personal alarm system.

Designed to be stylish and easy to use, the Assure can be worn by anyone, anywhere. Continuously checking the health of its wearer, the band tracks movement and vital signs, including pulse and body temperature. If and when an alarm is raised, the wearer’s support network is instantly contacted.

Unlike comparative solutions, Assure doesn’t rely on its wearer to trigger an alarm. The Assure offers constant reassurance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

With a typical battery life of two years it never needs recharging. It is also shock and water resistant.

with smart wearable devices is that they need recharging regularly.

By minimising processes within the wristband, and without compromising on quality, style or functionality, we have managed to create a device with a battery life of two years – that’s unparalleled in this market. A second point is the price - at less than £200 for the first two years, and significantly less for renewals, the Assure is far more economical and comprehensive than existing solutions.”

Assure offers independence to those

who live, work or play solo, or who are not as self-sufficient as they once used to be. It is ideal for those with specific medical needs as well as lone workers and solo sportspeople desiring an extra level of personal security.

Gibbs finishes: “Assure negates the need for bulky, unattractive pendant alarms and gives wearers the confidence to celebrate their independence both inside and outside of their home. In Assure we have found a stylish way to keep wearers secure, they will know that wherever they are, they can allow their support network to keep a track on their movements and wellbeing.”

Assure is set to launch in Spring 2015.

For more information visit www.acticheck.com

Founder and General Manager of Acticheck, Karl Gibbs, says: “Assure has a number of unique features. First there’s the battery life. The biggest problem

FLEXX HD Karma Mobility will be launching the Flexx HD manual wheelchair in early 2015. The Flexx HD has been designed with style and adjustability in mind and features stylish flip back height adjustable armrests and swing in/out footrest hangers, all of which are exceptionally easy to use and aesthetically pleasing.

The Flexx HD can cater for users weighing up to 170kg (26st 7lbs) and is available in 20”, 22” and 24” seat widths. The lightweight aluminium frame allows numerous adjustments to enable the user to configure the wheelchair to meet his or her specific requirements. Further levels of user comfort are provided by backrest height and angle adjustment.

Additional features include: multiple rear wheel positions, adjustable castor angle, seat depth adjustment and a double cross brace for increased durability.

Prices available on request Karma Mobility, 0845 630 3436 www.karmamobility.co.uk/where-to-buy

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product focus

RGK TIGA FX Designed to fold – in less than a minute – front first rather than the traditional ‘clunky sideways’, the TIGA FX is the first wheelchair from RGK to be easily stowed in small spaces such as in an aircraft cabin locker, removing the need for storage in the baggage holds and risk of damage. The aluminium frame and webbing – utilising space technology and battle proven Kevlar armour – provides exceptional strength whilst dramatically reducing the weight compared to conventional wheelchairs.

Watch the TIGA FX in action on the RGK YouTube channel.

Prices available on request RGK, 01543 670 077 info@rgklife.com www.rgklife.com

SuperKettle

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The SuperKettle was originally designed simply for use in any kitchen as a convenient method of boiling water, but many customers discovered just how useful they were for people with disabilities.

The SuperKettle holds 3 litres of water and it is designed to be left on in normal use, as it only heats up when needed and uses very little energy in ‘Keep Warm’ mode.

The great thing about the SuperKettle is that it eliminates any form of lifting or tipping, avoiding any risk of spilling boiling water and harming yourself or others. The water comes out at a constant rate, making them much safer and easier to use.

It has protection against overheating or boiling dry and the insulation means the walls are only ever warm and never get hot enough to scald.

Prices from – £54 SuperKettles, 0115 822 6510 www.superkettles.co.uk

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Quantum® Q6 Edge HD with TRU-Comfort Plus Seating The Q6 Edge® HD offers a 32 Stone 2lbs weight capacity and can except Synergy®, TRU-Comfort Plus® seating along with TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning.

Benefiting from exceptional performance and manoeuvrability the Q6 Edge HD features Quantum’s® innovative, yet functional approach to Mid-Wheel 6 drive performance, combining to produce the perfect heavy duty solution.

*Optional powered HD Tilt can accept up to 32 Stone 2lbs at 45 degrees.

* images used for illustration purposes only

CRASH TESTED

Tel: 01869 324600 Email: sales@quantumrehab.co.uk Web: www.quantumrehab.co.uk

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a day in the life

A day in the life of...

Dawn Fraser MA, FHEA, PGCE LTHE, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Senior Lecturer Occupational Therapy, Teesside University

D

awn is a senior lecturer in occupational therapy, she teaches on the Occupational Therapy programmes (BSc and MSc) at the awa rd winning Teessi de University. After qualifying in 2002, Dawn went down t h e t r a d i t i o n a l ro u t e o f a rotational post and worked in a variety of areas i n c l u d i n g, e l e c t i v e a n d trauma orthopaedics, elderly care, stroke rehab, vascular surgery and community mental health, before settling in an intermediate care residential rehabilitation post for five years. She reached the level of expert practitioner and then made the decision to enter the world of academia and has been based at Teesside University for the past five years.

What made you want to become an OT? I wasn’t aware that occupational therapists even existed as a schoolgirl. During our career sessions we had to fill in a form about things we were interested in and who we would like to work with. The careers advisor took that away and came back with a list of possibilities all within the field of health and social care but occupational therapy never came up. After lots of discussions, thankfully for me she persevered and just before she was about to give up and declare the career I was looking for did not exist she stumbled across the profession of OT. I still remember the excitement on her face as she entered the careers lounge and said ‘I’ve got it, I’ve got what you want to do! You’ve been trying to tell me that you want to be an occupational therapist’ and she gave me the job description of what an occupational therapist does and as I read it I thought, ‘Yes, that’s it, that’s exactly it!’ For me, the difference was a career that facilitated people to be independent, enabling them to do things for themselves, I’ve never looked back since.

How has your career progressed as a lecturer?

My career here has been a bit of a whirlwind really. I quickly progressed to senior lecturer having completed my PGCE Learning and Teaching in Higher Education followed by a MA in Education. I’ve been fortunate to be able to undertake two qualitative pieces of research, firstly a study entitled ‘service user and carer involvement in an occupational therapy curriculum’ and a second piece of research on behalf of a local charity, ‘The consequences of conductive education on children with cerebral palsy’. I’ve also taught internationally in Malaysia, Switzerland and India. In addition to this I hold two external positions, I am a specialist advisor for CQC and I have just recently successfully been offered the role of HCPC visitor.

Describe a typical day for you...

A typical day doesn’t exist and that’s what keeps life interesting. Some days I will be lecturing, others I may be providing pastoral or academic support to students.

I also oversee all aspects of the practice placements for the OT students. I’m the team representative on a variety of committees within the school of health and social care, such as the learning and teaching committee, strategic placements group, and I chair the practice educators forum for occupational therapy.

I also attend the national practice placements tutors forum and I’m the Teesside University representative for the BAOT Northern and Yorkshire Regional Committee.

As part of a new initiative I have become a social media champion for the school of health and social care.

What is your favourite part of your job?

It’s the continuous learning and development.

Occupational therapy is a career where we are continuously developing professionally and personally and I think the one thing that this particular job affords me is the opportunity to continue with my own development as well as support the development of others. Each day is interesting and I go home knowing that I have made a positive difference to someone’s life and that is really rewarding. ■ www.

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22/12/2014 21:59

MOBILITY

The RollerScoot

A Revolutionary Choice For People With Reduced Mobility

D

octors are repeatedly telling us that sitting for long periods of time is bad for our health and can aggravate other medical conditions.

For people with reduced mobility, who require assistance with getting out and about there have been very few alternatives to mobility scooters or wheelchairs … until now.

Introducing the world’s first upright personal mobility vehicle with a 360 degree turning circle that enables the user to remain standing.

Invented by Ian Gray, Director of RollerScoot Ltd who qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1990, the RollerScoot combines his medical expertise with 20 years’ experience in mobility equipment. “For many years, the only options for people in need of mobility assistance have been walking aids such as sticks and crutches, the rollator, manual/powered wheelchairs and the mobility scooter. The time was right to bring something genuinely innovative and life-changing to people’s lives,” commented Ian. Backed up by university research which focuses on the benefits of standing more and sitting less, Ian is hugely enthusiastic about the extent to which the RollerScoot can make life easier for many people, while helping to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The RollerScoot offers a more interactive upright position for the user and there is even a built-in seat should the user wish to have a rest. Thanks to its compact size and small turning circle, the RollerScoot can be used in areas where scooters and wheelchairs are often prohibited. It gives people a sense of freedom and it allows them to feel included as they are at the same height as everyone else – great for social interaction, or simply reaching things from a shelf or cupboard.

Perfect for trips around supermarkets, garden centres and shopping malls as well as within the home and thanks to its lightweight aluminium frame, the RollerScoot is easy to take apart and dismantles into three lightweight parts - it will fit into a small car boot and is manageble to take on public transport.

The beauty of the RollerScoot is that it can benefit a diverse audience - from people with breathing conditions (COPD), osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fused knees or hips, multiple sclerosis, ME, Parkinson’s disease to patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, hip and knee replacements. The design of the RollerScoot also allows for it to be easily attendant-controlled.

