Occupational Therapy in Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital
The Occupational Therapy team at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales work with children who are inpatients, supporting them throughout their recovery. We work with children and families to support, enhance and empower them in being able to carry out daily tasks such as playing, washing and dressing.
We help children adapt to the challenges that they may face as a result of illness, trauma, developmental delay or disability.
We also work closely with local community teams to ensure that when a child leaves hospital and returns home that they can access any appropriate support that may be required as part of their ongoing care.
The Occupational Therapy team based at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales covers a wide range of specialities including:
Rheumatology
The Paediatric Rheumatology Tertiary Service is based in the Children’s Hospital for Wales. Our service covers South and Mid Wales providing outreach clinics within Swansea Bay University Health Board, Cwm Taf University Health Board and Hywel Dda University Health Board.
The Occupational Therapist within the Paediatric Rheumatology Tertiary Service team supports inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy services. We see children who have inflammatory conditions – such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), SLE (Lupus), Scleroderma, Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) – and non-inflammatory conditions such as joint pain and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS).
We also support and liaise with local services, schools and therapy teams to ensure the continuity of care for the children and young people we see.
Metabolic Bone Disease
The Metabolic Bone Disease service is a tertiary service that sees children and teenagers from South and Mid Wales. The Occupational Therapist works as part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of a
- Physiotherapist
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Psychologist
- Pharmacist
- Dietician
- Endocrine Consultants.
Children and young people are referred to Occupational Therapy by members of the multidisciplinary team to the service.
The role of the Occupational Therapist within the Metabolic Bone team involves assessment of children and young adults who might experience difficulties participating in their everyday occupations or who are experiencing a delay in their development because of their metabolic bone condition.
Many children and teenagers with a metabolic bone condition experience fatigue and sometimes pain. The Occupational Therapist can teach strategies to help with this, problem solving specific scenarios with the child or young person, and helping to minimise the impact pain and fatigue has on day to day occupations.
A lot of our work is preventative and involves educating those nearest to the child about the condition and on how best to manage potential risk factors to prevent pain and injury. This includes advice for play activities, development of independent self-care skills, participation in school life, and access to leisure activities at home or in the local community.
The Occupational Therapist can give advice regarding:
- safe handling techniques for bathing, dressing, play positioning and feeding,
- developmentally appropriate activities to encourage children to progress with their mobility, play and self-care skills.
- modifying activities or the physical environment to enable independence
- the use of adaptive devices if necessary including wheelchairs
Our treatment interventions use play or other activities that are tailored to the child or young person.
Neuro Rehabilitation
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Major Trauma
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is home to the regional Major Trauma Centre for adults and children in South Wales, West Wales and South Powys.
Any child who experiences a serious injury will come to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital where they will be seen by members of the Major Trauma Team.
As Occupational Therapists we work alongside Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Play Specialists within the Major Trauma Team to ensure that a child can be returned home safely.
We may identify pieces of equipment to help make daily tasks more manageable or we may work on specific skills to help increase a child or young person’s independence.
Meet the Team
Carys
Occupational Therapist
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Carys' fun fact
I flew a 2-seater plane when I was an air cadet!
Heike
Occupational Therapist
Metabolic Bone Disease Team, Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Metabolic Bone Disease Team, Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Heike's fun fact
I like knitting
Karen
Occupational Therapist
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Karen's fun fact
Big Bird!!!!
Llinos J
Occupational Therapist
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Llinos' fun fact
I’m probably the only OT in the world who cannot sew!
Nikki
Occupational Therapy Technician
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Nikki's fun fact
I love Disney!
Rebekah
Occupational Therapist
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Rebekah's fun fact
I once went diving where I got to see dolphins, turtles, and even a shark!
Sioned
Occupational Therapist
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Sioned's fun fact
During a visit to South Africa I went swimming with penguins!
Sue
Occupational Therapist
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales
Sue's fun fact
I jumped 15,000 feet from an aeroplane.
Resources
The Occupational Therapy team for Children and Young People have put together a series of resources for parents and carers who are looking to support their children in different areas.
Below are the resources put together with Occupational Therapists working in the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.
Supporting your child with anxiety and relaxation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Occupational Therapist?
We have a short explanation of what Occupational Therapists do on our landing page.
We would also encourage you to watch the video that our team has put together called ‘Understanding Occupational Therapy’
What can an Occupational Therapist do for my child?
An Occupational Therapist will:
- Assess the child’s participation strengths and difficulties through a range of different methods such as play and observation
- Information will be gathered from the child (if possible), parents and carers regarding their previous abilities. From here goals will be created that are child focused and realistic.
- Where we can, we will work with you to help progress your child’s skills or problem solve new strategies and techniques on how to complete activities you or your child is having difficulty with completing.
- Adaptive equipment can be provided to use in hospital or to be used at home if identified as a need.
- Specialist seating might be used to help with posture.
Will I see an Occupational Therapist whilst my child is in hospital?
If your child is identified by a member of the hospital team to have Occupational Therapy goals they will be seen in the hospital. Whilst in hospital if you feel your child has lost skills in occupational and play activities, please speak with the ward nurses or doctors who can contact the Children’s Occupational Therapy Team.
How do I contact an Occupational Therapist?
The Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital of Wales Occupational Therapy Team can be contacted on 02921 842241
Where can I get a wheelchair?
Each ward has a small supply of wheelchairs that can be used during your hospital stay if you feel this will be helpful.
The Occupational Therapy team can loan a wheelchair on a short-term basis to an inpatient if our criteria of there being a need for a wheelchair after discharge is met. We have limited stock so we have to prioritise on the level of need. If a wheelchair is required on a longer-term basis, the Occupational Therapy Team will make a referral to the Wheelchair Service.
Wheelchairs can also be hired from the British Red Cross Wheelchair Hire Service.
How do I seat my child in the car after surgery?
If your child is having Hip Spica surgery the charity Steps offers advice and guidance on appropriate car seats, including how to buy or arrange a loan of an adapted car seat.
Where do I return equipment that I have been issued but no longer require?
For equipment issued from the hospital, please contact the Occupational Therapy Department on 02921 842241 to arrange a time and day to drop off. Alternatively, the equipment can be dropped off anytime at the ward you were an inpatient on.
If equipment was ordered through your local equipment company there will be a contact number on the label of the equipment for you to call to arrange collection.
What do I do if I think my child has Occupational Therapy needs after they have left hospital?
If you return home from hospital and identify areas your child is having difficulty with, or not managing skills they were once able to complete, there are several different steps you can you can take:
- If you have an appointment coming up with a consultant they can make a referral to your local Occupational Therapy team
- You can call the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Department at the Children’s Hospital on 02921 842241 where we can provide advice to determine if a referral to your local community Occupational Therapy Team is needed.
- If your local health board is Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board you can make a Request for Access to the community team.
