"Palliative care is.... teamwork at its best"

 An occupational therapist with a vision of how palliative care services should be set up for the future, is now in charge of allied health professionals at a Penarth hospice. 

Rebecca Lewis has worked at the Marie Curie – Cardiff and the Vale hospice for the past three years, and has been an occupational therapist in palliative care for 10 years. 

Earlier this year, she was promoted to the role of Allied Health Services Manager, which involves working with social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, while developing services across the hospice and in the community. 

Rebecca wanted to highlight the role of Occupational Therapists during Occupational Therapy week, which runs from November 6 to 12. 

Speaking about how she became involved in palliative care, Rebecca said: “When I first qualified, for the first two years I worked on rotation in the health services, different places and different hospitals.  I remember I never wanted to work with anyone who was dying, or who was going to die when I trained as an OT. 

“But when I was working in an acute hospital, I found everyone came together when we had palliative patients.  Everyone made sure the patient went home if they wanted to.  It was really team work at its best, because you try everything to make sure you get the best for these patients.” 

Three years ago, Rebecca ended up with a role at the Marie Curie hospice and said since working there, she has developed an interest in rehabilitative palliative care and in groups being run in the day therapy unit, helping people with symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue. 

“(In palliative care), you’ve got to get it right first time,” said the 36-year-old. 

“You have got to think on your feet and my problem-solving skills get tested daily.  We’re trying to maximise the quality of life when someone is facing the end of their life – trying to help people who have still got a life to live. 

“I work with inpatients, outpatients and with the community team, so it’s really varied and I love that part of the role.”

Occupational therapy work includes adapting equipment, ensuring people have access to a toilet at home and ensuring they are able to get in and out of bed.  The team will also train families on manual handling techniques to support them in providing care at home for their relatives. 

Speaking about her management role, Rebecca added:  “At the moment, palliative care is changing and we have more of a need for Allied Health Professionals to help people manage their long term conditions. 

“I had that vision of how it should be, and wanted to lead the team to be fit for meeting the palliative care needs of the future. 

“I will develop those services across the three areas we provide care in (inpatient, outpatient and community).  I’m looking forward to getting these functions right and growing the team so it’s fit to meet the changing needs for palliative care.”