The Adaptation and Rehabilitation team for the Western Isles is made up of a team of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Technical Instructors who work across hospital and community settings. The aim of the team is to ensure that clients can keep and/or regain as much independence as possible, in a safe way, when staying in hospital, following a hospital discharge or within their own home. This can involve providing advice and information to clients and ensuring that a client has appropriate equipment and adaptations to promote independence both in the hospital, in their own home, or in the community. The adaptation and rehabilitation team visit a variety of community settings such as a client’s home; place of work; care home and day centres to assess a client’s need following a referral via the open referral system. Client’s needs may be solved in a number of ways:
1) treatment of the client in home/hospital;
2) further rehabilitation at home or within the department;
3) the provision of equipment and/or adaptations.
The provision of equipment and adaptations can be accessed following an occupational therapy assessment which can take place in hospital, clients own home or within the community. If the Adaptation and Rehabilitation team agree that the provision of equipment is necessary then a request to the Community Equipment Service (CES) can be made, the equipment will then be delivered.
When adaptations are assessed as being necessary the Adaptations and Rehabilitation team will link with the appropriate agencies to progress the work – e.g. CnES, Hebridean Housing Partnership, Care and Repair and various contractors.
The Mental Occupational Therapy service provides assessment and treatment for individuals experiencing mental health difficulties within the community, the Acute Psychiatric Unit and Clisham ward. Occupational Therapy treatment can be offered 1:1 or group basis dependant upon a person’s needs and capabilities. Treatment can address a variety of functional deficits including loss of role, confidence, motivation, vocational rehabilitation. Treatment may also aim to increase a person’s independence when participation in activities of daily living such as, budgeting, cooking and utilising public transport. The therapeutic relationship and meaningful activity is the basis of treatment.
The Community Equipment Service is an equipment purchasing, trial, delivery and uplift service to patients in the Western Isles. It provides equipment on behalf of Occupational Therapists, Hospital Nursing Staff, Macmillan Nurses and Community Nurses.
The Community Equipment Service offers a range of Occupational Therapy and nursing equipment free of charge and some equipment is available without having to be assessed by a health or social work professional. To view and order any of this equipment click here.
For health professionals wishing to order equipment please click here.
To view the Community Equipment Service delivery schedule click here.
Out of Hours Erisort store at the Western Isles Hospital is accessible through the overnight nursing service.
Emergency Breakdowns
Lewis and Harris OT – 01851708287.
Uist and Barra OT – 01870 604 984
Out of hours (after 5pm and weekends) Faire 01851701702.
Used Equipment
Used equipment cannot be returned to the WIH because of health and safety issues.
• In Lewis and Harris please contact OT – 01851708287 or the health centre – 01851703545 to arrange uplift.
• In Uist and Barra please contact OT – 01870 604 984 or the Balivanich clinic - 01870 604 984 to arrange uplift.
The paediatric occupational therapists (OT’S) provide assessment and intervention for children ages 0-18 years who are having difficulties with the practical and social skills necessary for everyday activities (e.g. dressing, eating, doing schoolwork, play and leisure). There are two OT’s and they work closely with parents, school/nurseries, other health professionals, social work and agencies (e.g. Action for Children Scotland).
Location:
Child’s home, nurseries, schools and other locations (e.g. hospital site, Action for Children, leisure facilities) across the Western Isles, depending on needs of the child.
Target group:
Children not achieving the level of independence expected in their daily activities and/or are not functioning at their full potential, physically or socially. Some of the children will have a recognised disability (e.g. physical, sensory, learning) or disorder (e.g. Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder).
Referral process:
Open referral system, with parental permission required. Pre-referral discussion is encouraged to determine appropriateness and urgency of referral and referrers are asked to use the Western Isles Inter-agency Referral Form. We aim to see children for assessment within 6 weeks of referral, although the waiting time can be longer dependent on demands for the service.
Contact:
01851 705 685
The primary function of Faire, the Community Careline Service, is to provide a 24/7 support service to individuals throughout the Western Isles who may require emergency assistance within their own homes. This is achieved either by manually summoning help by means of a dedicated pendant and alarm unit, or by advanced automatic technologies designed to address the diverse risks arising from complex physical and mental health illnesses. Technologies can also be assigned to address non-medical internal or external threats such as fire, flood or escaping gas. Each individually configured alarm unit is linked via a telephone line to the local Faire Control Centre which is staffed by highly trained and intuitive staff. Alarm activations are supported by valuable ‘person specific’ on-screen information to assist Faire staff in the most appropriate management of each call.
Referrals for the Faire service can be from any individual or family who consider themselves to be at risk, or who simply want to maintain their continuing independence. Referrals are also made by Health and Social Care professionals and by various Community Support Workers and agencies. Referrals for individuals requiring more complex technologies will be assessed by Occupational Therapists, who, in conjunction with Faire technicians, will decide on the most appropriate type of equipment to be installed.
For more information on Faire, the Community Careline Service, please contact:
Faire Careline Service on 01851 701702 or by email at: faire@cne-siar.gov.uk
Or:
The Occupational Therapy Department at the Western Isles Hospital: 01851 704704
The hand therapy service provides assessment and treatment for people with hand injuries or medical conditions which affect hand function for all age groups. The service is provided in both the Western Isles Hospital and Uist and Barra Hospital on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Patients requiring the service can self refer or can be referred by a health or social care professional. We also provide follow-on intervention where initial treatment was started at a mainland centre. Services available for hand therapy patients include splinting and hand function rehabilitation [including sensory] and aims to allow the patient to return to their self care, productivity and leisure activities
The rheumatology service provides assessment and treatment for people with arthritis across all age groups. This can be provided either in hospital or the community depending on the diagnosis and the intervention needed. Patients requiring the service can self refer or can be referred by a health or social care professional. Services provided include education to allow patients to self manage their condition, hand therapy including splinting, joint protection, fatigue management, advice or provision of equipment and adaptations. It aims to maximise the patient’s functional ability in self care, productivity and leisure activities.
To refer yourself or another person to the above services, please contact the occupational therapy service at either the Western Isles Hospital, Uist and Barra Hospital or CNES offices at Balivanich in Benbecula.