The world’s first upright personal mobility vehicle

Fitted with a stable standing platform that allows the RollerScoot to turn on its own axis, plus unique built-in leg and hand supports, there are no issues with stability, direction or fitting through standard doorways. A joystick controls the speed and direction, and the RollerScoot’s twin motors are powered by the latest lithium-ion battery pack and capable of travelling up to 12 miles and is limited to a safe maximum speed of 4mph. The maximum user weight capacity is 114kg (18 stone).

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In environments such as retirement, nursing and residential homes, it will be a very useful resource for staff and residents.

It is also anticipated that the RollerScoot will be popular in rehabilitation centres as part of recovery programmes following accidents or injury. ■ Available to buy from 1st January 2015, the RollerScoot is exempt from VAT and is protected by granted Patents and Trademarks.

For more information or to arrange a free demonstration call 0800 3890347 / 07753 826807, email info@rollerscoot.com or visit www.rollerscoot.com. Follow them on twitter @RollerScoot.

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22/12/2014 22:00

Elise Travel Buggy

The Elise Travel Buggy has a lightweight aluminum frame, is easy to transport and is also compact when collapsed.

It is the stroller with a trendy design that offers children all the comfort they need.

Available now with a wide range of accessories and upgrades to enhance comfort and practicality.

Van Os Medical UK Excel House | Ashbrooke Park | Sherburn in Elmet | North Yorkshire, England | LS256 PJ Tel.+44 (0) 1977 681 400 | sales@vanosmedical.com

www.vanosmedical.com

! e s EW th eo e N tch vid bsit a x e W fle w to ur Ro n o o

Theraposture – working with OTs to provide independence since 1981.

Trusted assistive beds, chairs and care cots

• High quality, yet affordable solutions • Cost effective and long lasting independence at home for your clients • Assessment based provision with our Trusted Assessors • Unique and bespoke designs, both ergonomic and attractive • Over 30 years of understanding clients’ individual needs • Achieving positive outcomes for all

Freephone: 0800 834654 Email: info@theraposture.co.uk www.theraposture.co.uk

YOUR INDEPENDENCE, OUR COMMITMENT

Theraposture Limited, Kingdom Avenue, Northacre Industrial Park, Westbury, Wiltshire. BA13 4WE. Open: Monday – Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm. Answerphone messages can be left at all other times

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10/12/2014 08:29

23/12/2014 08:14

DIVERSE ROLES

Emerging Roles for Occupational Therapists

Kate Sheehan explores the diverse role that occupational therapists have played in developing a new retirement village in Ascot.

I

t h a s b e e n 15 y e a r s s i n c e t h e f i r s t continuing care retirement community was built in the UK by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust in York at a cost of £19 million (at 1998 prices). It was built to see if the USA model would work for the UK’s ageing population; it had bungalows, a care centre and communal facilities built in a beautifully landscaped environment and it has met and continues to meet the needs of its residents extremely well.

In the last 15 years, retirement communities have developed and evolved in the UK with different formats and financial backing. There are now approximately 49,000 units of extra care housing in the UK1 and the development of these communities has strategic

support from central government following the publication of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People, chaired by Lord Best, highlighting the benefits of improved housing options for older people in the HAPPI 2 report2.

As the baby boomers age, their demands on what they want and need from their homes, local communities and care provision has changed. Far more often now, this generation are looking at a bespoke, flexible, future proofed home with additional on site support.

BEN The OT Service has been working with BEN, the automotive industry charity in developing their new retirement village in Ascot, Berkshire. BEN has a long history of providing help to individuals and has been able to provide practical, emotional and financial support to thousands of men, women and children. The Charity runs four care centres and one day centre around the UK and prides itself on providing individually bespoke solutions to those it assists. BEN has provided a range of services on its site at Ascot for over 60 years and is leading innovation in the extra care sector by providing a new exciting generation of housing for older people by engaging everyone in the process and putting the local community at the centre of its development.

The role of the occupational therapist in this project has been diverse and includes various facets such as:

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• Built environment – advice on the accessibility of individual and communal spaces and use of the outdoor space as a therapeutic environment.

• Care package provision – review and development of the flexible care and rehabilitation packages that can be offered to both the owners of the onsite retirement housing and other people living in the community regardless of age, eg. incontinence review, scooter training or sports physiotherapy.

• Equipment advice – advice on what equipment would best meet the needs of the care centre, individual residents and the BEN employees.

• Marketing – reviewing the literature to provide clear information in an accessible format • Rehabilitation – working closely with the excellent onsite physiotherapy team to look at ongoing occupational therapy interventions

The role of the OT has been diverse but extremely rewarding and beneficial on both sides. Marketing the role of OT at a strategic and grass roots level has proved to be invaluable to both services and the aim is to continue to work on other projects throughout the country.

This has required the OT to look beyond the usual boundaries of professional interventions.

Lynwood offers a vibrant and friendly community with private apartments, a state of the art care centre and on site, leisure facilities, restaurant, library, café and hairdresser and much more. To find out more visit www.lynwoodvillage.co.uk. ■

The Future The aim is to continue to work with the therapy team to provide the highest quality rehabilitation with the ultimate goal of making sure everyone achieves and maintains their functional independence and is able to choose what they would like to do and when they would like to do it, with or without support.

BEN would be very interested to hear from other OTs working in this sector, please call 01344 620191 or email kim.williams@ben.org.uk.

Lynwood Village has been built in mature woodland on the borders of the villages of Sunningdale and Sunninghill, close to local shops, golf course and of course Ascot race course. Life at Lynwood has been designed to promote independence and choice and can be planned around your individual needs.

References 1. Elderly Accommodation Counsel, August 2014.

2. Housing our Ageing Population: Plan for Implementation (HAPPI2) Report (2012)

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22/12/2014 22:56

A new era for the

WFOT Bulletin

Developing the occupational therapy profession and promoting health, occupation and participation with a worldwide perspective, through international research and exchange.

T

he World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin is the official, peerreviewed journal of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). Its aim is to promote the awareness and understanding of the WFOT and its activities and services, the development of the occupational therapy profession worldwide, and the international exchange of professional knowledge and experience.

A personal subscription to the WFOT Bulletin is a significant benefit of membership to the Federation’s 29,000+ members around the world. For just £20, British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) members can join the WFOT and receive the WFOT Bulletin free of charge.

It is published twice per year in April and October, and offers regular themed issues aimed at key areas of practice within the OT profession. Recent and forthcoming themes include disaster response, human rights and health, assistive technology and information technology services, mental health service development, and healthy ageing.

General topics covered by the journal include: • Children and youth • Health and wellness • Mental health • Productive ageing • Rehabilitation • Work and industry • Development of the OT profession • Education development • Cross-cultural perspectives A new publishing partnership Up until now, the WFOT have taken care of the management of the Bulletin themselves, but in early 2015, Executive Director Ritchard Ledgerd, began to explore other options. The WFOT leadership team wanted to evolve the Bulletin 30 www.

into a more dynamic publication with a wider circulation and advanced digital publication tools.

Hence, the decision to move to a professional publisher was carefully considered and approved at the WFOT Congress Council Meeting in Japan last June.

From 2015, the WFOT Bulletin will be published

by Maney Publishing, an international company with offices in the UK and USA, specialising in the publication of journals for societies and professional organisations. Maney currently publishes over 170 journals, including some of interest to occupational therapists, such as the Journal of Social Distress & the Homeless, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine and the International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, but it was selected to be WFOT’s publisher primarily because of its premium service, advanced digital technology and international operations.

Ritchard Ledgerd and the Editor of the Bulletin, Dr Kit Sinclair, are thrilled about the new publishing arrangement: “We are very pleased that the WFOT Bulletin will be published by Maney from 2015. With Maney we will have more opportunity to develop and promote the journal to our worldwide membership, and to institutions. Maney’s international presence, online publishing technology, and experience in the publishing of peer-reviewed journals in healthcare will undoubtedly benefit our journal. We look forward to the exciting collaboration.”

So what does this mean for the journal?

Some key elements remain unchanged; Dr Kit Sinclair is staying on as the Editor of the Bulletin, and the aims and scope are the same. It will also continue to publish themed issues primarily in English, with selected papers in Spanish, German and French to appeal to its

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wfot

international readership and authorship. Articles can now be submitted online via the new online submission and peer-review site, Editorial Manager (www.edmgr.com/otb).

WFOT members continue to gain access to the journal online for free via the WFOT website’s member area, but print copies will become an optional extra for those members that wish to purchase them. The print version has had a makeover, featuring a modern, stylish new cover design and professional interior layout.

Mark Simon, Maney’s Publishing Director, welcomes the new partnership: “We are proud and honoured to be publishing the WFOT Bulletin; it is a very welcome addition to our list of journals.

Its content complements what we already publish on rehabilitation, and we look forward to providing access to the journal to WFOT members, and other international readers and researchers, via Maney Online, our new electronic publishing platform. Enhanced online publishing and access, and increased journal frequency, usage and citation, should, in the years to come, realise the full potential of the WFOT Bulletin’s international importance and ambition.”

How do I get access?

The first issue to be published by Maney will be in April 2015, and will be launched at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Conference in Nashville. The new WFOT Bulletin homepage is located at www.maneyonline.com/otb, where readers can find the journal archive, as well as information on submitting a paper and taking out an institutional subscription.

“The intention is to grow the number of international submissions to the Bulletin and increase the frequency to three issues per year by 2017”

The most exciting change is that the digital version of the Bulletin, including all previous issues, has been moved to Maney’s state-of-the-art journal platform, Maney Online. WFOT Bulletin authors can now expect best-in-class content discoverability and much faster publication times, leading to increased readership and citations of their work. There is also the option of open access publication for those authors with the necessary funding. Meanwhile, readers can enjoy the intuitive user interface, advanced search capabilities, and useful tools such as new issue Table of Contents alerts and favourite saved searches.

