Beth Curtis

An elderly patient called me over. “I know I’m in hospital, but I’m bored and COLD! No one talks to me.” After getting a blanket and coffee, we had a chat. Wards are busy, but our patients get lonely too. She seemed so much happier after. Small interactions have a big impact 👍🏽

I received a letter from a patient today, thanking me for my support throughout their admission. I’ve had my fair share of imposter syndrome, but the line “you helped me see beyond survival and that life can truly be lived if you don’t give up” shows me I’m on the right path! 💚

Happy graduation day! First class BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy 🎓

And just like that, I’ve finished my first week on an acute inpatient mental health ward. So happy that years of hard work has led me to my dream job 💚

@StudentOTs Like a lot of things, it’s what you make of it (within reason)😊 Tricky as a graduate who is finding their feet in OT but dependent on the team around you. Strong professional advocacy, keeping up with contemporary policy/research and networking always helps to develop skills!

Do you think working in an acute care setting as an occupational therapist offers the best opportunity to develop essential skills? Discuss

she is going home to make soup

@Lizzie_OT @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs @CarolyneHague @DevonAHPFaculty @ahpsindevon @carrie_biddle Thank you Lizzie!

@OTBPLYM @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs Perhaps reach out to @CarolyneHague @DevonAHPFaculty @ahpsindevon @carrie_biddle ? Good luck

I am actively seeking a mental health career in Plymouth, Devon. I have completed an occupational therapy degree and will be staying in Devon long term. If anyone can signpost me in the right direction, please get in touch. Thank you! @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs

@TheEllisLife @sadieA @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs @DPT_NHS Thank you Jade 😊 Would you be able to follow so I can message? Speak soon

@OTBPLYM @sadieA @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs @DPT_NHS Hi Beth, feel free to reach out to me if you want to talk about anything inpatient or HTT related as an OT role ☺️ Good luck with your job searching - what an exciting time for you! X

@livewellsw @DPT_Jobs @theRCOT @StudentOTs I’ve sent an email across today, thank you!

@OTBPLYM @DPT_Jobs @theRCOT @StudentOTs Hi Beth. Please email Livewell.Recruitment@nhs.net

@sadieA @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs @DPT_NHS Thank you for reaching out, I’ll be in contact 😊

@DPT_Jobs @OTBPLYM @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs @DPT_NHS This - look at our opportunities and feel free to DM with any questions. Amazing place to live and we are a great place to work

@ella_roseveare @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs That’s helpful, thank you for reaching out. As a non-driver, I will only be able to learn once employed. Therefore, commuting opportunities are out of reach for now. Always keeping Dawlish in mind 😊

@OTBPLYM @DPT_Jobs @livewellsw @theRCOT @StudentOTs Don't know if you can commute. But the Chadwell Centre in Paignton helps people with mental health conditions. Also Dawlish ..not sure the name of it. But if you search mental health you'd probably find it.

@EmilyThubronOT Thank you Emily, means a lot coming from you 😊

@OTBPLYM Well done Beth!! Well deserved 👍🏻

Absolutely over the moon to get 93 in my final placement! 12 weeks of complete focus and worth every second. Found a love for service development and consolidated skills in mental health which I can use across my career. Very lucky - very tired 👏🏼

@OTRhiannonS Any luck? 😊

For students and qualified occupational therapists, I am creating an induction pack for new staff working in inpatient mental health services. On reflection, If you were either newly qualified or new to mental health, what information would you have found helpful to know?

@SusanMadigan3 Thank you for finding this so quickly! I’ll make sure to add these in and see if I can find any further research. Definitely something I’ve recognised in ward visits. As you say, reality vs statistics are likely much higher so important to have awareness of this!

@OTBPLYM David et al found in a study of 172 first time attenders at a psychiatric outpatient clinic for 18-25 year olds that 63% met criteria for autism or ADHD

For the last 8 weeks, my life has been placement, eat, sleep, repeat! A day at the beach has done me the world of good 😄

@MOHOspark @ChrisEdge81 Thank you Sue!

@SusanMadigan3 Would you be able to signpost me to this research? I’d like to reference these statistics to emphasise the importance of this

@OTBPLYM I think it's important for any clinician starting in MH to have a good knowledge of neurodivergence. Some research puts the number of inpatients that are autistic and/or adhd at 20%. I'm sure it's higher.

@SusanMadigan3 Great idea! I’ve looked into sensory integration but executive functioning is equally important, thank you for this.

@OTBPLYM It's important to know this so that we can properly understand and collaborate with patients/service users in the best way.Knowledge of executive functions and how they might be different is essential. Typically neurodivergence in adults is not included in mental health education