What's on in June 2022? Occupational therapy, brain injury and neurorehabilitation events
We've rounded up some of the main events on offer this June for anyone interested in occupational therapy, brain injury and neurorehabilitation.
You will find all the links to these fantastic events at the bottom of the page or via the numbers referenced.
Unpaid carers and the challenges of caring should be recognised in all areas of life. Caring should be valued and respected by everyone in our society.
Do you care?
‘Visible, valued and supported’ should be a reality for the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers which is why it’s the goal of this year’s Carers Week campaign.
According to the seven charities behind the campaign, the covid pandemic had a 'monumental' impact on carers' lives.
Some faced increased amounts of care while others took on new caring responsibilities for family and friends in need.
"We believe that unpaid carers and the challenges of caring should be recognised in all areas of life," a Carers Week spokesperson said.
"Caring should be valued and respected by everyone in our society, and carers should have access to the information and support they need, where and when they need it."
There will be a different focus around the theme on each day of the campaign, which runs from the 6th to the 12th of June.
Topics will include health and social care issues impacting carers, work and employment, and younger and older carers.
Full details of the hundreds of Carers Week activities going on around the U.K. are here: [1]
This month's (2!) featured events…
R.C.O.T. Conference 2022
"They taught me much more than being able to walk. I learned that we need to redefine what 'getting better' means." Author and poet Michael Rosen [2]
It's official! This month's R.C.O.T. Conference is going to be E.P.I.C. – and that's just the initials of the four core themes this year:
- Embracing the digital world.
- Powering breakthroughs.
- Innovating our profession.
- Connecting health and social care.
Sparking discussion around these topics will be an equally epic line-up of speakers, including:
- Renowned author and poet Michael Rosen – O.T.s were among those who helped Michael learn to walk again after he experienced a 40-day induced coma due to contracting covid in March 2020.
- The U.K.'s four Chief Allied Health Professions Officers: Suzanne Rastrick O.B.E. (England); Ruth Crowder (Wales); Suzanne Martin (Northern Ireland); and Carolyn McDonald (Scotland)
- Associate Director of Allied Health Professions, Emma Nicklin
- The U.K. Government's Disability and Access Ambassador for the Technology and Web Sector, Hector Minto from Microsoft.
- Head of H.M. Prison and Probation Service Future Regime Design, Chris Gunderson
There will also be updates on: the R.C.O.T. Research Network, a proposal to introduce doctoral-level studies as a different route to O.T. registration, and LGBTQIA+ community activity within the profession.
All the sessions at this year's event on the 14th and 15th of May are virtual. For complete programme details and tickets, Head here: [2]
B.A.B.I.C.M. Conference 2022
Come and say hello to us! Krysalis will be joining exhibitors at the annual conference of the British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management (B.A.B.I.C.M.) this month.
Brain injuries linked to sports, homelessness and the criminal justice system take precedence at the 2022 event, which is fittingly entitled, 'Down But Not Out: The Fighter Still Remains'.
Among the speakers aiming to raise awareness of the issues surrounding brain injury in these three societal areas will be:
- Dawn Astle, the daughter of Jeffrey Astle, the English professional footballer - looks at how her father's success sadly resulted in his dementia.
- British equestrian Laura Collett M.B.E. – explains how she was still able to 'go for gold' despite suffering severe multiple injuries after falling from a horse in 2013.
- Professor Huw William, Dr Mark Holloway and speakers from the Open Justice Project – outlining the latest evidence and human rights protections surrounding brain injury, young offenders, and homeless people.
Other experts and exhibitors – including Krysalis - will be on hand to offer advice and product information to enhance brain injury and complex case management services.
The conference is being held on the 15th and 16th of June at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham – and we look forward to seeing you there!
More details here: [3]
Cracking case managers
How do you spot a class act among case managers? And do you rate their ability just by their clinical experience?
Find the answers to these questions and more at a Brain Injury Group webinar this month with Bush & Co's clinical operations managers, Barry Lehane and Mary Whittle.
The session on 21st June will explore the experience, skills and qualities needed in a good brain injury case manager - plus what 'good' looks like.
More details about the webinar, 'Finding the right brain injury case manager: More than clinical experience' here: [4]
COTS 2022
The southwest welcomes the 2022 Care and Occupational Therapy Show this month, bringing care home professionals and O.T.s together at a trade event dedicated to them.
Products, services, panel discussions and six internationally renowned healthcare speakers will be present at the exhibition at Westpoint Arena in Exeter on 21st June. Please read all about it here: [5]
Super Sensory!
Enjoy a family day of fun participating in the smashing Super Sensory 1K in aid of The Children's Trust this month.