With the enhancements that are being made, the intention is to grow the number of international submissions to the Bulletin and increase the frequency to three issues per year by 2017.

To obtain a personal subscription to the WFOT Bulletin in the UK, occupational therapists and students must be a member of the British Association/College of Occupational Therapists, and then become an Individual Member of the WFOT, a benefit of which is free online access to the journal. ■

Win an Amazon Kindle!

WFOT Individual Members: In order to obtain your free membership access to the WFOT Bulletin, you must create a WFOT website account at www.wfot.org/membership.aspx.

Once signed in, follow the links to the Bulletin page.

All WFOT members who set up a WFOT web account before the 10 April 2015, will be entered into a draw to win an Amazon Kindle. Set up your account now to be in with a chance of winning!

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22/12/2014 23:14

Bio Bidet is a toilet seat, a bidet and a dryer all in one and by definition a brilliant space saver. It can replace most conventional toilet seats. It allows users to wash and blow-dry themselves while remaining seated after finishing on the toilet.

Touch buttons on a control panel enable the users to activate and Bio Bidet is a toilet seat, a bidet and a dryer all in one and adjust the variable settings to suit their personal preferences definition a brilliant space saver. It can replace most conv Bio Bidet is a toilet seat, a bidet and a dryer all in one and by for temperature and pressure-controlled washing and blow-a brilliant definition saver. can replace mosttoconventional toiletspace seats.

It Itallows users wash and blow-dry themsel toilet seats. It allows users to wash and blow-dry themselves while drying operations. remaining seated after finishing on the toilet. remaining seated after finishing on the toilet.

A spray nozzle extends out of the seat to the required position Touch buttonsTouch on a control panel enable users to activate and buttons on a the control panel enable the users to acti to provide a gentle stream of aerated warm water. At theadjust end of settings to suit their personal preferences for Bio Bidet is a toilet seat, a bidet and a dryer all in one and by the variable adjust the variable settings to suit their personal preferen temperature the wash a cycle, thespace nozzle retracts intomost the conventional seat to allow and pressure-controlled washing and blow-drying definition brilliant saver.

It canback replace operations. temperature and pressure-controlled washing and blow-d for the warm air-drying to be The nozzlewhile selftoilet seats.

It allows userscycle to wash andactivated. blow-dry themselves operations. remaining seated afterbefore finishing onafter the toilet. cleans automatically and each use.

A spray nozzle extends out of the seat to the required position to provide a gentle stream of aerated warm water.

At the end of the cycle, the nozzle retractsout backofinto theseat seat toto the A wash spray nozzle extends the Touch buttons on a control panel enable the users to activate and allow for the warm air-drying cycle to be activated. required position to provide a gentle stream of aerated war adjust the variable settings to suit their personal preferences Thefor nozzle self-cleans automatically before and after At the end of the wash cycle, the nozzle retracts back into temperature and pressure-controlled washing and blow-drying each use. allow for the warm air-drying cycle to be activated. operations.

Tel: 01603 426 700 E-mail: info@pdshygiene.com

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Tel: 01603 426 700 E-mail: info@pdshygiene.com The nozzle self-cleans automatically www.pdshygiene.com

A spray nozzle extends out of the seat to the required position to provide a gentle stream of aerated warm water.

At the end of the wash cycle, the nozzle retracts back into the seat to allow for the warm air-drying cycle to be activated.

The nozzle self-cleans automatically before and after each use.

each use.

before and after

Tel: 01603 426 700 E-mail: info@pdshygiene.com www.pdshygiene.com

Tel: 01603 426 700 E-mail: info@pdshygiene.com www.pdshygiene.com

Bio Bidet is a toilet seat, a bidet and a dryer all in one and by definition a brilliant space saver.UNIQUE Bariatric Leg It can replace most conventional Bedworth Chair Bed toilet seats. It allows users to wash and blow-dry themselves while Lifter  Drop down arms remaining seated after finishing on the toilet. 

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 Both legs or Memory foam & individual legs lifted antibacterial fabric Touch buttons on a control panel enable the users to activate and and gently swung adjust the variable settings to suit their personal preferences for From 20-65 stone temperature and pressure-controlledinto bed washing and blow-drying safe working load operations.  Battery operated From 20-30” seat  Lifts legs upto 14 widths A spray nozzle extends out of the seat to the stone required position to provide a gentle stream of aerated warm water.

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23/12/2014 08:14

bathroom focus

Overcoming Common Bathroom Problems

By Stuart Barrow

B

MD of Promoting Independence

athroom adaptations constitute more than 50% of the adaptation budget through the local authority funded Disabled Facilities Grant. The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (Part 1) introduced the means tested Disabled Facilities Grant and the ability through Section 23(1) E-G for a disabled individual to request access to a wash hand basin, a toilet, and a shower or bath. The Act was superseded by the Regulatory Reform Order 2002, however, the main substance of the 1996 Act remains in place when looking at the Disabled Facilities Grant.

Key Facts • The local housing authority must consult the social services authority which usually constitutes an assessment and recommendations by an OT. • Social Services must assess whether the works are necessary and appropriate and the housing authority whether the works are reasonable and practicable.

• Adaptations for children are not means tested, only adults are means tested.

• Owner occupiers, landlords (on behalf of their disabled tenants), private tenants and council or housing association tenants can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

Equipment or Adaptation Before embarking on an adaptation occupational therapists should explain and demonstrate equipment that could meet an individual’s needs as often equipment well known to the therapist would not be known to the individual requesting advice and may indeed solve the access to essential facilities issue. Equipment includes bath seats, bath boards, swivel bathers, shower stools, bath lifts, grab rails and bath belts. Most local authorities and NHS Trusts have access to this essential equipment, however, if not, large retailers, both online and offline, as well as Independent Living Centres sell these items.

Safety and Space Occupational therapists should not just consider the present, 5-10 years from the assessment should also be a consideration. Can a partition wall be removed rather than an individual having to move owing to a small turning circle? Can

the bathroom door be changed to open outwards? Hazards like a radiator, shower curtain or shower screens should be considered. If an individual was to fall would there be sharp edges or could they suffocate on the shower curtain, or cut themselves on the shower screen doors? Could you access them if they fell behind the door? Simple changes to the bathroom door to open outwards would enable safe and easy access in the event of a fall. Consider plastic shower screens (not glass) and under-floor heating or low surface temperature radiators to reduce hazards. Telecare, flood detectors, fire detectors, or something as simple as a stop-cock valve operated by an easily accessible switch could also help. You could also consider thermostatically controlled showers or bath taps as mixer taps.

Visual Considerations A change in floor colour between hallway and bathroom can confuse an individual with dementia who may believe a step is present or they are walking into a pool of water should the flooring be a dark colour, such as blue with speckles or shiny and patterned. Ensure at least a 30 point light reflective value difference for all parts of the bathroom or shower room facility. For example, contrasting shower seat to tiled wall and floor, door and door handle, shower screen and tiles, shower curtain and tiles. Task lighting, for example, lighting above the basin, toilet or shower would significantly aid an individual with a visual impairment. Considering these and implementing them should cost no more than the average bathroom adaptation cost, however, could prevent the need for a carer or prevent an individual feeling they cannot cope › and choosing to move into a care establishment.

About The Author Stuart Barrow is the Managing Director of Promoting Independence Ltd, an Occupational Therapy company who specialise in equipment, adaptations, moving and handling of people. Promoting Independence also provides expert consultation to retailers and manufacturers including Contour, OT Bathrooms and Mobility Installations as well as providing clinical guidance to www.findanot.co.uk ■ To contact Stuart please email stuart@promoting-independence.co.uk or telephone 02921 900402. www.

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bathroom

Product focus

We take a look at some of the innovative products available on the market today to ensure people can safely and independently use the bathroom.

Bio Bidet The Bio Bidet is the first WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approved electronic bidet toilet seat. It is a toilet seat, bidet and dryer all in one and a brilliant space saver. It can replace most conventional toilet seats, converting a standard toilet into a sophisticated shower-

toilet or washlet, which enables users to wash and blow-dry themselves while remaining seated after finishing on the toilet.

Press buttons on the control panel are used to activate and adjust the variable settings to suit personal preferences for temperature and pressure-controlled washing and blow-drying. A spray nozzle extends from the bidet toilet seat to the required position to provide a gentle stream of aerated warm water. At the end of the wash cycle, the nozzle retracts into the bidet toilet seat allowing the warm air-drying cycle to be activated.

The nozzle self-cleans automatically before and after use.

In addition to WRAS the Bio Bidet models are European CE and American UL approved.

The static weight limit for the Bio Bidet is 21 stone (133kg).

For more information contact PDS Hygiene on 01603 426700 or visit www.pdshygeine.com

Aerolet Toilet Lifter An Aerolet toilet lifter replicates the natural motion of standing up and sitting down, but supports the user throughout the process. It gently raises and lowers them over the toilet, whilst enabling their feet to remain in contact with the floor and maintaining the centre of gravity above the feet for balance. Electronically operated, the Aerolet gives the user full control, ensuring he or she has a safe, comfortable, dignified experience when going to the toilet.

