The Cygnet Hospital Bierley Therapies Team consists of, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, occupational therapy assistants (Activity Coordinators), a Service User Involvement Lead, and a Music Tutor. We also employ team members to attend the site on a sessional basis including a dietician, a chiropodist and beauty therapist.

Members of the therapy team are represented and provide reports as indicated for CPA meetings and Managers Review of Detention/Tribunal Hearings.

Occupational Therapy

The occupational therapy team’s philosophy acknowledges the link between occupation and an individual’s health and wellbeing. The philosophy focuses on the concept that occupation is essential to enhance health and wellbeing. To occupational therapists ‘occupation’ means the activities which an individual undertakes, participates in, enjoys and values. For example: self-care, productivity and leisure activities.

Occupational therapy aims to enhance an individual’s independence and assist with achieving their maximum potential. The aim of occupational therapy is to promote independence, community integration and to develop and maintain activities of daily living skills. Occupational therapists work with the Activity Co-ordinators to provide activities that encourage people to engage in and cope with daily life.

The model used at Cygnet Hospital Bierley by occupational therapists is the Model of Human Occupation. The Model of Human Occupation focuses on Volition, Habituation, Performance and Environment and provides a holistic view of the service user.

The occupational therapist works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and attends ward round and Care Programme Approach (CPA) meetings.

The department is supported by a number of Activity Coordinators, a music tutor, a dietician and complimentary therapies framed within the Therapy timetable and prospectus for the Recovery College.

Healthy Lifestyles and Physical Health

We have a fully equipped gym on site and our Activity Coordinators ensure service users are provided with an induction on safe use which links to the physical health assessment completed by the Ward Doctor as needed. A range of group and individual activities can also be planned within an individual timetable including access to community sporting facilities, healthy lifestyle groups and smoking cessation.

Onward referral to the GP and specialist physical health care providers is available to meet individual needs.