The Primary Care Cluster Occupational Therapy Team comprises:
- Katy Silcox, Senior Occupational Therapist
- Rowan Pengelly, Occupational Therapy Technician
The team operates Monday to Wednesday across the following locations:
- Clydach Primary Care Centre
- Sway Road Surgery
- New Cross Surgery
- Strawberry Place Surgery
- Llansamlet Surgery
What do Occupational Therapists (OTs) do?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) provide practical support to help individuals engage in activities that matter to them. They assess a person's strengths, functional abilities, and health care needs, identifying what they want and need to do. OTs consider whether the environment; home, workplace, or community supports or hinders an individual's ability to do these activities. They work with them, to find ways to make daily tasks and activities more manageable. This support may include:
- Managing tasks within the home
- Accessing and doing the things that matter to you in your community
- Finding or staying in work/education
- Dealing with how the symptoms of a health condition affect your everyday life.
What does the Cluster Primary Care Occupational Therapy Service offer?
The service provides holistic and proactive OT assessments, support, and follow-up, tailored to individual needs. Support can take place in your home, community, or GP surgery. Using a “what matters to me” approach, the team identifies issues, barriers, and strengths in collaboration with individuals and their families. Patient-centered goals are set and worked towards through short-term interventions, including:
- Supported self-management of chronic conditions
- Equipment provision
- Falls assessment
- Relaxation techniques
- Cognitive review
- Functional assessment and practice
- Onward referral to other services
- Support with returning to work
- Low-level mental health support
- Carer support
Who can be seen by the OT Service?
The service accepts referrals for individuals aged 18 and over who are willing to engage in occupational therapy. The service cannot see individuals currently under the care of another therapy team or require same-day or next-day services.
Referral method
The service is fully embedded within the Cwmtawe Cluster. Referrals can be made directly by any professional within the Cwmtawe GP surgeries. Self-referrals are also accepted. To self-refer, individuals can contact their GP surgery and request an initial call from the Occupational Therapy team.
What happens next?
Following a referral, an initial telephone review will be conducted. During this call, the team will discuss the reason for referral, gather background information, and establish goals. This helps determine whether the OT team is the best fit for your needs. If so, a date will be set for the first assessment.