The company offers two main Aerolets- the Vertical and Tilt, both of which can be fitted over conventional WCs or over Clos-o-Mat’s Palma Vita automatic wash and dry toilet. Bariatric versions and separate shower chairs are also available.

Full details and examples of care and nursing homes that have already installed Clos-o-Mat equipment can be found at www.clos-o-mat.com or by emailing info@clos-o-mat.com or calling 0161 969 1199.

34 www.

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Luda® S Electric Care Shower Setting new standards for safety and ease of use, with its audio visual sensory interface, its IQsmart technology provides an intelligent response to changing conditions. The Luda S Sensory Interface provides a simple control system with audible and visual recognition with marine blue illumination. The Luda S Protect features ensure that in any adverse circumstance the Luda will react to safeguard the user, whether this is shutting off instantly or stabilising adverse temperatures. Three different flow rate settings offer water and electricity saving benefits.

An important design feature of the Luda® for anyone with any degree of sensory impairment is the highly tactile shower control buttons, which offer easy navigation. Flow and temperature buttons are indicated by bright illumination and audio recognition gives the user individual control. The sleek and stylish design will complement most bathrooms styles too.

For more information call AKW Ltd on 01905 823 299 or visit www.akw-ltd.co.uk.

CONTOUR SHOWERS UNIQUE SHOWER TRAY New for 2015, Contour Showers will be launching their revolutionary, (international patent pending) rotating shower tray. This level access shower tray, not only benefits users with limited mobility, helping them to maintain independence by allowing them to thoroughly bathe themselves in complete safety, but the unique, electrically operated, rotating action also allows a carer to thoroughly bathe a user as they rotate them, eradicating any reach constraints that may have previously hindered an effective bathing routine and almost completely eliminating the manual handling demands on the carer.

Operated by a remote fob worn by either user or carer, this shower tray is suited for showering with or without

a carers involvement. Should the user need to shower seated or in a wheelchair, any transitions can be safely made beforehand, eliminating the chance of slipping, falls or of lifting injuries. Due to the rotating floor the entry and exit from the shower is then safe and easy.

The uniqueness of the rotating shower tray benefits both the user and the carers, and the rotating action is ideal even in the smallest of spaces providing bathing solutions that otherwise would not be achievable.

The clever design of the shower tray allows for your own specification of anti-slip flooring to be applied to the tray surface, so it can be adapted to match the bathrooms décor or to assist dementia sufferers or people with a visual impairment. Combined with a body drier this revolutionary concept in showering delivers a complete showering solution for the less able user, supporting their requirements to prolong an independent lifestyle.

For further information contact Contour Showers Ltd on 01606 592586, email sales@contour-showers.co.uk or visit www.contour-showers.co.uk.

www.

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22/12/2014 23:23

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23/12/2014 08:14

OT Coaching

Bringing Courage and Creativity Back to Occupational Therapy Jen Gash is the founder of OTCoach and an OT herself. Here Jen explains how coaching can support you as an occupational therapist in your personal, professional and business life to ensure you are reaching your potential as an OT, while achieving a balance across your professional and personal life.

M

y decision to learn to coach was like many I make, quite a random one that could possibly be seen as a distraction from my pathway. It turned out to be the best creative detour I could have imagined and changed my personal and professional life profoundly.

As an OT I had worked in a variety of traditional fields, but deep down my OT heart has always believed firmly in people’s profound and deep potential to affect change in their lives. I have › www.

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OT Coaching

“It is an empowering process which places the individual at the heart of the process” › always felt that we all have untold potential that if unlocked, could move mountains. I know that sounds a bit preachy, but whether it’s by conscious choice or by urgent necessity, human beings can do amazing things. Coaching started to show me the ‘hows’, the ‘whys’ and the reasons we don’t.

Coaching can be defined as: “partnering with clients in a specific conversation-based, thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to move from their current state to a more desired future state.” 1, 2 John Whitmore (2002) believes that “building awareness, responsibility and self-belief is the primary function of coaching” 3. Laura Whitworth (2005) notes that coaching has an “emphasis on producing action and uncovering learning that can lead to more fulfilment, more balance and a more effective process for living” 4, now doesn’t that sound familiar.

Jen Gash, founder of OTCoach

During my coach training I immediately realised

that I wanted to coach OTs. I have always seen huge value in our approach but also been frustrated that occupational therapy isn’t as valued as it should be. Many OTs seem to lack confidence in their skills, are overworked and often burn out as a result.

Coaching OTs soon became a clear passion.

I started to think about the amazing OTs I had worked with in teams over the years and how their brilliance was often dulled by being misunderstood by other professionals, weakened by generic working and blocked by massive client case loads. I also recognised how we, as OTs, often block ourselves by trying to be all things to all people; trying to solve problems and organise work that isn’t being done by others and generally feeling emotionally exhausted by the institutional barriers which exist in public services.

OTCoach This was the starting point for OTCoach, in some way I think I wanted to save the OT friends I had grown to love as I had seen so many ‘burn out’ and leave the profession or just lose passion for the job they once loved. So in the early days my coaching was focused on helping people overcome the pains such as stress, overwork, burnout, bullying and lack of confidence.

Many people do come to coaching for those reasons, but coaching takes the stance that those are signs that something is not working well and whilst some approaches focus on remedying the past in relation to current difficulties, coaching says “OK, lets learn from the past, raise self-awareness and commit to do things differently from now on”.

Coaching also says “you have all the creativity and resources you need to sort this out”, it is an empowering process which places the individual at the heart of the process, the coach is not an expert and does not give advice.

Often when we start unpicking these kind of challenges, we find that something unexpected is contributing to difficulties, so rather than just being a linear, problem solving approach, coaching goals are emergent and the coaching

38 www.

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“There is so much hope and potential in the future for our profession, but we need to be creative and courageous”

journey often twists and turns. Acknowledging this process is often as important as the goal/ action orientated approach that many people associate with coaching.

Over the years my work with OTs has emerged and developed from those early days. Quite soon I realised how much a coach approach could strengthen our OT work. If I had learned to coach as part of my OT undergraduate training, my work as an OT would have been more effective, more client-centred and more occupation focused (and maybe I wouldn’t have burnout myself?)

So in 2006 I started to teach OTs coaching skills. Initially through a one day workshop, but I now have an online course specifically designed for OTs to introduce them to coaching and help them use coaching straight away. The response has always been so positive and next year sees the publication of our new book ‘Enabling Positive Occupational Change: Coaching Conversations in Occupational Therapy’. This international collaboration bet ween myself, Wendy Pentland, Jeanette Isaacs-Young and Amy Heinz, also features contributions from many OTs around the world using coaching.

New Opportunities As OTCoach continued to develop it became apparent that as well as tackling personal issues, OTs wanted coaching to develop new ideas and businesses. Around 2010 I noticed a real shift in the profession, fears were surfacing

about lack of jobs and the crumbling NHS. On the positive side, there was increasing energy about the opportunities, roles and businesses OTs could themselves create, rather than just waiting for OT jobs to be advertised.

Fear can be a force for transformation and indeed has been so for me, but I started to ponder in what ways could OTs work differently? How could our skills, knowledge and approaches be used in the wider world rather than just traditional healthcare and disability. I let my imagination run riot and was so excited by what I saw. (If you subscribe to my newsletter via the website www.otcoach. com you get sent some more information about this).

References 1 Stober, D., & Grant, A. (2006). Evidence based coaching handbook: Putting best practices to work for your clients. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

I now do much more ‘business coaching’ as more OTs want support to develop social enterprises, businesses and projects. They want to bring their best selves, their creativity, their unique OT strengths to bear in a different way and in a way which is congruent with their values and their personal lives.

2 International Coach Federation. (2011). About.

Retrieved November 16, 2011, from http://www. coachfederation.org/ about-icf/ 3 Whitmore J (2002) Coaching for Performance:

I really enjoy public speaking and hope that I can inspire the OT profession to see there is so much hope and potential in the future for our profession, but we need to be creative and courageous.

Growing people, performance and purpose Nicholas Brealy 4 Whitworth L, KimseyHouse H, Sandahl P (2005) Co-active Coaching: New

If you feel coaching or training would be helpful please contac t Jen Gash at jen@otcoach.com or visit www.otcoach.com for more information. ■

Skills for Coaching People Towards Success in Work and Life Jaico Publishing

www.

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22/12/2014 11:40

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15/12/2014 17:46

23/12/2014 08:40

overseas

innovation in india Caroline Molloy is an OT who has been involved in establishing The Deepti Centre, a specialist centre that caters for children with disabilities in Inidia. We spoke to Caroline about the vital support this centre offers to children and parents in the local community and how she got involved with the project.

C

aroline graduated in 1985 and has spent the majority of her occupational therapy career so far in adult physical and adult social care and at times would often work with children’s services as well. Caroline then went on to secure the role of OT Manager for an integrated occupational therapy service in the North East of England in 2011. Caroline left her role as an OT manager and undertook the transition into independent practice working on a variety of innovative and interesting pieces of work including being a professional advisor to suppliers and retailers of disability equipment regarding where OT would be suitable and providing advice, support and guidance for those who need to self-purchase equipment.

The children in the community receive education and rehabilitation at The Deepti Centre

Getting Involved In 2011 Caroline met Dr Susan Mathew › www.

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22/12/2014 23:49

Above: Stacy Henderson and › who was in England

Lauren Hume, 2nd year BSc (Hons)

studying for her doctorate in Theology at Durham Universit y. Originally from Kerala in India, she travelled to the UK with her husband and four children, the youngest of whom has cerebral palsy. Caroline recalls that Dr Susan Mathew was astonished at the resources in place in the UK for children with cerebral palsy.

