Specialism
Traumatic brain injury and long-term neurological conditions – community rehabilitation
Geographical Area
Career History
I have worked with in the NHS as an occupational therapist for over 30 years, specialising throughout my career, in neuro-rehabilitation. I began my working career in in-patient neuro-rehabilitation in Leicester with younger people with long-term neurological conditions and in elderly stroke rehabilitation. For the last 25 years I was based in the north-east of England. I have 7 years’ experience working in a regional Tier 1 Neuro rehabilitation centre and 19 years working within the community neurological rehabilitation service supporting people to live and manage their long-term condition in the community.
Current Work
In my role as a Case Manager, I bring all my experience and skills as an occupational therapist to ensure my client is able to thrive whilst being provided with the most appropriate rehabilitation and or support for their needs.
My passion is supporting people’s independence, particularly in their own home environment, learning or further developing how to manage their own condition to the best of their abilitiy and facilitating support where this is not possible. My work has taught me to value above all else, the power the environment has in influencing how a person is able to thrive or not thrive and how often it is the simple basic principles that make the largest difference.
I particularly value communicating with and helping the family to support their loved one as this often has the biggest beneficial impact on a ‘successful’ outcome. Providing the family with the information, support and resources they need to understand what is going on enables them also to live their lives to the fullest and is always a ‘win win’.
People often require additional, repeated or more accessible information for example about their relative’s condition or the rehabilitation and medical legal processes delivered in a reassuring manner.
Whilst much will be directly for and with my client and their family, it is also coordinating with the formal and informal carers and a range of health and social care professionals.
Competencies and Key Skills
As a clinician, I have had a lot of experience in working with my patients alongside Case Manager colleagues, private therapy providers; pre-and post settlement. I have also had regular contact with solicitors and the Court of Protection.
Professional Affiliations and Additional Qualifications