NORTH Cumbria Integrated Care has joined the rest of the UK in celebrating Occupational Therapy Week.
The aim of the new campaign, 'lift up your everyday' is to give people the knowledge to make changes that will have a positive impact on their lives.
The awareness week took place Monday, November 7 and Sunday 13 November and was created by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
Nort Cumbria Integrated Care also joined in on the campaign by explaining the vital done by occupational therpaists at stands that were set up at the Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital.
To showcase the unique contribution that occupational therapists make in supporting people, Ciara Watson, an OT at the Cumberland Infirmary explained the duties of her role.
She said: "On a typical day, an OT would attend the ward handover in the morning, identify new patients that require OT input, whether this be due to a fall, stroke or admission due to not coping at home. They would then prioritise their caseload for the day and begin their assessments.
“Assessments may include; personal care, for example, getting washed and dressed; domestic tasks, for example meal preparation; ability to move around and transfer on and off furniture; identify any equipment that may help to facilitate independence."
"An individual treatment plan and a programme of rehabilitation is put together following these assessments."
Ms Watson also explained why she chose a career as an occupational therapist.
She said: "I finished my A-levels and a few shadowing opportunities came up at my local hospital to let me observe an OT.
"This was very beneficial and confirmed my decision to study Occupational Therapy. Other routes are available, for example, you can complete a BTEC in health and social care and then go to university.
"I studied BSc Occupational Therapy at the University of Cumbria where I have recently just qualified in my new Occupational Therapist role."
Ms Watson is just one of the occupational therpaists that works across the North Cumbria Intergrated Care trust but she believes that working in the role has its own rewards.
She said: "Every day is different and it is a great feeling knowing we are making a difference to patients’ lives."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here