Occupational Therapy Students

“When she came to the UK she was overwhelmed with the resources they had in the special needs schools for her son and the improvement that he made in a very short time just by being in the UK where we have so many more resources. This inspired her to take everything she had learnt in the UK back to her local community. I heard her give a talk right at the beginning of her journey and I was so overwhelmed by what she was going to do. I spoke to her afterwards and said ‘well you have got an incredible feat ahead of you, can I help in anyway?’”

This innocent offer of help evolved into an involvement, admittedly far beyond Caroline’s initial intentions.

“I thought I could provide a couple of catalogues or offer my expertise in equipment, but it actually transpired that I became the Chairperson for the charity that was established to support the centre. I ended up

“If we can’t get out there we are engaging other people to go out instead and use that time as a placement opportunity” 42

www.

from Teesside University working with the children. Here the children are participating in a therapy group which teaches them the sequence of washing and dressing.

going out every year to the centre to help them set up and to teach and train staff and parents over there, but the most incredible part of the story was that I reconnected with one of my best friends in college.

Caroline Essame is a British trained Occupational Therapist and Art Therapist specialising in working with children with special needs through creativity.

She has lived in Singapore for the last 15 years, so we meet midway in India every year to give training and learning opportunities to the staff and parents and we started a blog of our story for our families to be able to see what we were doing.” You can read their blog at https://carolineinkerala.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/ welcome-to-caroline-in-kerala-blog/

Every year Caroline and her old college friend spend two weeks at The Deepti Centre working with the teachers, parents and children. In 2013 (in celebration of a special birthday year for them both) they also managed to extend their visit and were able to travel to Delhi where they presented at AFID, The Asian Federation for Intellectual Disabilities Conference.

They have also managed to offer the opportunity of visiting The Deepti Centre to students and tutors of occupational therapy.

“We only go out for two weeks but we network for the whole of the year. Last year I wasn’t able to go out but

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overseas some people I connected with at Teeside University from the occupational therapy course were able to go out. The team consisted of Dawn Fraser, a senior lecturer in occupational therapy who has a background in rehabilitation and neurology, Aaron Blenkin, an Arts and Media Technician and two occupational therapy students who had just completed their second year of the BSc (Hons) occupational therapy programme. The team collaborated, utilising their skills and undertook three weeks voluntary work at The Deepti Centre. The plan is for us to develop our connections with people with different skill sets and encourage them to engage with The Deepti Centre undertaking voluntary work which will be mutually beneficial for their own research and professional development.”

Below: Dawn Fraser devised a workshop and delivered it with the assistance of students Stacy and Lauren.

Here we see

The Deepti Centre Dr Susan Mathew started the centre as a specialist centre for children with cerebral palsy but it has evolved over time to welcome children with a wide range of disabilities.

the parents of the children practicing calming techniques following a

“Susan started it off for children with cerebral palsy because her son had cerebral palsy but she has never

turned a child away. In our third year there we looked at the numbers of children who were coming and what conditions they were presenting with and we noticed that we were actually getting more and more children with autism. Less than 30% of children had cerebral palsy in the centre, so we changed the name of the centre to The Deepti Centre, so it now encompasses any child with differently abled needs in the local community. But because we have two centres now, the kids with autism tend to be at one centre so they can be together and they have a larger area to move around in.”

lecture on this subject.

Caroline goes on to explain the lack of resources in India: “There is virtually nothing available over there.

It was only recently that we visited a state school for children with special needs and there were no toys and no resources. The teachers still do an amazing job dedicated to the children. India is a very focused country on its education and learning through play is a new concept for them. The Deepti Centre is now the only place in South Kerala where children learn through play, development and creative materials, it is just such an amazing centre compared to others around it, it really is growing into a source of excellence.”

The centre itself is a day centre that provides education and rehabilitation to children with a range of disabilities from the local community. They have physiotherapists, visiting speech therapists and an OT assistant who organises creative arts for the children.

“We operate out of 3 old Indian houses so we can stay in the community where the children live. The parents, mainly mothers, come with them to school, they escort them on the bus and they have created a community that has led to mutual support and friendship. They really benefit from each others company and this has given them a new life. In rural India as a mother of a disabled child you can be isolated and the stigma of having a disabled child is far greater in India than in the UK. A lot of husbands work away from the area or work in the Middle East or a very long distance from home to be able to work to support their families, so to be able to come to the centre to meet other mums is a great benefit. We have taken them out on trips which is something they have never done in their lives before and we also started some vocational training with them so they have the opportunity to learn sewing skills and I’m even taking out a weaving loom in February. They are now starting to make and sell a few products as well which is great.”

Resources When the centre was initially being set up they relied on donations from generous organisations and › www.

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overseas

Above: Here Dawn Fraser is working with two children on their functional reach, assessing the associated increase in muscle tone when engaging in an activity.

people. Jenx, a company that manufactures postural support products for children with disabilities, donated a lot of equipment and specialist seating to help set up the centre. In addition to this, they managed to collect donations of items from local special needs schools and a community equipment store.

“We gathered together a lot of equipment and were able to send out a container full of specialist seating and all kinds of specialist equipment, so that went out initially, it cost us about £2000 to send and took about three months to get there! So we did have a lot of help from Jenx and we have had a lot of donations from individuals that have enabled us to source the equipment needed in India somewhere which is better, but every year I have gone out I have literally taken one item of clothing and the rest of my suitcase has been full of resources. Once I took a whole suitcase of books out that had been donated and I took a suitcase full of brand new soft toys that had been donated by a friend’s mother, we just take it all out in our luggage! I’m taking out an inflatable swing this time, that I bought at the OT Show because we are setting up a sensory room.”

When asked about her experience at the centre, Caroline admits it is emotionally quite hard but it is also a very rewarding experience seeing the changes that The Deepti Centre is making to the lives of the children and the mothers.

“The children are just so happy, they are just so wonderful. And because we are only out once a year we see the changes in them. The whole centre is delighted to receive visitors and the whole centre is overwhelmed that people overseas are thinking of them and raising money for them and supporting them. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it to be honest.“ 44 www.

Giving Your Time We asked Caroline if she would recommend other OTs to embark on an overseas adventure to utilise their skills in different countries and she answered with a resounding “yes”.

“It stretches your personal resources, I mean I didn’t like flying and I took my first long haul trip by myself into India and I wasn’t comfortable about that, but it stretched me to do more. Also, working in a country where you have got a very different culture, you find you can’t go over there and implement all that you know and all that you have been taught in the UK, you have to be culturally sensitive. We talk about wanting our children to be independent in feeding and seating and positioning, but when you go over to a country like India, you realise that everyone sits on the floor and eats with their fingers so you can’t necessarily introduce specialist seating for feeding. So we have learned to take eight steps back and introduce things very slowly and very gradually and build on what we did the last time the next time we go out. We are very much about building within the culture that they have already got so they can associate with what we are doing and make it fit what they are doing, they can apply it to their culture. We have been talking to them about trying to operate more as a business and trying to make it sustainable from India and approaching people for funding, and sponsorship. They are implementing our suggestions and we encourage them and support them and it’s gradual, but it’s very clear progress.” ■

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23/12/2014 00:03

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23/12/2014 10:41

Innovation

Squease This innovative, inflatable vest is designed to have a calming effect on children and adults who have difficulty processing sensory information. We find out more from the people who have been feeling the benefit of wearing this vest.

S

quease is an inflatable pressure vest designed for people with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome or learning disabilities, who often have problems processing the information they receive via their senses. When the vest is inflated it provides a hug-like pressure giving a pleasant, secure and safe feeling. It can help to cope with stress, anxiety and sensory overload, avoid meltdowns, improve concentration or fall asleep more quickly.

4 year old Sifra Deep pressure helps process sensory information more easily and calms you when you feel upset.

Sheraz Arif, co-founder of Squease, said: “Thousands of people with autism and ADHD have already successfully used the Squease vest to combat anxiety in everyday situations - whether at home, at school, or on-the-move. Our users, therapists and parents that we interact with are incredible and we are so happy that we were able to design something that could help them.”

8 year old Isis (Isis’ parents) “Ever since she was born Isis couldn’t sleep through the night, apart from a 3-year period of swaddling. When we swaddled her, she slept fairly well. But only if the swaddling cloths remained firmly on during the night. As she grew older, the problem increased. Sometimes she woke us up six times a night and that was a good night for us. More often, she woke us up 10 to 15 times every night.

She regularly stayed awake for hours and sometimes even the whole night.

Very exhausting for all of us, since we still had to manage school and work.

(Sifra’s mum) “Sifra is 4 years old and three times a week she visits a day care where she gets physical therapy. One day, the physiotherapist told us that deep pressure works very well for Sifra. He told us that he had heard about a pressure vest and after some research we came across the Squease website.”

“During the rental period, we had to get used to the vest but we made great progress. One day Sifra was able to go with me to the supermarket while wearing the vest and another day we went to the marketplace! That would definitely not work without her vest, as being in a crowded place means too much fuss in Sifra’s mind.

From that moment on the pressure vest became essential during busy times or in “The first night that Isis used a crowded environment. Two weeks flew Squease, we inflated the vest when by until the rental period was over.

