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 rehabilaition 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 inclduing 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.

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.

Qualifying as an occupational therapist in 2006, Louise has specialised in treating clients with housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural needs. She is based in Derbyshire and travels to Derby, Ashbourne, Chesterfield and Long Eaton to visit clients and deliver assessments at home.

Louise is committed in supporting her client reach their personal goals and increase their independence, allowing for them to take part in their every day activities and live safely at home. Since qualifying in 2006, Louise has gained wide-ranging experience in both community and hospital settings and in both mental and physical health. She has a thorough understanding of the effects of pain, illness and disability on the quality of life.

She has spent her career working in community and hospital settings, treating clients with neurological conditions, orthopaedic conditions and those requiring help with fatigue and anxiety management. Her knowledge of neurology is extensive, including having worked with brain injury, stroke rehabilitation and chronic fatigue syndrome. Before leaving the NHS in 2016 to focus solely on her private practice and medico-legal work, Louise was the lead occupational therapist for elderly medicine therapy in Derby Hospitals. Additionally, she acted as a Key Manual Handling Trainer, the Dementia Lead and the Falls Lead.

Louise now undertakes work on private basis for clients who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries as a result of road traffic accidents, medical negligence or accidents in the workplace. She provides recommendations for major adaptations, equipment assessments, work place assessments and ongoing rehabilitation packages to maximise client’s return to independence and inclusion in pre-injury activities. Alongside her private practice she also works as an expert witness preparing care and equipment reports for personal injury or medical negligence cases.

Louise continues her professional development by attending conferences and training events, including being a member of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections in Independent Practice.

Carly is an expert paediatric occupational therapist, treating children of all ages and range of clinical conditions. She qualified in 2003 and has since completed qualifications in sensory integration, an area she is passionate in. Carly is based in Perthshire, Scotland and visits children and their families within the area, including homes in South Lanarkshire and Ayrshire.

Having spent her career working in a variety of clinical settings, including acute units, specialist education settings and in the community, Carlie has gained vast amounts of paediatric experience. She also carries out independent assessments, visiting the child in their home, school or nursery and working with them and their parents, carers and teachers to maximise function and independence.

The treatment Carly provides can include; seating & postural management, provision of specialist equipment and guidance on manual handling equipment and techniques, such as hoists and slings. Her expertise focuses on sensory integration, providing children with sensory diets and strategies which they can use at home and in school. This includes access to sensory play and participation in therapy skills.

Maintaining her memberships of the Sensory Integration Network and National Back Exchange, Carly ensures her clinical knowledge is up to date. She also completes various postgraduate training, including courses on early support for children with exceptional healthcare needs.

Based in West Yorkshire, Ian provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients, specialising in rehabilitation, moving & handling and seating & postural management. He visits clients in their homes, travelling to areas of Manchester, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. Since qualifying in 1976, Ian has completed various postgraduate diplomas and training courses, including a PG Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies and qualifying as a Best Interest Assessor (BIA).

Ian assesses and treats clients with various neurological conditions and physical disabilities, including clients who have suffered traumatic brain injury. He also specialises in working with adults with learning disabilities, including those with complex needs, challenging behaviours and/or autism. To complement his clinical work, Ian completed a dissertation on sensory processing in adults with autism as part of his Masters.

Providing goal orientated treatment programmes, Ian aims to enable individuals to find activities that provide a meaningful structure to their daily lives, including work, leisure, hobbies and interests. This includes recommendations of specialist equipment, including hoists, wheelchairs and postural support. He works with clients in their home environment, including family members and carers in the treatment plan when necessary.

Ian maintains his professional registration through attendance at courses and conferences, committed to developing his knowledge and skills. He is a member of various professional networks, including the Sensory Integration Network, the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections in Independent Practice and also People with Learning Disabilities.

Nicola is an expert occupational therapist, working in the fields of housing & equipment, moving & handling and seating & postural management. Since qualifying in 2005, Nicola has worked in both the NHS and Social Services, giving her a broad range of knowledge and skills.

Nicola works with adult clients in their own homes, with needs such as Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Motor Neurone Disease as well as clients with Brain injuries and amputations. She carries out detailed assessments and provides tailored treatment plans, setting specific, measurable and realistic goals to help her clients gain maximum independence.

Nicola enjoys incorporating sensory assessments into her therapy programmes and is passionate about helping clients to access their local community and mainstream services, helping them to get the most from life. She is HCPC registered and a member of the BAOT (British Association of Occupational Therapists).

Lisa qualified as an OT from Derby University in 1993 and has worked in the NHS, within a Local Authority setting and in private practice since qualifying.

She has held a number of senior and managerial positions within the local authority setting, being responsible for occupational therapy teams and the delivery of the service.

Lisa has chosen to specialise in home functional assessments of adults and children with highly complex physical disabilities. This can be a result of illness or trauma, neurological and congenital conditions, birth injuries and chronic pain.

She also collaboratively identifies housing & equipment, moving & handling and seating & postural needs with the client and their family, successfully implementing solutions to enable individuals to participate in day to day activities, engage in purposeful roles and support them to lead an independent life.

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 ).

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.

Jo is a highly experienced OT specialising in manual handling assessments, seating and postural management, housing and equipment and functional rehabilitation. She has a wealth of experience in both private practice and the NHS, she has also spent time working as an OT in Australia.

Jo is passionate about the benefits of occupational therapy and thrives on enabling her clients to achieve their goals and functional independence of daily living. Jo carries out detailed assessments and provides tailored specific measurable goals to help her clients achieve maximum independence.

Jo has a special interest in life limiting illness and palliative care and has completed a post graduate certificate in palliative care. She is committed to continued professional development to quench her thirst for knowledge and occupational therapy.

Gary is a Health & Care Professions Council registered Occupational Therapist with a breadth of knowledge and clinical experience across a range of healthcare conditions. Gary is passionate in enabling the clients he works with to maximise their functional abilities and independence in order to promote self-efficacy, autonomy and ultimately, quality-of-life.

After qualifying from the University of the West of England, he has gained experience within the NHS, voluntary sector, occupational health, rehabilitation as well as personal injury sectors.

Gary visit clients at home and work and has a particular interest in vocational rehabilitation. He has considerable experience in supporting people to pursue their vocational goals, working with clients with various needs, including traumatic brain injuries, long term neurological conditions and spinal injuries. As well as provision of wheelchairs and minor environmental adaptation to enhance his clients quality of life.

Gary provides detailed assessments which he uses to gain an in-depth knowledge of his clients, he then provides tailored advice and treatment plans to help his clients live as independently as possible. Gary is a qualified Functional Capacity Evaluator and calibrated Assessment of Motor and Processing Skills Practitioner.

Sam qualified in 2009 and has since become an expert in her field of neurology, working with clients with a range of neurological conditions. She works closely with her clients, carrying out full assessments and providing bespoke treatment plans to her clients to help them to gain as much independence as possible.

Sam also provides training and advice to families and carers to help them understand her clients condition and the most effective ways to care for them as well as training carers in safe moving & handling techniques.

Sam is a friend of Headway charity and works closely with the charity on a regular basis. She has completed a Bobath course in normal movement and has completed training in neurological splinting and casting to manage abnormal tone.

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.