OTs attend daily board rounds, where they receive referrals from the MDT. Referrals are also accepted via Erecord, or telephone. Patients are also able to self-refer.
Patients tend to have complex and highly complex conditions. Treatment can be curative or palliative. OTs see patients at every stage of their illness, including at the end of life. Patients are assisted in adapting to new circumstances within an active process of re-adaptation involving assessment, reassessment, readjustment and the introduction of new techniques and equipment.
Common conditions seen at the NCCC by occupational therapy are:
- Breast cancer
- Gynaecological cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Metastatic spinal cord compression
- Head and neck cancer
- Multiple Myeloma
- Leukaemia
- Lymphoma
- CNS cancer
- Metastatic spread of disease
OT within NCCC
The occupational therapy team aim to provide a high-quality service to the Northern Centre for Cancer Care. The OT provides comprehensive assessment and intervention to support patients to adapt to different levels of function and the impact of symptoms such as fatigue. Central to the work of the OT is an awareness of the need to provide rehabilitation at key points to patients on the cancer pathway.
The OT:
- Provides a bridge between hospital and community liaising closely with a number of community services to co-ordinate the patient’s discharge.
- Works collaboratively with patients, family, carers and the MDT to provide education, advice and support on appropriate management techniques and strategies e.g. fatigue management, moving and handling, pressure care, and cognitive function.
- Ensures the provision of any necessary aids or equipment and referral to external agencies for housing adaptations and support services.
- Responds to rapid changes in function and supports the patient to achieve their goals
Interventions are individually focused on purposeful activities of daily living and consider the psychosocial and environmental impact on a persons function
Interventions include:
- Fatigue management
- Strategies to manage anxiety which impacts function
- Self maintenance (padl, dadl)
- Management of expectations and future planning
- Environmental risk assessment
- Equipment provision
- Moving & handling
- Carer education
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