Whipps Cross Hospital OT Club

05/10/2026

This October, OT Club will be celebrating Black History Month with a series of posts recognising, reflecting on and celebrating Black history, culture, achievements and contributions. 

Throughout the month, we will share stories, resources and reflections that encourage us to learn, celebrate and continue important conversations about representation, inclusion and belonging within occupational therapy and beyond. 

✨ Follow along as we celebrate, learn and reflect together. 

Inclusion

30/09/2026

The impact of patient cognition on interventions in acute setting

In the acute setting, a patient’s cognitive status is the primary driver of early amputation rehabilitation. Navigating limb loss, new safety measures, and motor relearning creates overwhelming cognitive overload, requiring strong executive function, spatial awareness, and short-term memory to master new transfer techniques and wheelchair mobility safely (O’Neill, 2003). Therefore, patients’ ability to process and retain safety instructions is significantly reduced when patients have a cognitive impairment at their baseline combined with postoperative delirium, severe pain, and sedative medications (NICE, 2022).

Identification of these cognitive deficits through early cognitive screening allows the multidisciplinary team to tailor interventions for the patients effectively, by simplifying instruction, managing physical and cognitive fatigue, preventing the risk of falls, and building a foundation for successful long-term prosthetic rehabilitation (NICE, 2022; Williams et al., 2020; O’Neill, 2003).

Rehabilitation Cognitiveoverload OTClub

29/09/2026

Such an insightful post from Rachel Lovegrove on LinkedIn and a really important reminder for those of us working within acute care and working with amputees.

Being orientated and able to engage in conversation does not necessarily mean that someone has the cognitive skills needed to learn, problem-solve, retain new information and safely manage after discharge.

In the acute setting, where decisions often need to be made within a short timeframe, structured cognitive screening can add another valuable layer to our functional assessment and clinical reasoning. It can help us consider how we deliver rehabilitation, what
support may be required, and whether information and strategies are likely to carry over beyond the ward.

A great reminder to look beyond “appears cognitively intact” and consider what cognition means for function, prosthetic rehabilitation and life after discharge.

Someone can be completely orientated and still have cognitive difficulties that matter for rehabilitation. In people following lower-limb amputation related to vascular disease, we may see difficulties in areas such as visuospatial/executive function and delayed recall, even when orientation is rela...

24/09/2026

Getting back on Course: Why Family and Friends Matter in The Acute OT?

“Calvin” (pseudonym) struggled to identify goals after a below-knee amputation. Through conversations with his wife, the OT team learned that golf was a significant part of his identity and lifestyle. This enabled rehabilitation goals to be linked to a meaningful occupation, potentially supporting engagement and motivation. Meaningful occupations and the individual's interests, roles and values are central to occupation-based and client-centred OT practice (Fidler, 1996; Bass et al., 2015). 

His family also played a vital role in discharge planning by supporting home access assessments and embracing environmental adaptations. Environmental factors and social supports are important components of occupational performance, while home assessment and adaptations are recognised aspects of OT involvement following amputation (Bass et al., 2015; NHS, n.d.). 

The PEOP model reminds us that successful occupational performance is not just about physical ability. It is about understanding the person, their environment, and the occupations that give their life meaning. The model conceptualises occupational performance as arising from interactions between person factors, environmental factors and occupations, with meaningful occupation supporting participation and well-being (Bass et al., 2015; Bass et al., 2024) 

⛳ Sometimes the most important information doesn't come from the notes, but from the people who know the patient best. 

AmputationRehabilitation

23/09/2026

Managing Fatigue After a Lower Limb Amputation
Following lower limb amputation, patients often feel exhausted, and everyday tasks can become a challenge. Efficient rehabilitation requires structured energy conservation, home modifications, and pacing techniques rather than simple rest.
This post discusses strategies occupational therapists can offer to help patients manage their energy reserves, protect the remaining limb, and safely rebuild independence.

21/09/2026

When the environment becomes the barrier 🏠 

This case study follows "Mildred" (pseudonym), an 82-year-old woman returning home following a right above-knee amputation. 

Through collaborative working, an access visit and onward referrals, Occupational Therapy identified significant environmental barriers and developed practical solutions to support a safe discharge. 

This case demonstrates that successful discharge planning is about more than physical rehabilitation. It requires consideration of occupational performance, environmental accessibility, risk management, patient choice and long-term participation. 

What discharge barriers have you identified through an access visit that weren't apparent on the ward? 

  WhippsCross AHPs Rehabilitation HousingAndHealth OTClub

18/09/2026

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The advert is open until 𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝟮𝟯:𝟱𝟵

17/09/2026

OSSEOINTEGRATION (OI) USERS

We are looking for amputee’s who have had Osseointegration to come together and share experiences and create a wealth of knowledge from lived experience, providing regular meetings online to give potential OI candidates real life experiences so they can make informed decisions if they want to have OI and which implant system they choose and where in the world they would like to have it done etc.

Please email [email protected] to keep updated on this, put OSSEO in the subject line.

16/09/2026

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Confidence and Identity Following Lower Limb Amputation.

10/09/2026

Journal article review: Psychological Consequences in Patients With Amputation of a Limb. An Interpretative-Phenomenological Analysis

Limb amputation is a life-altering event that extends beyond the loss of physical function, profoundly affecting an individual's psychological wellbeing, identity, social relationships, and participation in meaningful occupations. While advances in surgical care and rehabilitation have improved functional outcomes, many people continue to face significant emotional challenges during the adjustment process, including grief, anxiety, depression, altered body image, and social isolation. Understanding these experiences is essential for healthcare professionals involved in rehabilitation, as psychological adaptation can have a substantial impact on recovery and quality of life.

Roșca, Baci, Burtăverde, and Mateizer (2021) examined the lived experiences of individuals following limb amputation to better understand the psychological consequences of limb loss. Their findings provide valuable insight into the emotional, social, and occupational challenges experienced during recovery and reinforce the need for holistic rehabilitation approaches that address both physical and psychological adjustment.

 
Reflection for OTs: How can I ensure that my rehabilitation approach addresses not only physical recovery, but also the psychological adjustment and identity changes associated with limb loss?

Explore the full findings via the link below:

Psychological Consequences in Patients With Amputation of a Limb. An Interpretative-Phenomenological Analysis - PMC