Frequently asked questions about occupational therapy services

Emergency Department (A&E) and Medical Assessment Unit (MAU)
The Occupational Therapy Department provides a 'Rapid Response' service to patients visiting A&E and MAU. Patients who have minor injuries that affect their mobility and safety in the home are given advice and equipment as appropriate to enable them to have a rapid and safe return home.

Brain Injury Outreach Occupational Therapy Service
T his is a long-term service for outpatients who have acquired brain injury and live in the Cambridge area. The Occupational Therapy Department provides a comprehensive physical and cognitive assessment and client-based goal settings in order to maximise our clients' potential in all daily living skills including those that are vocational.

Care of the Elderly Unit
Occupational therapists in the Care of the Elderly Unit treat patients who have a variety of medical conditions. Those patients identified as needing occupational therapy are assessed thoroughly by an occupational therapist, and treatment is then tailored to the patient's needs. The focus of rehabilitation is to increase the functional independence of a patient and prepare them to leave hospital.

Disablement Services Centre - eg for amputees
An occupational therapist works with the prosthetics team to provide assessment, treatment and advice for patients who have had an amputation or were born with a limb deficiency (DSC home page).

General Medicine Unit
Occupational therapists in the General Medicine Unit treat patients who have a variety of medical conditions including those of general medical problems, respiratory (breathing) disorders, cardiology (heart) and psychological problems (Medicine home page).

Hands
Occupational Therapists working in the Hand Therapy Team see patients following trauma and/or surgery to the hand. The aim is to maximise movement, strength, and function of the injured hand, to enable the patient to return to their normal daily living skills. This is achieved through the use of specific exercises and work-related activities. This service is provided predominantly on an outpatient basis where individual appointments are made at a time convenient to the patient.

Neurosciences
A specialist inpatient service is provided to those patients who are based in NCCU (home page), the neurosurgical or the neurological wards in order to optimise and improve the independence of the patient (Neurosciences home page).

Oncology (cancer)
The occupational therapy service for oncology provides assessment and treatment of patients who have a wide variety of cancer diagnoses. The emphasis is on assessment before the patient leaves hospital (Oncology home page).

Orthopaedic Unit
All patients who are admitted to the Orthopaedic Unit will be seen by an occupational therapist, as appropriate. The occupational therapist is involved in the discharge planning of the patients, and may be able to provide any equipment necessary to help the independence of the patient. Home assessments can be carried out if indicated.

Rehabilitation and the Lewin Stroke Unit
The Lewin Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit was officially opened in October 2000 and has 20 beds within the existing Lewin Unit for patients who have had a stroke. Occupational therapists provide an intensive specialist service as part of a multidisciplinary team to patients based on the Unit. Patients will, wherever possible, be included in both setting their goals and planning for their discharge from hospital.

The main focus is the assessment and treatment of the patients' occupation performance. This is with a view to increase their independence in order that they might return to home (or a homely setting) on discharge.

The Brain Injury Outreach Occupational Therapy Service
This is a long-term service for outpatients who have acquired brain injury and live in the Cambridge area. The Occupational Therapy Department provide a comprehensive physical and cognitive assessment, and client-based goal settings, in order to maximise our clients' potential in all daily living skills including those that are vocational.

Rheumatology
The occupational therapists based in the Rheumatology Department see patients with a variety of rheumatological conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and back pain. Treatment might include the provision of hand splints that help support and rest affected joints when they are painful. The occupational therapist is involved in the discharge planning of the patients, and may be able to provide any equipment necessary to help the independence of the patient.

Surgery
The Occupational Therapy service for Surgery provides assessment and treatment of inpatients in the surgical units. The occupational therapist is involved in the discharge planning of the patients, and will provide advice and recommendations on any equipment necessary to help the independence of the patient. Home assessments are carried out if indicated (Surgical Services home page).