Royal College of Occupational Therapists visit innovative NELFT services

The occupational therapists were showed around various services, demonstrating the high standard of clinical specialty, dedication, and passion of the teams.

The team were invited to the technician’s workshop at the Wheelchair and Specialist Seating Service where equipment is tailored to the needs of individual patients.

The group also visited the Environmental Controls Service where they tried out eye-gaze technology and heard about how utilising specialist tech - such as the Possum System - changed lives and gave back independence to patients.

At the Regional Prosthetics Service, there was the opportunity to take part in a competitive game of Connect4 as a service user practiced with his new prosthetic technology. The group visited the Ainslie Rehab Unit, where they joined in some seated strengthening exercises and learnt how to prevent falls. 

The group were also able to see first-hand how the Coping Through Football project supports the wellbeing of adults and young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

Occupational therapists in leadership roles discussed the strengths, challenges, and opportunities for the specialism both at NELFT and across the NHS and the ways RCOT can support.

CJ Odeleye, Head of Finance, said:

“Thank you to the NELFT teams for organising this visit.  It was an insightful and eye-opening day, from seeing real life experiences and understanding the impact of the occupational therapy in a real way through the work being done by occupational therapists.

“At the same time being able to reflect on some of the challenges the Trust is facing as well as across the profession. We left feeling a sense of passion and inspired to continue to champion the profession and continue to raise the profile for all occupational therapists.”

Joe Brunwin, RCOT Policy and Public Affairs Lead for England, said: 

"At RCOT, our vision is for an occupational therapy workforce that is based primarily within communities, working closely with local populations to meet their health and care needs. It was wonderful to see NELFT demonstrating how this vision can be a reality.

“The services we saw are a perfect example of the transformative impact occupational therapists have, day in day out, across a wide range of settings. Thank you very much to the team who took time out of their day to speak to us and facilitate this visit. I will take my learnings away to ensure that decision makers and policy makers are aware of the power and impact of occupational therapy."

Ruth Mullan, Head of Member Experience at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, said:

"It's difficult to encompass in a short quote the impact of our day of occupational therapy service visits with the NELFT NHS Foundation Trust. We visited a range of teams and met with occupational therapists and support workers across a range of specialist areas and roles. I was struck by everyone’s passion, resourcefulness, innovation, and dedication to deliver the very best that they could for the people and communities that they support. 

"I really appreciated the team’s honesty in discussing workforce and professional challenges, the future of the occupational therapy profession, and how the RCOT can offer support. Thank you so much to Joanne Tyler and the NELFT team for being so welcoming, inspiring and helping us to better understand the incredible work that our members do. I ended the day of visits with the utmost respect for the occupational therapy profession, and equally hugely motivated to get back to work and develop our member support services!"