What we do
The Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is here to support you and enable you to overcome any barriers which may prevent you from doing activities that matter to you.
Their aim is to help you increase your independence and to improve your quality and satisfaction in all aspects of life.
How are patients referred to the team?
The team accepts referrals from Rheumatologists, Rheumatology Nurse Specialists or Allied Health Professionals (AHP) colleagues. Referrals are prioritised in order to identify who requires urgent Occupational Therapy to reduce risks.
What should I expect from my appointments?
The team conducts appointments at our three hospital sites. They offer a mixture of appointments, such as phone calls, video calls and face-to-face appointments.
An outpatient appointment with the Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team usually lasts one hour and you may be asked to complete a questionnaire ahead of the appointment. This is sent out with your appointment letter and helps the team identify any difficulties that you may be experiencing in your day-to-day life, through self-care, productivity and leisure.
Useful Links
Further information can be found here:
Our Services
The Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team provides advice and education to help support you and enable you to overcome any barriers which may prevent you from doing activities that matter to you.
The Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team provides advice and education to reduce aches, pain and strains on joints to protect them in both the short and longer term and maintain or improve your function.
Further information can be found here:
Splints are rigid or flexible devices which assist in maintaining the position of your hand or wrist to help ease strain or pain. If appropriate, the Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team may provide you with a splint or hand exercises to maintain or improve the function of your hands.
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness or extreme tiredness which can affect you both physically and mentally. Some patients who have been seen on a one-to-one basis by the Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team may benefit from attending our Fatigue Management Programme.
Further information can be found here:
Sleep plays an essential role in your wellbeing and health. The Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team may work with you to explore your sleep habits, beliefs and how you can modify behaviour that may interfere with sleep.
Further information can be found here:
Even if you are not experiencing any practical difficulties at the present time, the Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team can still provide advice and make recommendations to help limit the impact that the rheumatic condition may have on your day-to-day life over time.
You may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety, stress, low mood, frustration and in some cases a sense of loss, or you may generally hope to feel “better in yourself”. The Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team will support you to explore these feelings and work to address them with you and / or sign post you to different activities and services that we know can improve wellbeing.
Further information can be found here:
If you are struggling with activities of daily living, the Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team may carry out an environmental assessment within your home environment; prescribing assistive devices if you require them to maximise your independence and improve your quality of life.
Further information can be found here:
For many people, work is an essential activity and the Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Team can provide advice, education and support to help you manage your health at work or when you return to work after a period of absence.
Further information can be found here:
