Occupational therapy – Devon

“It’s a much more environmentally friendly way of working and it’s popular with my patients too – reducing the stress and discomfort of travelling to hospital.”

Jo is an Advanced Occupational Therapist in Rheumatology based within the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. She splits her time working in hospital and from her barge, delivering remote occupational therapy sessions to patients who might experience discomfort when travelling due to limited mobility. While patients can always opt for a face-to-face appointment, those who choose remote options can reduce the discomfort of travelling.

Across the Integrated Care System in Devon hospitals, video and phone appointments have saved patients an estimated 13.5 million miles of travelling over the course of a year, and saved 2,503 tonnes of carbon dioxide – the same as taking 1,200 cars off the road.