Occupational Therapy - What is the role of the Integrated Therapy Team?

The Integrated Therapy Team (Physio’s and Occupational Therapists) look at ways to promote and support your independence in everyday activities.

Activities may include things like improving your mobility, getting out of your armchair, making your meals, getting washed and dressed or getting out and about to social activities

Dependant on your individual needs, therapy may include:

• Practising your mobility and everyday activities to help you improve and/or regain independence before you leave hospital
• Teaching you new techniques to enable you to manage your day to day activities
• Referrals/liaison with other specialist and community services to help you to accomplish goals after leaving hospital
• Equipment provision or advice to make everyday activities easier
• Advice and education on managing everyday activities with specific health conditions
• Helping you to reduce risk and support independence in your own environment, this may involve a visit to your home
• Information and advice on how to access community equipment and support services

Any interventions will be planned with you and will only be undertaken with your consent and agreement.

What does the Integrated Therapy Team wear?

Qualified Occupational Therapists (OTs) wear dark green trousers and a white tunic/top with a green trim. Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) wear dark green trousers and a dark green tunic/top with white trim. Qualified Physiotherapists (PT’s) wear navy trousers white tunic/top with a navy trim. Physiotherapy Assistants (PTAs) wear navy trousers and a light blue tunic/top.

Planning for discharge

The Integrated Therapy Team will work with you and other members of the hospital team to make the necessary arrangements to support your discharge.

It may be that not everything needs to be in place prior to your discharge, often we refer to our partners in the community to support your ongoing needs once you return home.

Community services may include:

• Your own GP
• Community based occupational therapists
• Community based physiotherapists
• Community rehabilitation in your own home
• Community rehabilitation in a non-hospital setting
• Reablement/social care agencies

It is important that you or your family talk to us about any concerns you have as early as possible so we can support you in leaving the hospital as soon as you are ready.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) acts on behalf of service users, families and carers to negotiate prompt solutions and help bring about changes in the way that services are developed.

As well as providing a confidential advice and support service, PALS will help guide you through the different services available from the NHS.
Telephone: 0161 778 5665
Email: pals@nca.nhs.uk.

Alternatively you can write to:

PALS Department, The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Unit 7/8 Whitney Court, Southlink Business Park, Hamilton Street, Oldham , OL4 1DB.

Comments and complaints

We want to learn from comments and complaints about our services. If you have any, please speak with a member of staff. Every effort will be made to resolve any concerns and complaining will not cause any difficulties in your care with us.

You can also contact our Complaints Department via post at: Complaints Department, The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Unit 7/8 Whitney Court, Southlink Business Park, Hamilton Street, Oldham , OL4 1DB.

Telephone: 0161 656 1141
E-mail: office.complaints@nca.nhs.uk

Integrated Therapy Department contact numbers:

If following discharge you have any issues regarding equipment issued during admission you can contact the therapy department to discuss you concerns:

Physiotherapy - 0161 778 3523
Occupational Therapy - 0161 778 3912

Useful numbers:

For further information if you are struggling and feel you need support after leaving hospital you can contact your local social services department to seek support.

Bury Social Services - 0161 253 5151

Oldham Social Services - 0161 770 7777

Rochdale Social Services - 0300 303 8886

Rossendale Social Services - 0300 123 6720