Private occupational therapy in the North West

Holly qualified as an occupational therapist in the USA in 1997, choosing to specialise in hand therapy quite early on in her career. She has completed levels 1 and 2 of the British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) training courses, enabling her to provide expert hand therapy and rehabilaition to clients. Holly is based in Cheshire, visiting clients in North West England, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

Holly has developed her clinical skill in various settings, including in NHS and private hospitals and in the community. She was OT lead at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester and developed the hand therapy service there. This included the development of and adherence to relevant hand therapy protocols and incorporating the assessment and fitting of pre-fabricated splints. She also provided splinting for children with cerebral palsy, including tendon lengthening and improving function.

Working with clients with acute and chronic conditions, Holly provides bespoke and intensive treatment programmes to increase function and improve overall independence. Using a holistic approach, Holly works with clients on all aspects of rehabilitation, including mobility and function, improvement of independence in home and leisure tasks and advice on home adaptations and equipment procurement.

Qualifying as an occupational therapist in 2001, Kirsty specialises in the areas of housing & equipment and moving & handling. She is based in Cheshire, visiting clients at home in Chester, Crewe, Birkenhead and Macclesfield. She will also travel to neighbouring counties, including Greater Manchester and Cumbria. Kirsty is qualified in carrying out Blue Badge mobility assessments.

Having worked primarily in the field of housing, Kirsty 's experience includes identifying and recommending minor/major housing adaptations for all age groups. She also delivers moving & handling risk assessments, recommending Telecare equipment, such as fall detectors and sensors, to help keep her clients safe when moving around their home.

Treating clients in their own environment, Kirsty implements bespoke rehabilitation packages to improve her client's independence in their activities of daily living. She works collaboratively with the family or carers to encourage clients to reach their own treatment goals and improve their overall quality of life.

Kirsty is a member of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections in Independent Practice.

Jan is an expert occupational therapist who specialises in hand therapy and hand related conditions. She is based in North West England, treating clients in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire. Alongside her OT degree, Jan has completed a Masters in Health Studies.

Since qualifying in 1987, Jan has specialised in providing rehabilitation and therapy to clients with hand injuries. She has worked with both adult and paediatric clients in regional units for burns and plastics, as well as establishing the role of hand therapist in two private hospitals. Jan has also previously worked overseas with leprosy patients.

Visiting clients at home, Jan provides clinical assessment of orthopaedic trauma, congenital and chronic conditions, as well as assessing clients who have suffered burns or have had plastic surgery. To improve function and increase the client's levels of independence, Jan provides treatment including mobilisation and exercise regimes, splinting, fracture bracing, desensitisation and scar management.

Jan has been a member of the British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) for many years and has been on the executive committee for 6 years, 2 of which she was Chairman of the Association.

Based in Merseyside, Denise travels to Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington, as well as Lancashire and Wrexham, treating clients in their home or work environment. She specialises in working with adults and the elderly, assessing their seating, moving & handling and rehabilitation needs. Denise has completed a number of postgraduate courses to continue her learning, as well as gaining a qualification in Train the Trainer.

Having gained experience working in community settings and for social services, Denise currently provides private assessments to clients in their own homes. She treats clients with a variety of needs, including complex orthopaedic, neurological and cardiovascular conditions. Assessments can include Blue Badge and mobility assessments, as well as looking at Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs).

Working with the client and their family, Denise identifies their treatment goals and puts in place a plan to help them reach these and gain more independence in their everyday activities. Within this bespoke treatment plan, Denise provides advice and recommendations on specialist items of equipment such as seating, electric powered vehicles, hoists and specialist beds. She looks at safer moving and handling around the home, as well as adaptations that can improve the client's quality of living.

Denise is a member of the Motor Neurone Disease Association Special Interest Group (N West region) and also the Allied Health Professionals Network of the National Osteoporosis Society.

Qualifying as an occupational therapist in 2003, Stephanie has gained extensive experience in the area of neurological rehabilitation. She has completed various training courses to accompany her clinical work, including splinting for the neurological hand and introductory Bobath modules. Stephanie works with adult clients at home, visiting areas in North West England, including Cheshire, Derbyshire, Manchester and Wrexham.

Stephanie has worked within acute and inpatient rehabilitation settings, treating clients with a variety of conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, spinal injuries and multiple sclerosis. Currently working in a neuro rehabilitation unit, Stephanie carries out various complex assessments and treatment, including functional and cognitive assessments, splinting and prescribing specialist equipment.

Stephanie aims to work in a client centred way, ensuring they reach their rehabilitation goals and increase their independence. She keeps her clinical knowledge up to date, attending training courses and conferences, as well as maintaining her membership with the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections in Neurological Practice.

Specialising in rehabilitation and housing & equipment, Carlie provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients. She has worked internationally, including locum and permanent positions in Australia and New Zealand. Carlie is now based in Lancashire, visiting clients at home in Blackburn, Blackpool, Lancaster and Warrington, as well as areas of Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Carlie has worked across a number of clinical settings, including acute & forensic mental health, in-patient & community rehabilitation and psychogeriatric services. She specialises in working with clients with neurological and physical conditions, including dementia, stroke and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Having worked in such different environments, Carlie has developed her core OT skill, including how to work as part of a team and the importance of including clients and their families within the rehabilitation process.

