Jill, Specialist Palliative Care Occupational Therapist (OT)

I have worked part-time at Arthur Rank Hospice for over ten years now. You will see me at the beginning of my day on a Monday, Tuesday and in the Living Well office. I am based in this office with the other members of the therapy team whom I work very closely with, which consists of both Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. We also share this space with the Living Well Team.

After checking my emails and System one (our computerised notes system), triaging community therapy or HOPE (Help to Overcome Problems Effectively) course referrals, I tend to be seen either visiting patients in their own homes or within our out-patient Bradbury Wellness Centre, as part of my role with the Arthur Rank Community Team.

You will also find me in Living Well as I am also part of the Living Well Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) as well. Very occasionally you may also see my face on the Inpatient unit.

As an Occupational Therapist within this setting I really promote rehabilitative palliative care, which focuses on empowering and enabling patients to achieve their goals.

Symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, breathlessness and pain for example can often affect a patients function and ability to achieve their goals.

I work with them as part of the MDT to help them to self-manage these symptoms which may include providing education, teaching and practicing non-pharmacological strategies so that they can implement these into their everyday routine.

I will also assess the patients environment with regards to falls prevention and to ensure it aids them to maximise their function through their chosen activities of daily living. I may also order equipment to aid them through our community equipment store.

Very occasionally you will also see me in the Education and Conference Centre here at Arthur Rank Hospice either keeping up to date with my own professional development and mandatory training or co-facilitating specific training sessions.

I also support the charity outside of work by fundraising to help raise the £8.56 million that is required to provide the Hospice services free of charge to our patients and their families each year. I have to date undertaken fundraising challenges to include the London to Cambridge 60 mile bike ride and skydived from over 13,000ft. I have also fundraised in my local community by undertaking a stall at my local village festival. I wonder what I will do next!

One of the best parts of my job is that I am fortunate to work with patients at this time in their lives and I can help to contribute towards maintaining and improving their quality of life by focusing on what is important to them and continuing to live fully. I feel humbled everyday by their motivation, bravery and determination to continue to achieve their goals and seeing them achieve these goals is the biggest reward for me. I am also privileged to work as part of such an experienced and supportive multidisciplinary team, whom are all very dedicated and whom will go that extra mile to support patients and their families.