I qualified in 1984 as a young and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist full of energy and passion for my career. A ‘few years’ later I’m not so young, but I am still enthusiastic and passionate about all things OT and I like to think I have some energy reserves left for more.

I have always enjoyed the acute hospital setting where the pace is frenetic and plans change daily, if not hourly. My area of interest has always been Neurosciences but a few years back I was asked to also lead the HCE team, and I must say I have come to love this area equally as much.

The diversity of my job

So, one minute I might be dealing with a young head injury patient, and the next it might be an elderly patient struggling to manage alone. Either way, they need OT to support them to leave hospital and get home to continue living life the way they want to – and that is what it’s all about for me; enabling someone to live the life they deserve.

Of course, very few people want to be in hospital, but many also fear the reality of going home and managing their daily routine. We focus on activities of daily living, which when you’re well, can be taken for granted. When your body doesn’t move properly, your brain won’t process things properly and you’re feeling unwell, it gets more complicated.

As an OT I’m not going to change the world; but I can help to improve a patient’s world.

That’s why I look forward to coming into work and why I’m proud to be an Occupational Therapist…still!

Joanna Murphy

Occupational Therapist

Joanna is writing as part of the #WeCare2 campaign that will be running across our Trust communications. Look out for more from Occupational Therapy, and their AHP and HCS colleagues, on our social media pages, Trust screensavers, Daily Email, Vital Signs and much more.