Specialisms
- Orthopaedic injuries including lower limb amputations and limb weakness.
- Joint replacements (hip and knee) and conditions affecting the joints (arthritis).
- Neurological conditions (including stroke, MS, MND, Parkinson’s and adult Cerebral Palsy).
- Chronic pain.
- Internal injuries, including bladder, bowel and stoma care
- Moving and handling.
- Associated mild brain injury.
- Associated psychological, mental health and cognitive difficulties.
- Associated visual and hearing impairment or loss.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at April 2024, I am engaged in the role of Occupational Therapist for Brighton and City Council Adult Social Care Independent Living Team for an average of 120 hours per month.
Signed
Specific Injuries Experience
Kate commonly deals with the ongoing support, equipment and minor adaptation needs of adults with physical disabilities, including orthopaedic and lower limb amputations. Many of her clients have complex issues, and co-morbidities either following orthopaedic surgery, such as joint replacement, or due to arthritis. This will often result in pain and weakness in limbs/joints. Kate is responsible for managing their ongoing equipment and care needs. She also works with spinal injury clients, and has experience of associated altered sensation in limbs.
A large number of Kate’s caseload present with complex and various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or PTSD. Her caseload also contains a high prevalence of injuries relating to neurological impairments, such as Stroke, and adult Cerebral Palsy as well physical injuries. This commonly results in associated cognitive deficits and mental health complications.
Some of Kate’s clients have secondary issues including visual/hearing impairments or loss, and many also have medical needs following internal injuries and therefore require health related equipment, such as catheters, stoma and PEG feed systems. These clients require ongoing management in the community which Kate is well versed with and co-ordinates the care requirements and training.
Employment Profile
Kate works within the Adult Social Care, Independent Living Team in Brighton and Hove, providing a combination of treatment plans including care provision, equipment provision, as well as assessments, reports, and regular ongoing reviews of an individuals’ continuing needs. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, she works with adults who have long term substantial physical difficulties. She has assisted to varying degrees with personal care, medication, domestic tasks, community and leisure-based activities, and money management.
Kate completes full functional assessments of clients within their home and local community. She reviews the appropriateness of care packages for clients needing continuing care at home. This involves care reviews post discharge from hospital settings, setting up new care packages, adjusting existing care packages and reviewing all care plans to prevent admission back to hospital. She has been involved in a number of 24-hour care packages.
She also assesses for and provides standard and specialist equipment to maintain and/or compensate for loss of independence and to ensure her client’s safety. Kate also considers the provision of moving and handling equipment and training for agency staff and informal carers.
Prior to her current role, Kate worked in an integrated team for 4 years that was involved in the major adaptations of clients, and as such she has knowledge of the requirements for assessments and implementations of major adaptations. Additionally, Kate has previously worked across a variety of clinical settings including medical wards responsible for elective and trauma surgery, so she has a practical experience of understanding the need for revision surgeries as well as the expected rehabilitation outcomes.
Qualifications and Membership
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, 2015.
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- RCOT – Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care
- Diploma Level 3 Holistic Therapies
Career History
Present
Care Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co Limited
2019-Present
Experienced Occupational Therapist
Brighton & Hove City Council, Adult Social Care Independent Living Team
2015-2019
Occupational Therapist
West Sussex County Council
2015-2016
Occupational Therapist
Rehabilitation Sussex Community NHS
2010-2015
Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor
Western Sussex NHS