Mission Matters Issue 3 Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 26
Occupational Therapy
Q&A
How does your team help
translate the Mater’s mission into
practical, day-to-day patient
care?
We aim to provide an excellent patient
experience through high standards of
care, actively adopting the Mater
Mission Values: always Inclusive,
compassionate, respectful, dignified
and patient focused. We aim to
provide the highest standard of
evidence based therapy care within
our resources as part of the wider
MDT team ensuring the patient is at
the core of everything we do.
What are some of the different
ways occupational therapists
interact with patients across the
hospital journey?
Occupational Therapists (OT) are
central to the patient journey from our
Frailty Intervention Team (FIT) in ED
to early intervention in critical care.
Specialist OTs work with patients with
cancer, organ transplants, limb
amputations, spinal injuries,
respiratory conditions, hand therapy,
stroke and neurological services and
head injuries post trauma to name a
few. We assess patient’s functional
level both on and off the ward, and
often incorporate an assessment of the
person’s home.
How does your department work
alongside other health colleagues
to support holistic care for
patients?
Holistic care is a foundational concept
for the occupational therapy
profession. We work alongside our
medical, nursing and Health and
Social Care colleagues to ensure that
the person’s life outside of the medical
event is incorporated into their
treatment and discharge plan.
Laura Binnions: Occupational
Therapist Manager in Charge III
Can you share an example of a
patient interaction or recovery
journey that captures the real
impact occupational therapy can
have?
John (pseudo name) is a visual artist
and experienced a stroke that affected
the dexterity of his left (dominant)
hand. John received occupational
therapy via the Early Supported
Discharge stroke service. Using a
person and occupation-based
approach, his OT designed a hand
rehabilitation programme that
incorporated John’s valued role of
being an artist to promote his brain
and hand’s recovery; a process called
adaptive neuroplasticity. John spent
many, many hours completing tasks
that he and his OT had designed on a
digital art software programme.
Repetition is very important for the
brain’s recovery following a stroke.
John has documented his recovery via
a series of artworks and is currently
exploring options for exhibiting his
latest art project.
What are the biggest challenges
currently facing occupational
therapy services?
The ever growing size of the hospital,
with an increase in patient numbers
and needs is always challenging.
Working with MDT team members to
help us identify patients with OT
needs early in their journey. Good
communication within our team and
with other MDT members has been
essential in helping us manage the
ever increasing patient needs.
We place a large emphasis on
Continuing Professional Development
including professional supervision,
educating student OTs, service quality
improvement projects and training
and research.
What would you most like staff to
know about the role your team
plays within the Mater
community?
The patient is central to the
occupational therapy process, so we
can support you to return to engaging
in the activities that matter to you
most. So you can once again; use your
phone, wash and dress, return to work
and driving, look after your family
participate in your community. That
may look different with new
equipment or techniques, but together
with your OT and MDT team we will
support you through this journey.
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