Occupational therapists (OTs) are to be highlighted through a series of displays next week.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) and the Bermuda Occupational Therapy Association (BOTA) are celebrating Occupational Therapy Week.

Members of the public are invited to meet with OTs at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) on April 12.

There, they have an opportunity to learn about services OTs offer to persons after an injury, medical illness, surgical procedure, developmental delay or mental health problems.

There are currently four OTs at KEMH and nine at MWI.

They provide assessment and intervention for functional tasks such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation and vocational training.

They also provide neonatal intervention for premature babies which includes 'hands-on' training and education for mothers.

Sita Ingram, clinical director of Allied Health Services, said: "OTs focus on getting beyond challenges to facilitate solutions that assist people to live life to its fullest.

"These solutions can be suggesting adapted ways to perform a routine task, training a patient how to use specialised equipment or making modification recommendations for independent access to buildings and surroundings.

"OTs also undertake worksite assessments and recommendations and identify and promote alternative behaviours that support healthy living and prevent recurrent illness or injury."

She continued: "OTs assist people who are debilitated or disabled and totally reliant on others to achieve independence. The extent to which independence is achieved is individualised, subsequently the outcome will vary in degree and form for each person.

"At both hospitals, OTs play a vital role in helping people to actively engage in living safe and productive lives in multiple environments of their choosing."

BOTA president Morissa Rogers said: "The role of an OT is to customise strategies and modifications so clients can resolve problems, improve function and manage everyday living activities. The goal is to maximise independence."