Guess what? For Occupational Therapy week

18-Nov-2011

South London Healthcare NHS Trust’s Occupational Therapists (OTs) used a ‘guess the use of the equipment’ competition at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, to celebrate National OT week 21-25 October 2011.

The aim was to enlighten the public and patients about the value of Occupational Therapy and the range of services it provides.

Lionel Hoselitz, who has worked in OT for seven and a half years, says “We tried to think of a way to attract attention, and these peculiar looking items would definitely do that!  In the competition was a tap turner, sock aid, leg lifter and bed lever. 

The competition was won by Yolande Potgeiter (Dietetics), who was presented with a big box of chocolates. 

Lionel added ‘It’s a very rewarding career and a number of people who visited the stand were interested in it.  Occupational therapy isn’t a particularly well understood profession by the public.  OT week is used as an opportunity to enlighten people about our role in the hospital and community.  Put simply, we help people to live as independently as possible. 

“Some of the tools we displayed for OT week already make a big difference to many people but there are so many other ways OT can help enhance independent living.”  

If you think you may benefit from an occupational therapy assessment, ask your GP, or a member of the health and social care team for a referral.  You can also visit www.COT.org.uk to find out more about the profession.