Occupational Therapy

On our wards, occupational therapists work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help patients overcome the effects of disability caused by illness, ageing or an accident.

Occupational therapy provides assessment of functional tasks and practical support to help people to recover and overcome any barriers that prevent them from returning to their everyday lives prior to hospital admission. We will arrange any necessary support or adaptations needed to support your discharge home. This may include home visits and provision of adaptive equipment or aids.

Our occupational therapists specialise in treating a variety of different conditions, working with other healthcare professionals to achieve the best patient care. Clinical specialities include:

• Rehabilitation and Reablement     
• Stroke and Neurology
• Acute medicine
• Respiratory care
• Vascular care
• Orthopaedics
• Emergency Medicine and Acute Medical Unit
• Oncology and Palliative care
• Cardiology
• Health Services for Elderly People (HSEP)
• Hand therapy
• Burns and Plastics
• Paediatrics

Occupational therapy for children

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust also has an occupational therapy service for children. Find out more by visiting the paediatric occupational therapy pages.

Referral details

Referrals to Occupational Therapy are made by the multidisciplinary teams in A&E or on our inpatient wards. If you are a patient at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, or if you have a friend or relative who is a patient and you think occupational therapy will be of benefit, please speak to the inpatient team.