Occupational therapy
Following a cancer diagnosis, our Cancer Rehabilitation Team offers occupational assessment and support before and after your surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The team also offers physiotherapy and nutritional assessment and support.
How can an occupational therapist help you?
You may experience symptoms of tiredness, or changes in your routine and ability to function.
An occupational therapist can help you:
- understand the impact of your diagnosis, treatment, and symptoms like tiredness and breathlessness on daily living
- put in place practical strategies to manage the symptoms you experience and maintain a routine to support your independence with daily living activities, for example, getting washed and dressed
- recommend adaptive techniques or assistive equipment to allow you to take part in activities you would like to throughout your cancer treatment and manage side effects such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
- manage your sleep with sleep hygiene habits to support health and activity
- get a cognitive assessment if needed and support with strategies to address memory, planning and cognitive issues
- manage periods of low mood or worry by taking part in daily activity
Who can I speak to about referral?
If you feel you would benefit from a service, please ask your clinical nurse specialist to complete a referral request. The team has referral criteria that you will need to meet in order to be contacted.
What happens after referral?
If your referral is accepted, you could be offered any of the following based on the information provided in the referral:
- one-to-one consultation (either in person or virtual)
- signposting to online information or appropriate services
- written information by post or email
We are based at the following locations:
- King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill
- Beckenham Beacon, Croydon Road, Beckenham