Occupational Therapy
From December 2004 Occupational Therapy (OT) physically relocated to the NSIC into newly refurbished accommodation. As well as a modern and spacious internal facility, it is intended to provide an external area providing patients with a comprehensive range of surfaces and gradients to learn to deal with and other recreational activities to assist rehabilitation. The rehabilitation of spinal cord injured patients encompasses all phases of treatment including acute, rehabilitation, re-admission and peripatetic aspects of occupational therapy as follows:
Acute phase
- Management of upper limbs including splinting
- Prevention of sensory deprivation
- Referral to community services
- Initiation of functional rehabilitation
Rehabilitation phase
- Mobilisation and seating/posture assessment
- Promoting independence in activities of daily living (ADL)
- Assessment of equipment and adaptive devices to assist independence
- Splinting to promote upper limb function and prevent deformities
- Provision of information relating to:
- Community services
- Driving
- Employment
- Assistive technology
- Home/work/school visits to advise on adaptations
- Therapeutic techniques to improve grasp/hand function
- Preparation for discharge
- Liaison with relevant community services for service provision after discharge
- Outpatient review
Re-admission for specialist surgery
- Upper limb reconstruction providing:
- Pre surgical assessment
- Post surgical rehabilitation
