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Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages, helping them to carry out the activities that they need or want to do in order to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

There are over 26,000 qualified occupational therapists in the UK. They are highly trained professionals, performing a vital role in hospitals, social care, local communities, schools, businesses, prisons, charities, and various other settings.

Occupational therapists work with people who have physical, mental and/or social problems, either from birth or as a result of accident, illness or ageing. Their aim is to enable people to achieve as much as they can for themselves, so they get the most out of life. When people cannot do things which are important to them - such as getting dressed, having a shower, going to work, socialising or undertaking a favourite hobby - an occupational therapist can help them in many ways, based on each individual person’s needs and lifestyle. Their work could involve:

Giving advice on how the home or workplace environment can be changed (for example, ensuring wheelchair ramps are installed)
Helping people to learn new ways of doing things (for e.g., teaching someone with reduced stamina how to conserve energy when performing daily activities)
Adapting materials or equipment (for e.g., adjusting a knife for someone after they have lost hand dexterity)
Consulting in schools to help children overcome writing difficulties and other learning challenges
Assisting an ageing couple to care for one another in their own home
Helping someone suffering from depression to return to the workplace
Travelling to developing countries or war-torn regions to set up rehabilitation programmes
Working with disadvantaged groups, for example the homeless, in their own community

Work settings

NHS and independent hospitals
Person's own home independent practice
Hospices
Local community services e.g. GP practices
Social services and social work departments
Charities and voluntary agencies
Equipment companies
Government agencies
Housing departments
Industrial and commercial organisations
Schools and colleges
Wheelchair services

Practice area / specialisms

Coping with stress and anxiety
Alcohol and substance misuse
Assistive technology services
Burns, plastic surgery
Cardiac rehabilitation
Care management
Community disability services
Community mental health teams
Eating disorders
Employment rehabilitation

Practice settings include

Mental health services
Learning disability services
Childrens services
Assistive technology services
Vocational rehabilitation
Older people's services
Terminal and palliative care services

Where can I find one?

Ask a doctor to refer you to a state-registered occupational therapist. Or look for the number of your local hospital or social services in the telephone directory and ask for the occupational therapy department.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Alternatively you could contact an independent occupational therapists for assistance. A directory of OT's can be found at the specialist section 'Occupational Therapists in Independent Practice' (OTIP) website.

http://www.otip.co.uk/index.htm.

Enquiry Line: 0800 389 4873.

The cost of treatment can be covered by the National Health Service or, if you are a private patient by your insurance company.

The College of Occupational Therapists strongly recommends that occupational therapy services should only be provided by occupational therapists on the Health Professions Council (HPC) register. To view the HPC register, log onto http://www.hpc-uk.org

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