Having assessed her client, Carlie works with them to establish meaningful rehabilitation goals and developing a bespoke treatment plan. Intervention can include neuro-rehabilitation, provision of equipment and housing adaptations, fatigue management strategies and return to work programmes. Carlie aims to help her client improve their quality of life and overall independence within their home and community.

Carlie is dedicated to on-going education and professional development and completed a Occupational Therapy (MSc) in July 2016, focusing on the understanding of autonomy for people with dementia and how OT's enable autonomy for vulnerable clients.

Jo currently works as an independent occupational therapist and as a Macmillan Advanced Clinical Specialist. She is based in Cheshire and also covers Greater Manchester, Warrington and North Wales. She has extensive experience in moving and handling, assessing for equipment, adaptations and support packages, reablement, and the management of fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness.

Jo has facilitated training sessions for other health professionals on managing breathlessness, writing effective goals and working in an enabling way. An article detailing her work within reablement was published in Occupational Therapy News, which she later presented to other teams in the country.

Jo has volunteered for her local Alzheimer's Society branch committee and recently trained as a Dementia Friends Champion. Jo always goes the extra mile for her clients, striving for excellence and individualised care.

Alice is a highly skilled, compassionate and conscientious Occupational Therapist with extensive clinical experience. Qualified in 1994, her background in both physical and mental health allows her to be truly holistic in her approach, considering the full impact of the individual’s condition in all aspects of their life and health.

She has gained her clinical experience working both in the NHS and in the French State health service. She has also worked in private and community settings as well as in the workplace environment.

Alice treats clients with acute and chronic conditions such as muscular sclerosis (MS), brain injuries, stroke, amputations, orthopaedic conditions, mental illness, dementia, chronic pain or fatigue.

Katy has worked as an OT for over 15 years, attaining an invaluable breadth of knowledge and skill to assist children with a variety of needs. Katy works with children and their families across North East England, including Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland. She has extensive experience with both the physical and sensory needs of a child, providing bespoke and creative treatment plans.

Katy has worked with many different physical disabilities, conditions such as cerebral palsy, and acquired brain injury. In particular, she works on the development of fine and gross motor skills, helping a child to build up the strength, balance, and coordination to perform activities and maintain independence.

Alongside rehabilitation, Katy will also advise on home adaptations and equipment required to meet the child’s functional needs. For example, this could include a specialist chair or bed to assist with posture and comfort. Katy is an expert in this field, undertaking specialist training in the Chailey Approach to Postural Management.

Katy is dedicated to her continual professional development, regularly attending conferences and lectures to keep up-to-date with the most innovative research. She has completed additional qualifications in Sensory Integration and The Listening Programme, which is music-based therapy to help with mental, physical, and emotional health. Katy has also organised and delivered a range of training programmes for parents, carers, other healthcare professionals, and education staff on topics including handwriting difficulties, sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills.

Katy is a professional member of the Independent Practice section of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Based just south of Middlesbrough, Angela is a highly experienced OT, who has worked with private clients and the community for over 15 years. Angela specialises in Housing & Equipment, rehabilitation, and Moving & Handling, assisting clients with a wide range of functional needs. This frequently includes, fatigue management, pain management, planning and assistance with daily tasks, and developing gross and fine motor skills.

Angela assesses the individual needs of every client, considering holistically the best possible treatment and long-term provisions that can be made to benefit the client. Angela’s main aim is to enhance a client’s independence, through self-care and daily activities, ensuring access to the community, and managing mobility around the home.

Angela has worked with children and their families with a vast range of conditions and functional needs including autistic spectrum disorders, Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and sensory integration difficulties. She visits children in any setting, whether a nursery, school, or home environment. Angela has particular expertise regarding paediatric equipment and home adaptation.

As part of her continual professional development, Angela has undertaken postgraduate courses including the Brief Focus Solution Therapy Accreditation, Clinical Educators Course, and NCEF Level 2 Certificate in Nutrition and Health.

Suzanna delivers specialist advice and treatment to clients across North Wales and North West England, including Cheshire, Merseyside, and Flintshire. Her focus is on daily living skills, community access, self-care, and learning disabilities. Suzanna also has extensive experience with mental health including treating and handling anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Her main aim is to reduce environmental barriers, improve well-being and quality of life, and enhance independence.

Suzanna has experience in orthopaedics and trauma, community rehabilitation, care of the elderly, and wheelchair therapy. Louise’s specialist knowledge of wheelchair therapy and accreditation includes conducting postural wheelchair assessments, supporting rehabilitation engineers and technical wheelchair instructors, leading wheelchair clinics, and completing home assessments. These assessments evaluate the need for any housing adaptations, minor or major, and helping apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

Suzanna attained a BSc in Physiology/Pharmacology in 1999 and her BSc in Occupational Therapy in 2011. Suzanna is a BAOT (British Association of Occupational Therapists) member and has also raised money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Mind, and Scope in recent years.

