What do Occupational Therapists (OT’s) do?
Occupational Therapists, also known as OTs, work with patients of any age (including children) who may have a condition which affects their daily life and activities. These conditions may include arthritis, cancer, neurological conditions, falls, stroke disease and fractures. The OT will work with a patient to improve their level of safety and independence when carrying out the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) that are important to them.
The Occupational Therapist will assess a patient to decide if intervention is appropriate. If so, the OT and the patient will agree on goals or outcomes which they will work towards. The OT may be required to provide “rehabilitation” support. This could include working with a patient to improve their independence with toileting, bathing, kitchen skills or accessing social activities and employment.
Aids and Adaptations for your home
In many situations the patient will require a piece of equipment to enable them to either become independent in a task or to reduce the risk of injury when undertaking Activities of Daily Living. This may include the provision of simple equipment to assist a patient to use a toilet or wash independently or safely.
In some cases a patient will require more complex intervention, for example, a ramp may be required for wheelchair access, washing facilities may require to be adapted or a stair lift may be required. The occupational therapist will recommend appropriate interventions and will discuss financial implications if there are any.
How do I arrange to see an Occupational Therapist?
If you are in hospital and there are concerns about your ability with daily living activities or being able to return home you will be referred to the OT by any member of the hospital team.
If you are living at home and you think an Occupational Therapist may be able to help you or someone you care for please contact your local team.
Referrals are prioritised according to need and you may be asked a series of questions to enable the OT to ascertain the urgency of your request – this is to ensure that patients who are at greater risk are seen most promptly. Factors that may be taken into account are a patient's medical condition and prognosis, whether they live alone, if they are it risk of injury, if they require input prior to being discharged from hospital or if there is a risk of ‘carer breakdown’
Where are Occupational Therapists based?
Historically occupational therapists were based either in hospital settings (Health) or in community settings (Social Work). Argyll and Bute Occupational Therapy services are now integrated and this means that the services are no longer separate. The benefit of this is that the same service will be involved with a patient whether they are in a hospital, attending a clinic, or in the community. In many cases the OT who assesses a patient in hospital will be the same OT who follows up their care in the community.
Your Integrated Occupational Therapy Service is based within your local hospital, social work department or Integrated Care Team (ICT). Please see below for contact details.
Area Occupational Therapy Contact Details
Helensburgh and Lomond
Integrated Care Team
Jeanie Deans Unit
93 East King Street
Helensburgh
G84 7BU
Tel: 01436 655052
Oban, Lorn and the Isles
Lorn and Isles Hospital
Glengallan road
Oban
PA34 4HH
Tel: 01546 605517
Cowal
OT Department
Cowal Community Hospital
360 Argyll Street
Dunoon
PA23 7RL
Tel: 01369 763450
Isle of Bute
OT Department
Victoria Hospital Annex
Rothesay
PA20 0HD
Tel: 01546 60 5517
Kintyre
Occupational Therapy Department
Campbeltown Hospital
Ralston Road
Campbeltown
PA28 6LE
Tel: 01586 555811
Mid Argyll
OT Department
Mid Argyll Community Hospital
Blarbuie Road
Lochgilphead
Argyll, PA31 8JZ
Tel: 01546 703127
Islay
OT Department
Kilarrow House
Bowmore
PA43 7HW
Tel: 01546 60 5517
What about equipment?
There is presently no charge for occupational therapy equipment but you will need to be assessed by occupational therapy staff before equipment is issued. If you are concerned about any equipment you may already have or if equipment develops a fault please contact your local team for reassessment or replacement of equipment. If your equipment is no longer required please contact your local team to arrange for it to be uplifted. Occupational therapy departments can be contacted Mon-Fri from 8.30 to 4.30.
What if I am unhappy about any aspect of the service?
We welcome any feedback concerning any part of our work. Please speak to your own OT in the first instance. If this is not appropriate or your comments are of a more general or strategic nature, please contact us using our online enquiry form.
Occupational Therapists are bound by their professional code of ethics to treat any personal information they need to know to do their job, as completely confidential.
OT’s participate in the Single Shared Assessment procedure expected of all caring disciplines nowadays, but the details of what can be shared, and with who, is explained and agreed before information is passed on.