Walk, run, wheel, or cycle your way along 100m, 5K, or 10K routes around Windsor's wonderful Great Park before finishing at a 'fantastic festival of inclusivity.
Changing areas, accessibility, quiet zones, and refreshments are all catered for at the event on the 26th June.
More details about signing up as part of the trust's Parallel 2022 team are here: [6]
Brain injury best outcomes
Update your knowledge of achieving the best outcomes for brain injury survivors during a one-day training event with leading U.K. experts.
Speakers and topics at the Brain Injury Group (BIG) event will include:
- Dr David Henderson Slater from the Oxford Centre for Enablement - Rehabilitation and the challenges of Covid
- Euan Roberson of Bush & Co – cognition, language, and communication post brain injury
- Rob White from Calvert Reconnections Neurorehabilitation Centre
- Dr Penny Trayner of Clinical Neuropsychology Services - Grieving for a life that's lost but not lost
A BIG spokesperson said, "The pandemic had a major effect on the way rehabilitation was delivered.
This event will look at these changes, as well as recent developments and how attendees can support their clients to achieve the best recovery possible following a brain injury.
The training day in Milton Keynes is on 28th June. Further information here: [7]
Virtual visiting
Digital communication as an alternative to in-person visiting appears to be an acceptable surrogate for supporting relatives' emotional and attachment needs.
Discover how digital communication fared as an alternative to hospital visiting during the covid pandemic in a virtual brain injury update this month.
Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Georgie Boothroyd from the Oxford Centre for Enablement will be presenting the interim findings of a study into the impact of virtual hospital visits on patients, family, and staff.
The centre serves patients with highly complex changes resulting from neurological conditions and acquired brain injury (A.B.I.).
It reports that the covid pandemic 'dramatically impacted' its services as 'almost overnight' families were no longer able to visit patients.
The Thames Valley A.B.I is hosting the event on 30th June. Forum.
Attend online or in-person (15 spaces) at Royds Withy King's offices in Oxford. More details here: [8]
N.C.O.R.E.
Here are some of the courses on offer via the N.H.S.'s National Centre of Rehabilitation Education this month:
8th June: A Journey Through Leadership Using Empathy
9th June: A Journey through the 'BE HUMAN' Model
13th June: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: working collaboratively with
our clients when we get stuck
14th June: Apraxia - Implementing the Evidence into Practice
16th June: Bobath Introductory Module 2 - The Integration of Postural Control and
Selective Movement for Functional Activities (Part A)
16th June: Vestibular Rehabilitation including Cervicogenic Dizziness
20th June: Posture and Balance as it Relates to Selective Control
of the Upper Limb
22nd June: Assessment and Ideas for the Treatment of the Wrist and Hand in Adults
with Neurological Damage
23rd June: Bobath Introductory Module 3 – The Integration of Postural Control and
Selective Movement for Functional Activities (Part B)
27th June: Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) online plus a 5-day course
28th June: Task-Specific Training - Sit to Stand and Walking
Further details on these and other N.C.O.R.E. courses are here: [9]
R.C.O.T. roundup
And here are some of the courses available via the Royal College of Occupational Therapists:
6th June to 4th July: R.C.O.T. practice-based learning programme
6th and 7th June: Evidence-based practical application for the treatment of Cerebral Palsy: A two-day course for therapy assistants and technicians
7th June: Sleep in Complex Conditions: Online Course in CBTi
8th June: Major Adaptations for O.T.s
9th June: How to be an Independent O.T.
13th June: R.C.O.T. South East Region - Sexuality as an Occupation
14th to 17th of June: European Seating Symposium
15th June: Assistive technology and its application to eating, drinking and activity challenges for people with complex needs
17th June: S.H.A. lunch time C.P.D. catch-up: Recommending the best equipment for users in shower and toilet environments
23rd June: Primary Care Monthly Drop-in Session
24th June: Research webinar Q&A series: First steps to developing a research career
28th June: Research webinar Q&A series: Professor Pip Logan on The National Institute for Health and Care Research (N.I.H.R.): how can occupational therapists get involved?
30th June: Unilateral Cerebral Palsy - A Practical Application
Full details about R.C.O.T. courses and costs can be found here: [10]
Recently on talking heads...
References
1. Carers Week
2. R.C.O.T. Annual Conference 2022
3. B.A.B.I.C.M. Annual Conference 2022
4. BIG webinar: 'Finding the right brain injury case manager: More than clinical experience.'
5. COTS 2022
6. The Children's Trust: Parallel 2022
7. BIG training day: Supporting clients' best outcomes after brain injury
8. T.V.A.B.I.F. meeting: family and staff experiences of digital communication during COVID
10. R.C.O.T. events