Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
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Brain Tumour Awareness Month - the role of Occupational Therapy in supporting people with brain tumours and brain injuries
March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month. It was started by Brain Tumour Research with the aim of raising awareness and sharing powerful statistics to raise awareness of brain tumours and the need for greater research funding.
Throughout the month, we'll be finding out about how Leeds Beckett staff, students and alumni get involved in supporting those people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Vicky Carruthers is a Specialist Occupational Therapist with the Community Neurological Discharge Team within Leeds Community Healthcare. She studied at Leeds Beckett University, graduating with an MSc in Occupational Therapy in 2012. She has since worked within stroke and neurosciences at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, a private neurorehabilitation company and in community NHS neurorehabilitation.
I was inspired to pursue a career within neurological practice following my final practice placement which was on the acute stroke ward at LGI. I believe working in neurological practice enables OTs to use all our amazing skills, I enjoy the problem solving required to assess and treat people with complex neurological presentations.
In my current role I work with people who have sustained traumatic brain injuries or have had elective and emergency neurosurgery for brain tumours. I work to help facilitate safe and timely discharges from the acute wards at Leeds General Infirmary, St James Hospital and Chapel Allerton Hospital. I provide early neurorehabilitation, education and support for patients and their families in their own homes for up to eight weeks post discharge. The aim is to help ease the transition back home and to enable people to resume their usual activities including returning to work where appropriate. I also help to manage any risks associated with patient’s cognitive or behavioural changes and any pre-existing social issues (eg homelessness, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence).
In the early days of coming home from hospital, I act as a point of contact for patients and their families to answer questions, decode any medical jargon and help them start to come to terms with their brain injury/tumour. I complete assessments, help patient’s set meaningful goals and create treatment plans to work on their goals.
A lot of my work involves advocacy and signposting. Before our team was set up (which was in 2019) people often came home from hospital with no support or were on long waiting lists for the main community neuro rehab team. This often resulted in people struggling with low mood, cognitive difficulties, issues with work and relationships. I believe our team provide invaluable help for people in the early days of recovery and can help minimise the risk of these issues happening.
What are the most important qualities an occupational therapist needs?
Tenacity, organisation, compassion, a “can-do” attitude, empathy, autonomy and assertiveness.
How did you studies at LBU help prepare you for your career and what advice would you give to current students?
The inquiry based learning element of the course at LBU helped me become an autonomous and proactive learner which was incredibly valuable as a newly qualified OT.
My advice for current OT students would be to take all the opportunities available during placements, choose a research topic you are passionate about and make time for your own meaningful occupations.
To find out more about occupational therapy courses at Leeds Beckett University please click here.
