Physiotherapy & occupational therapy
Therapies at Oakhaven
The therapy team supports Oakhaven patients in maintaining their independence and quality of life. Our team includes a qualified physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and therapy assistant.
We work with patients who might be, for example, experiencing pain, fatigue, anxiety, problems getting around or having difficulty breathing. Our team can see patients at the hospice in our well-equipped outpatient facility, whilst at the Day Hospice, in the Inpatient Unit or we can visit patients at home.
We discuss with patients what their priorities are, and how best we may be able to help. This may include the provision of aids, equipment, specific treatment, information or advice. We are always happy to discuss any of their problems, and we are available to them at any stage whilst they are a patient of Oakhaven Hospice.
Therapy available at Oakhaven
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.
Our focus is on improving strength and stamina, improving balance, preventing falls and helping to ease respiratory symptoms. Amongst other skills, our physiotherapist can assess and advise on walking aids and help with techniques to manage breathlessness.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy aims to help people stay as independent as possible with their daily activities, whether with personal care or domestic tasks. This help may be by supplying equipment to assist or showing easier techniques to be able to complete the tasks people want and need to do.
Amongst other skills, our Occupational Therapist can advise on adaptations in the home and can access and provide the necessary equipment.
Meet the team
Alyson Robinson
Alyson is an Occupational Therapist who has been qualified for over 20 years. She has worked in many areas and has over five years of experience in working with people with life-limiting conditions. Alyson aims to help patients remain as independent as possible with their daily activities, whether with personal care or domestic tasks.
Nancy Millea
Nancy is a Physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience. She has worked at Oakhaven Hospice for over 10 years. Nancy works with patients in the hospice and at home, focusing on improving strength and stamina, improving balance and preventing falls, or helping to ease respiratory symptoms.
Abby Burden
Abby works as a Therapy Assistant, supporting both the Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist. She supports patients with home exercise programmes set by the Physiotherapist and checks how they are managing following the provision of aids or adaptations in their homes. She sees a number of the patients who attend the Day Hospice.
Click on the links above to find out more about our wellbeing services
Oakhaven Wellbeing News
Outdoor Activities for Health and Wellbeing
By Karen Silverthorne Whatever you have going on in your life right now, it’s important to pay attention to your health and wellbeing. Looking after your physical needs can have a knock-on effect on your mental state and this can put you in a better position to help yourself and those around you. Exercise can […]
Read MorePlanning for the Future: things to consider
By Karen Silverthorne It seems there are so many extra difficulties to face at the moment and the idea of making end-of-life plans may be something you find difficult. But by giving consideration to this now, it can lessen anxiety if you become unwell and can help those you are close to if you’re not […]
Read MoreSelf Care in Bereavement
By Paula Noyce, Counsellor As a palliative, oncology and bereavement counsellor, some of the most common descriptions I hear used by those who have lived alongside loved ones through illness and death are, ‘completely drained’, ‘exhausted’, and the feeling of ‘running on empty’. It is the inevitable impact of being alongside a significant person, whether […]
Read MoreFacing Fear: How to Cope with Health Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Steph McClean, Psychotherapist Throughout life, most of us keep an eye on our health and wellbeing. However, there are times when we are more anxious about our health than others. It might be that we need to go back to our GP for a persistent issue, or we need tests or scans to see […]
Read MoreHaving those Important Conversations about Dying and Death
By Paul Hatchard, Chaplain It’s the conversation no one wants to have isn’t it? In fact, in a survey conducted by the charity Dying Matters they found that 72% of the British public are uncomfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement. It’s true that it’s an uncomfortable subject – we’d rather not think about it. Yet […]
Read MoreHow to support children and young people in the face of COVID-19
By Mette Nielsen, Counsellor Life has suddenly been turned up-side down for all of us and not least our children and young people because of the outbreak of Covid-19. Schools, colleges and universities have closed early. There may not be any transition preparations for going to the next stage for primary school children nor proms […]
Read MoreMissing the Moment: Self Isolating when a Loved One is Dying
By Steph McClean, Psychotherapist When we have a loved one who is being cared for at the end of life, the choices and decisions we make matter. A key part of palliative care is about helping people make informed decisions in advance if they can; for example about where they want to die and how […]
Read MoreHow Mindfulness Can Help in Times of Crisis
By Paula Noyce, Counsellor and Mindfulness Practitioner Please don’t stop reading already, I am not going to be suggesting we ‘om’ ourselves through the next four months,,,, We are, indeed, living in a time of crisis unprecedented in our lifetimes and it is an extremely uncomfortable experience, whether we are frontline professionals or witnesses to […]
Read More