Elizabeth Dolan

I moved to the role of Senior Occupational Therapist in the Care Home Support Team in December 2020, shortly after, we TUPE'd across to the ICB and the team role evolved to cover the care sector. As the only Occupational Therapist within the directorate, my role is to provide bespoke advice and support. I have taken a lead role in the development of the Gloucestershire Falls Guidance for Care Homes and having produced the training package, I am responsible for delivering the training and the roll out to Domiciliary Care and Learning Disabilities sector. I chair the community of practice (countywide) for Falls Champions and Meaningful Activity for older peoples care homes. I also investigate Datix concerns and contribute towards the work the team are doing in regards to the NHSE initiative to reduce hospital admissions from Care Homes.

Following the provision of long arm supervision to an Occupational Therapy Student in a local PCN, I was invited by the University of Gloucestershire to host a seminar on falls and the RCOT Falls Guidelines. I also supported an assessment day, marking practical assessments in simulation facilities around frailty and falls.

Following a B5 rotation into what was Social Services at the time, I began a long career in the Community. During this time, there were a couple of reorganisations and we became part of the NHS.

Within this role, I was responsible for the complex cases for adults 18 and over. This work included complex moving and handling assessments, working with care providers and informal carers, complex medical conditions, frailty, post falls response service, environmental assessments, equipment provision, minor and major adaptations and housing. Urgent response and reablement work including urgent moving and handling and reablement assessments and monitoring also formed part of this role. Senior OT's took an active role in triage and prioritisation as well as service development.

Following the completion of the Oxford Seating and postural Management course (four day) I became the postural management champion for the team.

I also supervised Occupational Therapy Assistants and Band 5 Occupational Therapists as well as supporting Occupational Therapy Students.

My first role, post qualifying was at Gloucester Royal Hospital. I completed rotations in Medicals, Elective Orthopaedics, Elderly Care before moving into a rotation in Social Services.