Meet the Therapies Technician

Libby Obbard has worked at Forest Holme Hospice for five years as a Therapies Technician, which is role that is funded by the hospice charity. Here, Libby explains more about her work and how it benefits the wellbeing of patients.

As a Therapies Technician what does your role involve and why is it important for patient care?

My role focuses on an holistic approach to patient care, with progression towards independence through functional tasks such as washing and dressing. There is an emphasis on mobility with the aim of helping patients to be discharged to a home environment or appropriate discharge destination. Working alongside the nursing team at the hospice to maximise the holistic approach, I spend time working with the patient towards their own goals and any activities they wish to achieve. Therapy has an important part to play in a hospice alongside the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), allowing a patient to regain some independence with functional tasks. Just giving patients the opportunity to have the choice to have Therapy input is an important part of patient care and wellbeing and is a key service that we want to provide for our patients at Forest Holme.

What matters to the patients you work with and how do you help them achieve it?

I spend time with the patient to establish what matters to them and aiding them to achieve this. It may be something very small such as writing a letter or being sat out in a chair to help them feel ‘normal’ again. A larger goal could entail an outing or short trip home for the last time. Working with the patient to facilitate these wishes is a privilege and very satisfying, especially if it is an end-of-life goal that a patient did not think they would be able achieve.

I also help patients in a variety of other ways such as those who enjoy crafting and colouring or perhaps want a hand painting their nails, choosing a DVD or need assistance with the TV and headphones.

Describe your average day?

My average day will involve many patient assessments including PADL’s and DADL’s (washing/dressing/breakfast tasks) plus mobility, transfers and exercise programmes, as well as cognitive assessments and organising equipment provision for both mornings and afternoons.

The role also involves administration and note writing duties, as well as participation with nursing handovers and Multi-Disciplinary Team ward meetings. There also plenty of discharge planning including telephone calls to aid with facilitating discharge, such as speaking with patient relatives.

How do you work with other members of the team?

We make a plan at handover to include Therapy input, this may include working alongside a Nurse or Heath Care Assistant to double for the Therapy assessment. I also work alongside the ward co-ordinator to facilitate safe discharges.

What matters to you in your job?

To be able to give 100% Therapy input to each and every patient as appropriate. Also to allow a holistic approach for patient comfort, care and rehabilitation, if appropriate, as they approach a difficult time in their life with either symptom control or end of life.

How would you describe working at Forest Holme?

Working at Forest Holme is enjoyable and fun. We have a good team and support and care for each other very well - we call it our Forest Holme family.