Enhanced Supportive Care (ESC) Occupational Therapy Clinics

ESC occupational therapists aim to help you to be as independent as possible and manage certain physical and psychological symptoms without additional medicines.

Why might I need occupational therapy?

Many people seen by the ESC team find it difficult to do daily activities that they would like to do. These difficulties can be physical, cognitive or emotional, and arise as a result of symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, pain, memory/concentration loss and worry.

Occupational therapists (OTs) aim to support you in managing your own everyday activities such as washing, dressing, and household tasks, as well as looking at how you can manage with your work, hobbies, socialising and so on. OTs suggest practical ideas and strategies to build on things you are already doing to help yourself.

Referrals

If a referral to ESC OT would be useful, you can refer yourself, or one of your medical team may do this for you.

Symptoms

Some symptoms your OT can assist with include:

Fatigue

Reviewing how your energy levels affect you day-to-day. They will suggest strategies to make the most of your energy. This might include ideas for prioritising what is important to you, pacing yourself, building rest breaks into your day, and ways to save energy in order for you to do things you need and want to do.

Breathlessness

Looking at a number of ways to help to reduce the impact of breathlessness. This may include advice on breathing techniques, ways to position your body when sitting, lying or standing, managing stress and anxiety and managing your energy levels.

Stress and anxiety

Look at some ways to help manage worries and stress. They can help problem-solve to find ways through difficulties with activities and teach you management techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation.

Sleep

Reviewing your sleep routine and identify possible ways to improve your sleep quality and sleeping habits. These can include positioning and equipment, helpful sleep behaviours, creating a good sleeping environment, or introducing a new sleep routine.

Pain

Reviewing how pain affects your activities and posture and suggest changes in technique, positioning or supportive/pressure care equipment which might help. They may also advise on gentle exercises, relaxation techniques such as guided visualisation, and muscle relaxation, which can help reduce pain levels.

Memory, concentration, and processing information

Helping to reduce the impact of changes in memory, attention or concentration by suggesting different strategies designed to compensate for these changes.

Functional difficulties

Looking at which activities are physically or functionally difficult for you to do, and suggest alternative strategies and techniques to make the activities easier. They may suggest changes to your home environment to allow you to maintain your independence for as long as possible.

Onward referral

Your ESC OT may suggest onward referrals, for example, to a community OT, if you would benefit from a home assessment for equipment or possibly major adaptations, such as bannister rails or a level shower. They may also suggest onward referral for other physical or psychological support. They will discuss this with you at your appointment.

Assessment and treatment

Your first appointment with your OT will last approximately 45 minutes. Your OT will ask questions about you, your family and home environment, how you spend your day and what is important to you. They will help you identify goals you wish to work towards and together you can come up with a treatment plan. Your session follow-up appointments will usually last approximately 30 to 45 minutes.