Occupation

Abstracts
Impact on patients: Patients used in the study were discharged
to their own environment, had a reduced LOS and therefore
reduced risk of negative factors associated with increased
LOS. Maintaining independence and quality of life are of key
importance to patients with dementia (Alzheimer’s Society
2011).
Implications: This study suggests that carrying out early OT home
visits for patients admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis
of #NOF and an additional diagnosis of dementia can be
beneficial in reducing LOS and improving patient outcomes e.g.
minimising relocations and optimising function.
References
Alzheimer’s Society (2009) Counting the Cost.
Alzheimer’s Society (2011) Support. Stay. Save.
Keywords
Dementia, Service improvement or transformation, Innovative
practice
Contact E-mail Addresses
joanna.bennett@homerton.nhs.uk
Author Biographies
Jo Bennett, Occupational Therapist, Homerton University
Hospital NHS Trust, London
Posters
Posters
P1
Development of a private vocational rehabilitation
service within the NHS
Rodgers S, Noden N, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust
Introduction: Occupational Therapists (OTs) have a ‘central role
in resolving any residual issues following a period of ...medical
treatment and advising employers about the needs .... when
they return to work’ (Health and Safety Executive 2015).
Sheffield Therapy Works (STW) is an independent VRS created
in 2014 and is funded privately within the NHS. Inspired by a
test case Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
(STHFT) carried out a project to investigation the provision of
private VRS for those patients with complex orthopaedic and
soft tissues injuries. STHFT identified it had the clinical expertise
and specialised facilities however, the current NHS service did not
have the level of commissioned resources to deliver VRS.
Project aims:
• Investigate the possibility of a privately funded VRS
• Preserve OT facilities and skills within an acute hospital
• Develop a patient pathway addressing the gap in rehabilitation
between acute intervention and returning to occupation
• Develop a self-funded VRS that falls outside the current STHFT
provision
Methods: STHFT used a business plan to investigate private and
public sector services, meetings with case manager association
leads, insurers and solicitors to ensure the idea was viable and
potentially profitable. Once the service provision and insurance
was defined and refined marketing began. STW had to ensure
therapists were adhering to STHFT policies and procedures
such as safe systems of work and that all private patients were
assessment and treated outside of NHS run clinics.
Results: STW is now taking referrals and there has been
no impact to NHS service users and their provision of care.
Clients from within Sheffield and surrounding areas are able
to access the VR service without the need to travel to other
specialist services in other parts of the country. Clients are able
to access other professional services within STW, such as pain
management and psychology.
References
Health and Safety Executive, Sickness and Absence,
Occupational Therapists. Available from: http://www.hse.gov.uk/
sicknessabsence/occtherapists.htm. [19 September 2015].
Keywords
Adult physical health, Service improvement or transformation,
Innovative practice, NHS
Contact E-mail Addresses
STW@sth.nhs.uk
Author Biographies
Sarah Rodgers qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1998
and has a wide range of clinical experience in major trauma
– orthopaedics and plastic surgery, occupational health. Over
the last 13 years she has gained specialist experience in the
assessment and rehabilitation of upper limb injuries and
function. Sarah has developed her skills in vocational assessment
and is able to provide functional capacity evaluations and
case management to facilitate someone’s return to work to
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