Isis went to bed and deflated it when we went to bed. She woke up only “A week after the rental period I wanted three times that night. We couldn’t to go shopping. Sifra was enthusiastic imagine this was really happening. about joining me and asked for her Night 2 she only woke pressure vest. I told her: “we’ve sent it back up twice. During night 3 so another child can try it, remember?” and 4 she also only woke Sifra sighed and said: ‘Then I’m not gonna up twice. We noticed that come with you, because without my Isis wakes up within 1 to pressure vest there’s too much fuss in my 1.5 hours after deflating head.’ the vest, but at least she isn’t awake for hours and “That’s why we decided to buy a Squease she can go back to sleep vest and it’s great to see how happy Sifra quite easily. Night 5 we is since she has her own vest!” ■ kept the pressure vest inflated for the whole night and Isis did sleep For more information visit through the whole night and the www.squeasewear.com subsequent nights too.” www.

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23/12/2014 00:10

meaningful ot

Meaningful OT

Becoming an independent OT straight from qualification Suzi Sandford shares her occupational therapy journey from qualification to becoming an independent OT working with children with autism and their families.

I

almost gave up being an OT on the 8th October 2013. I remember it clearly, I was on a train to London on my way to the airport to start a 12 week trip to Nepal. I was facing the final reminder from the HCPC, and wrote a pros and cons list on whether it was worth the fee. I was two years post-qualifying and I had lost sight of the value of the job title or the OT peer community from within my independent practice.

Thankfully I did decide to renew. About a year on I can’t believe I wanted to disconnect from this incredible profession. I’m now

48 www.

extremely proud to be an OT and of the independent OT work I do and energetically promote OT potential to others.

This article will share my lived experience of becoming an independent OT post-qualification. I hope by sharing my story ‘warts and all’ I will highlight how easy it is for the profession to lose newly qualified OTs that don’t fit the NHS mould to other professions. I have found significant gaps within both education and our professional body, in terms of the information and support network for OTs needing ‘to do things differently’.

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Getting Unstuck I had a great experience at Cardiff University gaining my accelerated PgDip in OT, but by the time it came to graduation I felt stuck. My last placement in Stroke Rehab had included a negative supervision relationship, knocking my confidence.

But more importantly I fundamentally disagreed with NHS organisational attitudes towards clients, and limitations on creative and client centred practice. I was stuck thinking I ‘should’ apply to NHS jobs as that was what the rest of my cohort were doing, but in reality reading job details filled me with a claustrophobic feeling.

I knew I didn’t want to turn my back on OT, as I still loved it’s philosophy and values, but I was unclear where and who to turn to. COT seemed too NHS focused and role emerging work had been briefly covered on the course, but I didn’t really feel prepared to manage this. During my time at university I had got to know a PHd student in Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).

I understood her work as an ABA consultant involved focusing on positive behavioural strategies to systemically teach academic and everyday living skills. I knew she specialised in working with children with autism and this fitted my conviction to work to improve the outcomes and everyday experiences › www.

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› of families affected by autism. So, after a few weeks of OT job hunting, I took self-employed work as an ABA Therapist for two families. I quickly got started with some initial training and then the rest was facilitated on the job under the supervision of an ABA consultant. I worked within family homes and school environments for about 30 hours a week.

What I learnt from ABA This type of work put me in a position where I got to really understand the unmet needs and the impact of everyday difficulties on all the members of families with young children with autism. It was also useful as it enabled me to observe the effects upon a child’s outcomes when a parent is overwhelmed and low in their parenting confidence.

Coaching into clarity Returning from my travels, I came across Jen Gash of OTCoach.

Her strap line of supporting OTs to be ‘creative and courageous’ caught my attention. I got in touch to arrange a chat and quickly got started with some face-to-face and telephone coaching. The first few sessions were uncomfortable for me.

Since qualifying I had felt inadequate and an outsider to the OT community.

I had used supervision from a combination of ABA consultants and private OTs, but had done this out of necessity. I tried to stay under the OT radar, which was very easy and engaged with the ABA community instead. I was fearful of being found out as an OT imposter and avoided connecting with others.

I knew I didn’t want to turn my back on OT, as I still loved it’s philosophy and values, but I was unclear where and who to turn to

50

Initially I found ABA work provided lots of overlap with OT and strengthened my skills and knowledge of positive behavioural strategies. I began working within a dual ABA/OT role which initially made sense as it allowed me to draw on both skill and knowledge sets. However this became confusing and dissatisfying in practice as my boundaries and clinical reasoning where blurred. It also led me to fall into a trap of working on isolated skills, such as handwriting and bike riding, detached from the identities and values of the individual child and family.

Working with Jen was key to confidently developing OT work that is sustainable and meaningful to me and my clients. Doing this ‘from the inside’ by drawing upon my personal experience of living with autism and involvement in my local autism community has been great, as has reconnecting with the OT world. Fear of judgement and comparison to others melted away and now rarely rears its ugly head. I’m proud of the work I do and the outcomes I support families to achieve. I would urge any OTs feeling lost and disconnected should consider working with someone like Jen.

I knew I needed to gain perspective on my work and the role of OT within the autism community so I went travelling around Nepal. 12 weeks of hiking, yoga and meditation renewed my passion for OT. The break from work and the Western world, gave me the perspective I badly needed in order to redesign my work.

Getting into business Earlier this year I participated in the COT roadshow on entrepreneurship in OT and I found the content a little limited and behind the times. My husband runs a marketing company and has pushed me to get involved with the local business community so perhaps the comparison is a little

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meaningful ot

unfair. It has only been in the last year that I have perceived my independent work to be a business, and engaged with the local business community for information and support.

This has been hugely helpful in improving the sustainability of the work I do and filling in the gaps of what I found from the College of Occupational Therapists and the peer OT network.

One of the benefits of working in independent practice is the ability to create a diverse and exciting range of CPD activities. The most significant course I participated in this year was ‘Certified Networker’ run by a company called ‘Referral Institute’. Over 10 weekly half day sessions I created a word of mouth marketing plan. This involved going back to the roots of why I do what I do, business planning of vision and mission, strategising what other professionals I can build into my support and referral network. One of the biggest learning outcomes for me was pinning down a pass-on-able explanation of what OT is and its value for the general public and other professionals.

Bristol Autism Support (BAS). I began my involvement as a member seeking support for my own family experience with my brother. I have developed both paid and unpaid work opportunities with the organisation. I value the access to a community of over 380 members who give me fantastic insight into their perspective of NHS services and their unmet client needs. My involvement with BAS supports my ability to build an OT service that has a sustainable impact and direct community development outcomes.

Looking back I wish I had built up a diverse support network earlier to avoid feelings of isolation and self-doubt. I wish someone had noticed I was getting lost into another profession and I wish I had seen role models of OTs doing it differently in the early days of qualifying.

Over the last 3 and half years, I’ve noticed how far behind the curve OT is in terms of adapting to the changing climate in h e a l t h a n d e d u c a t i o n . Th e Physiotherapy profession, for example, has cultivated a culture which nurtures and promotes independent practice. I’ve picked up a cautious and snobby attitude towards independent practice within the OT community, based on fear and an inaccurate idea independent OTs are driven by finance. The current independent OT community is small but in order to thrive as a profession in the UK I see it needs to grow significantly and pull together its’ learning.

The future is bright Since the summer I have been focusing upon my OT work, and do a little ABA work for regular monthly income that I can rely on whilst I build my reputation and referral network. My income is below what I would earn as a Band 5 in the NHS, however the future is looking bright and my recent focus on my commercial acumen is reducing the amount of time I need to spend marketing and chasing new work.

My current work includes private OT work for families within their homes and the child’s school environment, where enabling the support network around the child or young person through coaching and support in skill and knowledge development is as important as enabling the child. I also cultivate a very clear strengths based approach. This family work focuses on empowering the main carer to take the time to analyse and address their own wellbeing and its impact upon their child’s outcomes. I create and facilitate parent education workshops, equipping parents with skills and knowledge to feel more confident interpreting their child’s behaviour and plan for the future. I also facilitate group and one-to-one parent sessions where the purpose is often to dissolve any overwhelm with their family situation and needs.

Although I’ve found life tough and wild outside the NHS, I believe there’s a huge opportunity for working with individuals, communities and organisations in fresh and meaningful ways. My journey has resulted in more meaningful work for me, and my clients receiving what they perceive as a relevant and fresh family-centred service.

So although it’s been tough I still don’t regret entering independent practice straight after qualifying.

Please do get in touch via the details below with any questions or comments. ■ Suzi Sandford, PgDip OT (AC09 Cardiff Uni, nee Slater) Autism OT 07725837455, suzi.sandford@autism-ot.com, www.autism-ot.com

I am also a director of a Community Interest Company called

Follow Suzi on Twitter @Autism_OT

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23/12/2014 00:35

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childrens products

Childrens

Product focus We take a look at some of the innovative products available for children with disabilities

Fatframe The Fatframe offers great protection for your iPad when the kids are playing with it. You don’t have to worry about them dropping it or throwing it, as the robust and hardwearing frame is bouncy, soft and spongy offering all the protection your tablet needs. It’s even chewable and easy to wipe clean. Another great feature is the cleverly designed handles making it easy for kids to hold and transport.

The Fatframe is made from high quality EVA, a durable material which is non toxic, BPA, lead, latex and PVC free. Suitable for use with the iPad 2, 3 and 4.

