Specialisms
- Terminal illness and palliative care.
- Cancer.
- Progressive neurological diseases.
- End-stage respiratory illnesses.
- Loss of Services in fatal accident claims.
- Associated chronic pain and fatigue.
- Associated orthopaedic injuries including pathological fracture due to bony metastases.
- Associated spinal cord injuries.
- Associated mental health.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at January 2024, I am engaged in the role of Specialist Palliative Care Occupational Therapist for the Woodlands Hospice Charitable Trust, Liverpool, for an average of 120 hours per month.
Signed
Specific Injuries Experience
Jennie works as a Band 7 Specialist Palliative Care Occupational Therapist as part of an integrated hospice and community team specialising in complex assessments and treatments of individuals with a palliative diagnosis.
The majority of Jennie’s clients are cancer patients, many of whom have metastatic disease with associated complications such as pathological fractures and spinal cord compression. Since the Coronavirus pandemic, Jennie has seen a marked increase in late diagnosis cancer patients.
Jennie also supports patients with progressive neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease, brain tumours, multi-system atrophy and dementia. Her caseload also includes patients requiring palliative care for end stage conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis and heart failure.
Her extensive knowledge and experience from working with patients with palliative conditions gives Jennie a clear understanding of disease progression. This not only allows her to identify and make appropriate recommendations regarding an individual’s immediate and ongoing care needs but, importantly, enables her to support the client and their family during their end-of-life journey.
Employment Profile
After qualifying as an Occupational Therapist in 2005, Jennie worked on hospital rotation which saw her spend time on the acute stroke and stroke rehabilitation unit, general medical and surgical ward, ward-based and community intermediate care and re-enablement team and the accident & emergency department.
Jennie moved into a Specialist Palliative Care role in 2016 and is passionate about working with her patients to understand what can be offered to improve their independence and quality of life. She will often look at any additional support for the patient’s family referring on to group therapies, counselling, psychology and bereavement services where appropriate.
Jennie carries out a full functional assessment of the patient in their own home to determine what life was like for them pre-diagnosis and to identify their short and long-term goals. She also has experience of remote assessment by videocall or telephone. She considers whether the individual’s home environment is meeting their needs both now and in the future by assessing mobilisation, transfers, ADLs, seating, environmental conditions, manual handling, provision of equipment and housing adaptations. Jennie also looks at access to the community for the patient and assisted technology options such as telecare and voice banking.
As part of her role, Jennie works with the patient to manage and develop treatment plans for chronic fatigue and the anxiety associated with a palliative diagnosis.
Jennie liaises closely with her direct MDT colleagues, community services and other agencies to ensure a safe and positive patient experience. She frequently participates in case conferences, patient safety and MDT meetings and has significant experience of accurate report writing to support her decisions and recommendations.
Qualifications and Membership
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (2:1), University of Liverpool (2005).
- BSc Psychology & Biology, Liverpool (2:1) John Moore University (2002).
- Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
- Member of Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Career History
Present
Care Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co Limited
2016-Present
Band 7 Occupational Therapist
Woodlands Hospice, Liverpool
2005-2016
Band 6 Occupational Therapist
Aintree University Hospital