Catherine is a self-motivated, enthusiastic and proactive Occupational Therapist with 19 years experience in a wide range of areas in physical health, including over 6 years in the employment field. Catherine is a Matheson trained UK functional capacity evaluator and regularly uses functional assessments for clients within her NHS Occupational Health role. She is experienced in carrying out workplace visits, job analysis and work rehabilitation.

Catherine's Masters Degree in design research has assisted her to devise innovative and unique solutions to functional problems and her advanced communication and motivational interviewing skills are utilised when liaising with clients, employers and stakeholders to enable change. Catherine is trained to carry out health and well-being assessments and she is a health and work champion for Public Health England.

Alongside Catherine's highly specialist assessment and rehabilitation skills she has a range of experience in service development, business planning, team leadership and research.

Laura is a conscientious, confident and enthusiastic individual, who is highly self-motivated to work with new challenges. She has experience in working with children and adults, with a range of physical, learning and sensory impairments and mental health conditions. This experience has provided her with an array of interpersonal skills, professional attributes and knowledge to aim to improve individuals quality of life. She is committed to providing a high standard of care to clients and their families.

Laura's main area of expertise is in relation to housing adaptions and assessment and prescription of specialist equipment. She works with clients with a variety of needs including learning disabilities, brain injuries and cerebral palsy, as well as many other conditions. She carries out expert assessments and provides tailored treatment plans to her clients to help them achieve the most from life. She addresses clients individual needs and wishes and assists them in the creation of a home environment that suits both the client and their wider family. She works with clients of wide ranging ages and abilities.

Laura is committed to her continuing professional development and is HCPC registered as well as being a member of the BAOT (
British Association of Occupational Therapists ).

Jill works with Adults at home in North West England, including the greater Manchester area, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire. Most of Jill's working career has been within the community setting in the equipment, adaptations and housing sector.

Qualifying as an Occupational Therapist in 1991, Jill has gained extensive experience and knowledge in the area of equipment, adaptations and housing. Jill has completed various training courses to accompany her clinical work, including a Msc with Distinction in Accessibility and Inclusive Design, Train the Trainer, and ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management.

Since qualifying as an occupational therapist, Kate has worked in a variety of settings and with a range of clients with different needs. She provides expert assessments and treatment plans to help her clients live as independently as possible, visiting clients at home and work.

Kate specialises in the areas of seating and postural management as well as complex disability aids and adaptations. She prescribes relevant equipment to her clients depending on their individual needs as well as provides bespoke treatment programmes to support her clients in gaining independence.

Kate is a member of the BAOT (British Association of Occupational Therapists) and is committed to developing her knowledge and skill set.

Since qualifying in 2002 Kathryn has gained experience across a range of physical injuries/disabilities, specialising predominantly in stroke and neurological rehabilitation. Kathryn uses a range of treatments including cognitive exercises, self-care, upper limb rehabilitation, functional skills, driving and vocational rehabilitation.

Kathryn carries out a holistic assessment of all clients needs and works closely with the client and their families to create a bespoke treatment plan with each individual ensuring all clients have the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential as well as what is most important to them.

Kathryn is passionate about the promotion of occupational therapy and has taken a lead in developing the ongoing pathway for locality based MDT working. This has allowed her to develop an ongoing interest in clients with other long term conditions and using her skills to create care plans to encourage self management and ultimately less need for additional services.

Alice visits clients across North East England and Scotland, including Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. She has an extensive portfolio of clients, covering a wide range of conditions including, autism, brain injury, learning difficulties, dementia, and stroke. She is equipped to help a client manage fatigue, pain, mobility, and self-care.

Alice is also particularly interested in mental health and helping clients manage the psychological effects of a condition, such as anxiety, stress, depression, and self-confidence. This includes working with clients to develop a daily routine, introducing small and manageable tasks, positive goal setting, and initiating community engagement. Alice aims to improve a client’s independence at home and enhance their quality of daily living. Alice has an in-depth understanding of PIP assessments and so can support a client through the process, from the examinations to medical documentation requirements.

As a Royal College of Occupational Therapy member, Alice continues to regularly attend training courses and lectures, engaging with other healthcare professionals and keeping up-to-date with innovative therapies.

Julie specialises in adult rehabilitation across North West England and the West Midlands including, Manchester, Liverpool, Wolverhampton, and Stoke-on-Trent. She has been delivering expert care and advice for over a decade, covering neurological conditions, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and depression.

Julie has extensive experience evaluating safety concerns in the home and community, conducting assessments to support suitable treatments and facilities, and the review of care packages. This includes suggesting specialist home adaptations and aids, such as beds and seating. She strives to enhance her client’s independence, delivering the best possible care and advice in regards to both physical and mental well-being. She can provide expert treatment on areas including fatigue management, routine planning, daily living skills, behaviour management, social integration, and anxiety management. Julie also spends time providing invaluable support to families and carers, whom she recognises are just as important to the overall care experience.

Julie qualified in 2006 from York St John University College. Her career has seen her working in a variety of settings, including in-patient psychiatry, community services, and forensic services. Julie is a member of the Independent Practice specialist section of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, and actively engages in peer supervision on topics surrounding mental health, brain injury, and dementia services, and is experienced working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.