Occupational Therapy - Inpatients | Waitematā

Public Service, Allied Health, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physiotherapy

Today

Open today 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Description

“Occupational therapy is the art and sciences of helping people take part in everyday living through their occupations. This means helping people to safely take part in looking after themselves, enjoying themselves and contributing to their communities”.
(Occupational Therapy Board of NZ, 2016).

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand - Waitematā Occupational Therapy also provides services in the following areas:

Inpatient services
Community services
Child Women and Family Services.

Referral Expectations

Occupational therapy referrals are now mainly electronic via the electronic whiteboard system. Please ensure all referrals have accurate information around the issue or difficulty being experienced by the patient, in relation to the person’s normal daily routine and the environment. Health and disability should be described and acute changes in function acknowledged, and an estimated discharge date where possible.

Examples of criteria for referral to Inpatient Occupational Therapy services can be found on the electronic whiteboard when making a referral.

Referrals to occupational therapy services can be made by all disciplines at the hospital e.g. admitting physician, physiotherapists, social workers, speech-language therapists etc.

Please consult directly with your ward occupational therapist if you have any specific questions around referrals.

Referrals not accepted for this service:

We are not able to accept 'equipment only' referrals when no assessment is required.
Referrals to complete ACC705 only - where there is no other indication for Occupational Therapy assessment
Referrals for equipment provision for patients who are not currently inpatients at either North Shore or Waitakere hospital.

Hours

Open today 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mon – Fri	7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Cover provided during 4-day weekends/ public holidays only.

Procedures / Treatments

Assessments

Occupational therapists use a variety of informal and standardised base assessments (depending on patient and service needs) to assess cognitive, affective and physical function in regards to a patient's ability to participate in self-care, productivity and leisure tasks.

Treatment

Once issues and challenges are identified (occupational performance issues) through the assessment process, occupational therapists use a variety of treatment and intervention strategies to facilitate task performance. These may include: Cognitive rehabilitation Group therapy Upper limb rehabilitation Positioning Wheelchair and seating Advice/provision of basic adaptive equipment (e.g. shower stool, bed levers) Advice/provision of complex adaptive equipment (e.g. hospital beds, hoists) Skills re-training Home-based rehabilitation programmes Fatigue management Education Referrals to other services.