Available in coral and blue. Prices from £25.99 Fatframe, contact@fatframe.co.uk, www.fatframe.co.uk

‘P’ pod The ‘P’ pod offers a whole different seating experience for those with specialised seating needs and is great for a range of ages from infants to young adults. This innovative beanbag incorporates a specialist seat to provide optimum support for disabled children and young adults that have limited posture control. It comes with two types of seat – a standard moulded seat and a custom moulded seat for children who have more complex postural needs. Additional features include a

growth liner so that the ‘P’ Pod grows with the child, a flipover headrest that offers support for those with limited head control and a foot tray for children who do not like their feet to be left dangling. You can also get a height adjustable tray and a mobile base that allows you to move the child from room to room without disrupting them.

The ‘P’ Pod can also be embroidered with the child’s name, favourite band or football team making each one individual. The seat comes in a range of colours in plush velour fabric so it can be made to match the child’s bedroom or the décor of the family home.

Specialised Orthotic Services 01283 812860 enquiries@specialorthotic.com www.specialisedorthoticservices.co.uk

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22/12/2014 11:51

childrens products

Gripper Soles These colourful and quirky shoes have a soft rubber sole for enhanced traction indoors on wood and tile floors and are also durable enough to use outdoors and at the playground.

They fit snuggly around the child’s foot and also allow them to feel the ground underneath. The breathable cotton upper allows kids to have complete freedom of movement and the ability to dress themselves without fiddling with laces or Velcro straps, giving them confidence to be independent. The socks are available in a number of fun designs and are all machine washable.

Available from a number of UK stockists. Prices vary.

Gripper Soles www.grippersoles.com

Nesting Tables Quest 88 Nesting Tables are designed to offer therapists simple, practical solutions for the children’s gym.

They can be used as aids for sitting, standing, stepping and cruising. The set of 4 tables nestle on a mobile platform for storage. Each table is manufactured from quality grade ply and numbered and colour coded.

height table and/or cruise around the table for play • Use one of the tables as a footrest to promote alignment and lower extremity weight-bearing when the child’s feet do not touch the ground • Stagger the heights of the tables to simulate steps and practice going up and down a set of stairs, crawling or stepping.

Prices from £295 for a set of 4 Nesting tables Quest 88, 0844 800 8886 www.quest88.com

Nesting Tables can be used in many ways to support therapeutic activities. Including: • Use one table as a seat and one table as a support surface for play or fine motor activities • Pull-to-stand and then stand with the support of the appropriate

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22/12/2014 11:52

Scotia Cot If your child is coming out of hospital and needs a lot of medical care then this is the product for you, enabling you to administer care whilst the child is asleep.

Don’t bend to pick up the child, let the Scotia cot lift the baby up to you.

The Scotia cot comes with high/low and head raise functions for feeding

and reflux problems. It is attractive and will compliment a traditional nursery environment whilst maintaining the functionality needed for care.

safe environment for your child.

Centrobed, 01233 635 353 sales@centrobed.com www.centrobed.com

This white cot is made of tulip wood with a hand painted finish and comes complete with a mattress. The Scotia is a conventional looking cot and will blend into any room providing a

Excel Elise Travel Buggy The Excel Elise Travel Buggy is a compact, collapsible aluminium buggy. This simplified folding frame lightweight stroller is made of high quality aluminium, is easy to fold and compact to carry. There is an extensive range of accessories for the Excel Elise Travel Buggy such as a rain screen, a foot muff, insert pads and a hood. It provides excellent protection for children in all weather conditions. Available in red or grey.

In short, the Excel Elise Travel Buggy is a trendy, easy to carry buggy that provides a child with safety and comfort and a parent or carer with an easy to use buggy option.

Prices from £185 Van OS Medical, 01977 681400 sales@vanosmedical.com, www.vanosmedical.com

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childrens products

Introducing MERU – ready-made and custom products to help with communication, interaction and mobility MERU is a specialist charity that offers design and engineering solutions, backed up by input from occupational therapists, to create products when nothing else exists to meet a need.

As well as working with people with disabilities and parents of disabled children to create bespoke items MERU also offers ready-made products that provide solutions to common issues.

These include:

Flexzi - funky, flexible gadget holders Flexzi is an adjustable support system for items like buddy buttons, iPads, mobile phones, remote controls and sat navs. Different Flexzis are available with single, double or triple flexible plastic segments that allow perfect positioning of devices. They come with different stability options, including a table-top stand, a lightweight eco-clamp or a heavy duty clamp that’s ideal for use with smartphones, cameras or sat navs on off-road wheelchairs.

With its standard 9-pin D-connector, Moozi can be used to drive any wheelchair with a switch-type controller (such as the PGDT OMNI system).

It can also be used to control other kinds of multiple switch activated equipment (with similar voltage/current requirements and adaptors where necessary).

Moozi from MERU Moozi is simple to position on a tray or table, using Velcro or a non-slip mat. It has a smooth, light sliding action so even young children will soon use it with ease. Its low profile allows the hand to rest in a natural position so it is very comfortable to use. Moozi is also suitable for visually impaired users as it has tactile features that help with finding the right direction.

56 www.

To use the Moozi as a computer mouse, you will need to purchase a USB adaptor. We recommend the Woodpecker, available from www.techcess.co.uk, a small hardware interface that lets you connect the Moozi to a computer.

Popz switches MERU also sells a range of switches – ‘Popz’ and the waterproof ‘Aqua Popz’ - which are versatile, robust and tactile.

Children can use Popz switches to

independently participate in games or to interact with adapted toys as part of the crucial play and exploration stages of development, and also to control their environment by working appliances such as music players, fans, lights or televisions. Popz are ideal for use with custom and bespoke equipment, and have a standard 3.5mm jack plug which can be used with a growing range of off the shelf device interfaces and switch adapted toys, such as those available from www.inclusive. co.uk – MERU also offers Splatz non-slip switch holders. ■ More information is available at www.meru.org.uk or call MERU on 01372 725 203.

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23/12/2014 00:47

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• Drink Rite allows careful fluid delivery without having to tilt the head.

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23/12/2014 08:42

Problem: Moving a seated person up to a table on a dining chair

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Introduction to Professional Report Writing for OTs

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To book any of these training courses please visit www.accessindependent.co.uk or call James Derbyshire on 01223 229091.

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ot@accessindependent.co.uk www.accessindependent.co.uk

23/12/2014 11:39

t Join m t The OT Magazine m t online m today

get connected

Website Visit us at www.ot-magazine.co.uk to keep up to date with news stories, training days, events and exhibitions, the latest products and much more!

Updated daily, The OT Magazine website will provide OTs with a useful resource filled with relevant information, interesting stories and innovative products entering the market.

Want to sign up for your FREE copy of The OT Magazine? Simply fill in your details online and we will ensure you get a copy every issue.

Want to get in touch to share your thoughts on the magazine? You will find all of our contact details on our website and we would love to hear from you!

Social Media You can also keep up to date with The OT Magazine and contact us on Facebook and Twitter: ‘Like’ us on facebook, simply search The OT Magazine Follow us on Twitter @ot-magazine www.

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22/12/2014 11:59

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Moving & Handling People 2015 Safeguarding standards, sharing the vision Tuesday 27th & Wednesday 28th January The Human Rights Action Centre, London EC2A 3EA

The essential learning event for health and social care professionals • Fully CPD-certified • Evidence-based solutions and expert analysis • Practical, interactive workshops • Seminars on latest issues • Open Forum with peers and equipment suppliers

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23/12/2014 08:43

Events calendar 2015 Centrobed Training Open Day

Moving and Handling People 2015

Date: 22 January 2015 Venue: Centrobed Ltd, Anglo House, Wotton Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 6LN Cost: Free

Date: 27 – 28 January 2015 Venue: The Human Rights Action

Centre, London, EC2A 3EA Cost: £295 +VAT

The open day will showcase all of the Centrobed products from the Nile Leg Lifter and Alaska Mattress Variator to the Arctic Independent Turning bed and the Timor Chair Bed. The team will be on hand to answer any questions and you can try the products yourself. Open 10:00 - 16:00. To book call Niki on 01233 635353, or email niki@centrobed.com.

The 2015 programme has been designed to address the most urgent issues facing moving and handling practitioners. Taking place over two content-packed days it is fully CPD-certified and incorporates topics suggested by recent Moving & Handling People attendees.

Each delegate will receive a personalised time-table, ensuring that they attend two plenaries, four seminars and four practical, interactive workshops, plus the Open Forum discussion between professionals, manufacturers and suppliers. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

For more information: www.movingandhandlingpeople.co.uk

PromoCon Continence and Stoma Symposium Date: 10th March 2015 Venue: USN Bolton Arena, Arena www.

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events calendar

›

Approach, Horwich, Bolton,

BL6 6LB Cost: £15 per delegate

around Coventry, the opportunity to access products and services that are relevant to them.

This one day event will include a wide range of lectures, workshops on a variety of continence and stoma topics, all delivered by experts in these fields.

There will be over 120 exhibitors offering advice and information on funding, mobility, seating, beds, communication, access, education, toys, transport, sensory, sports and leisure and a wide range of free seminars for parents and professionals.

For more information contact PromoCon

The COT (College of Occupational Therapists) in partnership with Naidex will be delivering cutting edge seminars presented in the new COT Zone.

