"Occupational Therapy provision at Forest Close"

This is a group feedback posting which summarises a discussion involving 5 service users, on the topic of the Occupational Therapy (OT) provision at Forest Close. The discussion lasted about 45 minutes and covered what service users thought about the OT staff, if they felt they had enough access to OT on the ward, Their thoughts on the groups offered and 1-1 support

1, How do you find the OT team? -
"they are good to talk to, they are good listeners"
"they are approachable and friendly"
"they support me to get off the ward and out into the community, I feel like the only time I get to go out is with OTs"

2. Are you happy with the amount of contact time you have with OT? - "There is always someone around if I need to ask for information about a group or activity"
"I would like there to be more activity coordinators to support me to go to groups" "I like that there is always something to do on a Saturday"
"It's good that we often have OT students on placement at Forest Close, they are often able to spend time with service users and it's good to have a new face in the team"

3. Are there enough groups on offer? -
"I am happy with the amount of groups on offer"
 "sometimes groups clash and I have to make a decision on which one to attend"

4. Are the groups meaningful? -
"The groups are meaningful to me, there is a good balance of educational and social groups".
"There is a good balance of on-site and off-site groups, I like the evening social group; I have never experienced a group like this on other wards I have been on, it is good to meet other people from the community or other services."
"I would like more fitness instructor time."
 "I like that there are lots of community groups, it's the best of both worlds."

Attendees suggested some groups they would like to see at Forest Close, History group, more cooking groups e.g. support around budgeting when self catering, a baking group, photography group and more formal education opportunities e.g. English and Mathematics classes.

5. Are you offered 1-1 time with OT to explore individual goals? -
"I feel there is a good level of 1-1 time offered"
"I get to see my named OT regularly"

6. Any other comment? -
"There is not enough space on site for activities"
"there is just one activity room which has to be used for art groups, meetings and any other group the OT team run"
"I would like it if we OTs could be based on ward 3 as there is more space there".