Occupational therapy impact
Improved access, decreased demand. In Lanarkshire, 55% of patients had fewer GP appointments after occupational therapy interventions. 97% had improved quality of life and 88% improved their activities of daily living and functional outcomes.
In North Wales, 76% of patients with mental health problems received self-management interventions and 67% of these avoided the need to see the GP leading to cost savings of £327.59 per patient. There was also a decrease in referrals to secondary care by a third, improving access to services for those who really need it.
In Northern Ireland, occupational therapists working in primary care mental health teams offer trauma informed supported self-help. 97% of patients were very satisfied with their service and 45% saw a decrease in onward referrals.
In Sussex, an occupational therapy led service for high intensity users in primary care led to 20% reduction in GP contacts after occupational therapy intervention.
I get to stop pulling my hair out – it was frustrating because you could see somebody had these needs and you were just directing them to the internet.
Improved functioning and activity levels. In Pembrokeshire, 67% of patients referred to primary care occupational therapists showed improvement in their everyday function and home safety.
Improved independence. In Sheffield, all frail patients seen over 12 months by an occupational therapist achieved their functional independence goals. 38% achieved more than they expected and 21% achieved their best outcome.
In North Wales, 75% of older adults using a primary care occupational therapy service saw improvements in their activities of daily living around the home.
She’s been nothing but a help to me. She’s there to listen and to help. She comes up with suggestions…all these things make a difference. They keep people like me who don’t want to be a burden – I’ve been independent…I want to do stuff for myself.
Improved health and lifestyle skills. In Glasgow, an occupational therapy primary care mental health service saw 61% improvements in self-management, a 45% increase in activities of daily living, a 38% increase in employability and a 39% reduction in GP appointments.
In Lanarkshire, 61% of patients with chronic pain seen by occupational therapists made some or significant progress with improvements in mental wellbeing.
Improved cost savings. In Yorkshire, a proactive occupational therapy service for older adults delivered over six months made cost savings of £767 204.
In London, vocational clinics in GP surgeries saw a reduction in use of fit notes and sickness absence from 65% to 3%. It also resulted in improvements in quality of life, perceived work ability and health perception. Cost benefits per person due to return to work were £4k per person.