During the three days, the COT Zone will feature sessions run by experts from the College, as well as the leading lights from the specialist sections, plus a number of external speakers who are leaders in their field.

on 0161 607 8219 or visit www.promocon.co.uk

For more information contact the Disabled Living Foundation on 0161 607 8200, email

Paediatric Moving and Handling Study Day Date: 13th March 2015 Venue: Disabled Living Foundation,

Ground Floor, Landmark House,

Hammersmith Bridge

Road, London, W6 9EJ Cost: £195 +VAT This Paediatric Manual Handling course has been designed especially for staff working with the children in various settings such as nurseries, hospitals, residential and community settings, where the moving and handling of children and young people are part of the daily routine. The course will be beneficial to those wishing to update their knowledge of the mobility needs of children with physical disabilities, newly qualified OTs, PTs, PTAs and OTAs and those involved in social care and reablement services.

info@disabledliving.co.uk or visit www.kidzinthemiddle.co.uk

BAPO Conference Date: 20 – 22 March 2015 Venue: The Point: Lancashire County

Cricket Club, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PX

Cost: See website for the varying

member, non member and

student fees.

For more information: 0141 561 7217,

Living Foundation on 0207 432 8010,

conference@bapo.com, www.bapo.com

email training@dlf.org.uk or visit

Kidz in the Middle Date: Venue:

Time: Cost:

19 March 2015 Jaguar Exhibition Hall, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, CV6 6GE 9.30am – 4.30pm Free

Part of the family of ‘Kidz’ events run by the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) this event offers families with disabled children and professionals who work with disabled children, living in and 62 www.

The COT Zone’s content is tailored to the needs of occupational therapists, therefore only occupational therapists will be permitted entry to these sessions.

For more information: www.naidex.co.uk

The Annual Conference of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) is continuing to develop its strong clinical programme with the continuation of the practical based Sunday workshops. In line with this they are keen to expand their emphasis on individual clinical practice and sharing knowledge from all different environments.

For more information contact the Disabled

www.dlf.org.uk

Aimed at busy practitioners, The COT Zone sessions will enable occupational therapists to learn more about practice, what’s new in policy, and the learning opportunities provided by the College to enable occupational therapists to meet their career aspirations.

Naidex 2015 Date: 28 – 30 April 2015 Venue: NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT Time: 28 April 10am – 5pm 29 April 10am – 5pm 30 April 10am – 4pm Cost: Free The UK’s largest disability, rehabilitation and homecare event with over 300 exhibitors displaying the latest products and services to aid the independent living market.

COT Annual Conference 2015 Date: 30 Jun – 2 Jul 2015 Venue: Brighton Centre, Kings

Road, Brighton, East Sussex,

BN1 2GR Cost: See website for the varying

member, non member and

student fees.

The COT Annual Conference is the only UK occupational therapy peer-reviewed conference. It is an excellent opportunity to meet and hear influential health and social care policy makers, interact with the foremost occupational therapy thinkers and practitioners, contribute to discussions on the future direction of the profession and explore new and different ways to develop their practice.

For more information: 020 8977 7997, admin@conferencecollective.co.uk, www.cotannualconference.org.uk. ■

-magazine.co.uk

61-62 Events Calendar_rt_kw.indd 62

23/12/2014 01:04

Raz AP K Height adjustable chassis K Tension adjustable backrest K Adjustable, moulded seat K SWL 21 stone / 136 kg

Quoddy a bed that grows A paediatric bed needs to fit a child and support all of their growing needs. The Quoddy Paediatric Bed is designed to colour co-ordinate for a child’s room, choose your theme and the frame colour will be coordinated.

The Quoddy will grow with the child, expanding a further two lengths starting from 152cm extending 160cm and then to 183cm. Designed for the paediatric market there are no gaps in the bed ensuring there is no risk of entrapment, and the Quoddy will profile in the correct position for a child.

The attendant propelled shower chair from Raz Call 0845 658 8411 or visit www.wealdenrehab.com/raz to see our extensive range of Raz shower chairs.

152cm

198cm

168cm

www.centrobed.com

Melrose

C-air

Flexi Porter

A fresh approach to healthcare seating

Madison

SK Handling is an independent supplier of Moving and Handling equipment.

Specialising in in-­‐situ slide sheet systems and sit to stand transfer platforms along with a number of small handling aids, we would love to hear from you.

This year we will be attending the OT Show at the NEC, so please come and visit stand A10A and we would be delighted to help.

Rimini Classic

T: 01233 635353

All Repose chairs have been designed to the highest standard. Offering bespoke seating for both health care environments and home, Repose chairs are designed specifically to the users measurements and personal requirements.

C O MFO RT WI T H O UT C OM P ROM I S E • Bespoke chairs designed to the users measurements and needs • Extensive range of health and home chairs catering for different comfort requirements • Interchangeable back and seat cushion options for different pressure care and posture management solutions • 24 hour delivery on some standard rise recliners • A wide range of home and health fabrics.

ad_pages_ot_mag_jan_feb_15.indd 19

Dr Hilary Jones Our In-house Health Advisor

For more information please give us a call:

Tel: 0844 7766001 www.reposefurniture.co.uk

23/12/2014 08:44

Jiraffe_OT_Magazine_210mm_x_297mm.pdf 16/10/2014 16:05:08

Jiraffe specialises in sourcing and providing postural care equipment and support for everybody, whether they’re at home, school, rest or play!

We stick our neck out to provide innovative postural products to people who need a little extra support C

Introducing... the HTS by Rifton

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

With over 30 years experience of working with children and adults with special postural needs, our team are dedicated to bringing you the latest, most innovative and highest quality specialist products out there.

A completely NEW Hygiene and Toileting System.

Hygienic, simple, affordable and adaptable to most toilets, it’s versatility means it can be used on, over and off the toilet.

Finally, there’s a hygiene system that solves the toileting challenge - the HTS.

The Jiraffe range covers all aspects of everyday life from seating and standing, to mobility and sleeping, to therapy and bathroom equipment, and we’re adding new products regularly too. All our products are aimed at enabling people to experience a wider range of activities in comfort.

Email hello@jiraffe.org.uk today to book your free demonstration. Quote code: HTSOT14

For detailed information about the HTS please visit jiraffe.org.uk or scan me now.

How can Jiraffe help you?

Call us for a chat on +44 (0) 114 285 3376 or email us at hello@jiraffe.org.uk For all the info visit jiraffe.org.uk

ad_pages_ot_mag_jan_feb_15.indd 20

jiraffe.org.uk

Seating

Standing

Sleeping

Therapy

Mobility

Bathroom

jiraffe_org

23/12/2014 11:38

Feedback

Your voice counts

T

hank you for taking the time to read The OT Magazine, we hope you have enjoyed it. We are striving to produce a magazine that provides OTs with a useful resource filled with relevant information, interesting articles, innovative products and thoughts and opinions from OTs themselves. We would love to hear your thoughts on The OT Magazine to ensure we are producing a publication that you want to read.

Your help is much appreciated.

IMP ROV ING IND EPE NDE NCE

OCCUPATIO THERAPY ENABLIN NAL G STRATEGY

First Name:

Innovation

IN INDIA

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Taking your skills overseas Jan/Feb 2015

Address:

Postcode:

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Age: under 25

ARY 2015 • ISSUE 2

M indfulness AS AN

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr:

JANUARY/FEBRU

26-40

41-60

over 60

Are you: a) an occupational therapist

b) a professional in the healthcare industry

c) a student of occupational therapy

What would you like to see in The OT Magazine?

• Products • Case studies of products and methods in practice • Columns from OTs • Interviews with OTs from different fields • Research articles • Services available for patients • Information on respite and accessible holidays • Information on events and exhibitions • Information for students • Recruitment section • Other (Please specify)

Are you an independent OT? Yes No What area of occupational therapy do you work in?

What is your overall impression of the first issue of The OT Magazine?

Please post back your completed form to:

The OT Magazine, Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind Est, Glasgow, G46 8JT www.

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23/12/2014 10:49

Subscribe

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JANUARY/FE

IMP ROV ING

IND EPE NDE

BRUARY 2015 • ISSUE 2

NCE

M indfulness AS AN

OCCUPA THERAPY EN TIONAL ABLING ST

W

RATEGY

Innovatio

IN INDIAn

Taking your skills oversea s

e hope you have enjoyed The OT Magazine and have found it informative and enjoyable to read. If you would like to register to receive a FREE copy of the magazine every issue, simply fill in your details and post back this form to the address provided, email ros@2apublishing.co.uk or call 0141 270 8085 and our team will be happy to help you.

Yes! I would like to subscribe Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr: First Name:

The OT Magazine is out every two months and every issue will include a wide range of products, news stories, personal stories and informative articles.

Surname: Address:

If you would like to have your say on what you would like to see in the magazine, see page 65 (other side of this page). We would love to hear your thoughts.

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The OT Magazine, Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind Est, Glasgow, G46 8JT

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What area of OT do you work in?

-magazine.co.uk

23/12/2014 09:29

ad_pages_ot_mag_jan_feb_15.indd 21

23/12/2014 08:44

L U X U RY A S S TA N DA R D

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Side access Remote operated doors and lift Optional air levelling suspension Lowered floor Three seat rear bench

Citroen Berlingo DUO Lowered floor Remote power tailgate and ramp Drive from or travel up front Lowering rear suspension Interchangeable driver & passenger seats

The only full length lowered-floor Caravelle conversion CALL 01626 853050 www.gmcoachwo rk.co.uk GMCoachworkLtd

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23/12/2014 10:48 08:44 10/11/2013