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PRESS RELEASE: 4 October 2005

Occupational Therapy Week comes to Addenbrooke's

This week (2-8 October 2005) is national Occupational Therapy Week, and therapists at Addenbrooke's are celebrating by running a stand in the hospital's outpatients' reception area to raise awareness of the profession.

Occupational therapists (OTs) treat people of all ages with a range of physical or mental difficulties, in hospital and community settings. They aim to improve everyday function and enable people to do the things that are important to them. Their practice can involve adapting home environments, advising on coping strategies and engaging people in rehabilitation.

David Baker, Senior Occupational Therapist, treats a patient

Rosie Broome (newly-qualified OT) said: “Having recently qualified as an occupational therapist, I am greatly enjoying putting my three years of training into practice. I am currently working in the hand therapy department helping to improve people’s abilities to use their hands following injury or illness. I feel privileged to work and problem-solve with a range of people to optimise their potential to live and work as they wish”.

Karen Merrison (senior OT) said: “I have been an OT for over six years. I enjoy the variety of the job, not only working with people in hospital, but also in specialist areas such as stroke rehabilitation, paediatrics and mental health. I find the job very rewarding. Most of us take our ability to carry out everyday tasks, such as making a meal for granted. People come to us no longer able to complete tasks that are important to them. Through advice or equipment, you can empower individuals to reach their goals and to live independently. Everyday at work is different, as no two people you meet are the same.”

To find out more about Occupational Therapy, visit the stand in the outpatients' reception area on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday during the promotion week. It will be manned between 11am and 2pm. The Occupational Therapy department also runs monthly work experience days, where a person can gain an insight into the role of Occupational Therapy by shadowing an OT for the day.

Alternatively, contact the Occupational Therapy department 01223 216769, visit the Addenbrooke's website (www.addenbrookes.org.uk) or visit the College of Occupational Therapists' website (www.cot.org.uk).

For further press/media information contact: PR & Communications Department, Box 53, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ; Tel: 01223 274 433; Fax: 01223 257 143; Minicom: 01223 274 604.