OT Week and The Impact of COVID-19: Alex Wood - Brain Injury

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in ways we couldn’t have imagined back when the first lockdown started in March. Over that last 7-8 months, we have all come together as a community to learn how to adapt and to cope with the stresses that the virus has put onto our everyday ‘normal’ lives.

As we adjust into the ‘new normal’ (again), and to mark the start of OT Week, I, along with my expert OT team at Julie Jennings and Associates, have reflected on how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected our work, and what we are doing to make sure we continue providing our vital services safely to those who need it most.

Across OT Week we will be highlighting each of the individual roles we undertake, to give a broader picture of life as an OT during the pandemic.

Name: Alex Wood

Area of work: Private Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Background experience: Community and inpatient neurological rehabilitation services- NHS. Private slow stream acquired brain injury rehabilitation.

Impact of COVID-19 on working practice or your personal perspective

At the start of the pandemic sessions were moved virtually if it was appropriate to do so. Some client’s sessions were completed on the telephone whilst others had access to video calling. Sessions remained goal specific with progression being continued in areas where this was possible.

More recently face to face sessions resumed then stopped again for some. I have had to adapt and become more flexible, this has been challenging being self-employed.

Your OT perspective and what you can do to positive influence challenges imposed by the pandemic

Whilst support for individual’s was important especially in a time of change it was also necessary to try and reduce rumination on the negativity that had enveloped the world and to try and keep some focus and forwards momentum. This helped to give hope to those seriously challenged by anxiety and mood issues. Close communication with other multi-disciplinary team members was essential to provide appropriate support to individuals. The pandemic also gave an opportunity to those who relied upon others due to reduced confidence to be more independent. Those who have driving anxiety benefitted from the roads being quieter for a period of time.

Your commitments to support the recovery of People that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

I continue to be flexible recognising and respecting that not all of my clients want face to face sessions despite a thorough risk assessment and the use of full personal protective equipment. I continue to be available for support offering education and self-management for psychological difficulties techniques virtually.

I will continue to keep abreast of the issues facing the NHS and social services and should I need to return to statutory services then I will.

I will recognise the longer term consequences of the pandemic including poverty, mental health and social issues.