ABOUT ENGAGE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Value. Quality Care. Convenience.
Occupational therapy provides practical support to enable people to facilitate recovery and overcome any barriers that prevent them from doing the activities (occupations) that matter to them. This helps to increase people's independence and satisfaction in all aspects of life.
"Occupation" refers to practical and purposeful activities that allow people to live independently and have a sense of identity. This could be essential day-to-day tasks such as self-care, work or leisure.
Occupational therapists work with adults and children of all ages with a wide range of conditions; most commonly those who have difficulties due to a mental health illness, physical or learning disabilities. They can work in a variety of settings including health organizations, social care services, housing, education, re-employment schemes, occupational health, prisons, voluntary organisations or as independent practitioners
BARBARA FRANKS
Owner & Advanced Occupational Therapist
Barbara qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1998 from the University of Newcastle at Northumbria and has spent the majority of her career in the field of adult community rehabilitation. She has significant experience in the assessment and treatment of clients who have conditions including but not limited to Multiple Sclerosis; Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebrovascular Accident, Motor Neurone Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Falls, joint replacements, Fibromyalgia and Arthritic conditions.
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Her previous roles have been within inpatient settings, involving the assessment of a wide range of physical health conditions and requiring expertise in time management to facilitate timely discharge planning.
She has developed specialist skills in assessing the client in relation to their physical, cognitive and psycho-social functioning and has a particular interest in postural management. Within her current scope of practice she carries out fatigue management; relaxation; anxiety management; environmental assessments and falls prevention. She is required to have an in-depth knowledge of adaptive equipment for this role to maximise the client’s functional abilities and complete comprehensive reports to request funding for specialist equipment.
Barbara utilises her skills within the area of postural management to integrate with tissue viability, ensuring a holistic approach to pressure care and has completed and led training for nursing colleagues in this area.
Working for Somek Associates she accepts instructions from both Claimant and Defendant Solicitors and Insurers. She has undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and is fully aware of her responsibilities under the Civil Procedures Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses.
She has undertaken post graduate training in this area to enhance her skills. Barbara also maintains her professional development through regular supervision and training.