Occupational Therapy

Sunflower Unit
Under ED
Lower Ground Floor

Welcome to Occupational Therapy 

Our Vision Statement:

“A therapeutic profession providing patients with individualised treatments to enable independence and regain function through meaningful activities”

Occupational Therapy aims to maintain or improve the patient’s independence in all activities of daily living (home, work, leisure and self-care). An Occupational Therapist supports people to overcome barriers caused by physical and/or cognitive conditions to enable them to engage in activities and occupations that matter to them.

Inpatient Services 

Our inpatient team of Occupational Therapists support patients who are currently admitted to Kingston Hospital and who are experiencing functional changes following an acute episode of ill health.  We work collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure best outcomes for patients.

Occupational Therapy intervention may include:

• Interviews with the patient and/or relevant others to gather information about the patient’s home environment, pre-admission ability, current ability and support.
• Assessment of level of functioning on ward.

• Recommendations to promote independence and safety, this may include but not limited to: functional practice, equipment and aids to make performance possible or easier, advice on strategies to support independence and safety.
• Access visits and/or home assessments based on the functional needs of the patient as indicated through the assessment process.

Areas of function that Occupational Therapists can look at include:

• Functional mobility including falls risks
• Transfers – for example getting from bed to a chair 
• Personal care such as washing, dressing and grooming
• Cognition

Please note that the above lists are not intended to be prescriptive and that any assessment and subsequent intervention is individualised based on the patient’s unique functional needs during their admission.

Inpatient Occupational Therapy Specialities

Care of the Elderly
Care of the Elderly occupational therapists work across the elderly wards to provide assessment and intervention with people aged 65+. The service aims to maximise independence in daily activities, enhance quality of life and support discharge from hospital.

Frailty and Admission Avoidance Team
Occupational Therapist working in frailty and admission avoidance team (ED & AAU) aims to provide the appropriate and timely intervention within patients’ short hospital stay. OTs work closely with other professional and community services to enable patient to be discharged from hospital with adequate provisions such as equipment, self-management strategies, further
rehabilitation and care support if required.

Stroke
Occupational therapists working in stroke aim to assist patients regain function/movement of their limbs in order to engage in daily tasks such as washing, dressing, toileting, feeding or making a meal.  We also consider how a patient's cognitive deficits (attention, memory, problem solving, decision making, judgment, concept formation, insight) resulting from the stroke affect their function, and aim to improve this so that patients can be independent in daily activities.

Surgery
The Occupational Therapy team in acute surgery services work with patients to enable them to achieve their optimal independence engaging in activities of daily living following their surgery. The OT service aims to work closely with patients throughout their hospital stay to ensure patient are able to manage their personal care needs, physical transfers and support with minor home equipment to ensure independence at home post discharge from hospital’’.

Specialist Medicine
The Specialist Medicine Occupational Therapy teamwork across the acute medical wards to provide intervention to patients with Respiratory, Cardiac and Gastroenterological conditions. The service provides a patient centred approach to enable independence in activities of daily living, help to manage long term conditions, maximise quality of life and support discharge from hospital.

Orthopaedics
Within Orthopaedics, the Occupational therapy service provides rehabilitation for adults following their Orthopaedic procedure. Our aim is to maximize patients' post-operative strength, engagement in daily function and activities of daily living to enhance overall independence following treatment.

Community Patients

Unfortunately, we are unable to assist patients already in the community. If you believe you require Occupational Therapy input, please contact your GP in the first instance who can refer you to the appropriate service within your local borough.

Occupational Therapy Equipment

Equipment issued by Kingston Hospital is done so on behalf of our community partners and therefore it is recommended you contact the equipment provider to arrange any returns:

Leaflet Archives

Find an archive of all our Patient information leaflets here: https://kingstonhospital.nhs.uk/pt_department/ot/

Outpatient Services (Hand Therapy)

Our outpatient team is dedicated to providing specialist hand therapy service for adults and paediatrics. We manage patients with a variety of hand injuries and chronic conditions.

Hand Therapy intervention may include:

• Thermoplastic splints
• Exercise programmes
• Scar or oedema management (depending on the condition)

Through the rehabilitation process we aim to return patients to their optimum function.

Referral Process:

Our referrals come from a variety of clinical sources which include GP practices, Consultants and other hospitals if the patient is local to the Kingston locality.

Patient Contact Information

Tel: 020 8934 2518

As the Occupational Therapy Department at Kingston Hospital, we adhere to the value of Kingston Hospital Trust, which inform our professional practice.

Our Values:

• Caring
• Safe
• Responsible
• Value Each Other
• Inspiring

Patient contact information

Tel: 020 8934 2518