Occupational therapists celebrate awareness week

This week (5-11 November) is national Occupational Therapy Week, and therapists at Addenbrooke’s Hospital are promoting their profession by running a stand in the main hospital concourse.

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people who are ill, disabled or feeling the effects of ageing to do the things that are important to them – such as preparing a meal, working, or undertaking a favourite hobby. There are over 26,000 qualified occupational therapists in the UK.

Occupational therapist Rosaline Wedd explained: “OT is a unique blend of physical and mental health skills despite the area you are working in. It is a very flexible career, you can work with any age group, nationality or gender in just about any environment, with current developments branching out much more in to vocational rehabilitation.”

Leah Conley is currently undertaking her OT training. She said: “I chose a career in OT because of the diversity it offered, job satisfaction, day-to-day challenges and belief in the ethos of OT as well as it being a people-centered career choice.”

Notes to editors

To find out more about occupational therapy, visit the stand in the hospital’s main concourse on Thursday and Friday.
Alternatively, contact the Occupational Therapy department on 01223 216769, visit the Addenbrooke’s website (www.addenbrookes.org.uk) or visit the College of Occupational Therapists’ website (www.cot.org.uk).
The Occupational Therapy department runs monthly work experience days where people can gain an insight into the role of occupational therapy by shadowing an OT for the day. Please contact the department on the number above if you would like to find out more.

8 November 2006

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.