NHS Lanarkshire’s primary care occupational therapists have continued to provide a range of services to patients during covid-19.

Lisa Greer, Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist, said: “People are often surprised at the range of services that occupational therapists can provide. We can help people address issues affecting their day-to-day routine; we can support people to manage their pain, fatigue and mood changes and we can help people to maintain and return to employment to help improve their quality of life.”

One patient who has benefited from the support of a primary care occupational therapist is Polly from Motherwell. Polly was shielding due to covid-19 and became anxious about her work and about the impact of covid-19.

Polly added: “I had been working from home for just over a week but I did not feel good, I was shaky, nervous and really struggling to cope. I was not sleeping well or eating much, so I called my GP. Everyone I spoke to in the practice was very kind and helpful. I was put on anti-depressant tablets and received lots of supportive phone calls from several lovely GPs.

“I also received weekly calls from Lisa, the Occupational Therapist, providing me with great back-up and very understanding and caring support. Lisa provided me with great ideas to help me get back to eating and getting out for some walks and was always so helpful and kind.”

Lisa added: “Polly is now back at work and feeling more positive than ever. We’re working on expanding our service so that by the end of 2020 we will have occupational therapists working in 25 GP practices across Lanarkshire. We look forward to helping more patients like Polly and doing what we can to improve their quality of life.”