Audit Cluster - 12

Student Placement Profile

Occupational Therapy - Clinical Advisory Team (CAT)

Service / The Clinical Advisory team is made up of various professions with expertise in specific areas i.e. Moving & Handling, Pressure Relief, Posture Management & Equipment for Independence. The team work with all age groups & cover all services within Solent NHS Trust.
We offer telephone advice regarding equipment selection, we provide teaching on our specialities, wejoint visit with multi-disciplinary colleagues to support & advise patients/clients in the community setting & we work closely with our Commissioning bodies to support service development.
Location(s) / Based at Millbrook Healthcare, Unit12A &13A Railway Triangle, Walton Road, Portsmouth PO6 1TN
Key contact details / Sadie Edney =
Sarah Jamieson =
Pam Wood =
Description of Service / Portsmouth team consists of: 3 x Clinical Advisors
Sadie Edney, Clinical Advisor – Moving & handling
Sarah Jamieson, Clinical Advisor – Posture management
Pam Wood, Clinical Advisor – Pressure relief
Each advisor:
  • Teaches on their given speciality
  • Joint visits with other professionals to support & advise within the patients/clients home environment
  • Authorises/approves (on behalf of the Commissioners) the purchase of specialist equipment.
  • Develops the service with our commissioners
  • Supports Millbrook staff with day to day equipment queries
  • Is involved in Solent NHS Trust developments with regard to developing Policies & procedures
  • Belongs to National & International bodies to ensure up to date, relevant information is cascaded to our colleagues.

Involved with all the various teams within Solent as & when required.
Southampton also has a Clinical Advisory Team & each city covers for the other when required.
Work/Shift pattern / Working hours normally 08:00am – 16:00pm
Dress/Uniform code / Uniform to be worn
Staff room / Rest Room facilities / Kitchen facilities available
Library / IT Resources / No IT resources available for students at this venue they would need to use University facilities
Induction / Orientation Programmes
Welcome Folder / Due to the specialist nature of the team no formal inductions pack in place. However, full orientation & general welcome given on arrival & ongoing throughout placement
Student Tutorial / Seminar Programme (if available) / If advisors are running training at the time of placement student’s will be encouraged to attend
Prior recommended reading / websites / resources / Not prior to placement
Common assessments / interventions / procedures / treatments / evaluations / The clinical advisory team do not case hold but operate a ‘Holding Hands’ approach to support & up skill professionals within Solent NHS Trust at joint visits & with telephone advice.
Whilst supporting professionals at joint visits we would adviseonpatient assessment & risk assessment & we would trigger referrals for continence assessment and care, nutritional assessment, falls assessments, wound care, palliative care, personal care, medication administration, long term condition management
Continuing Healthcare Assessments
Common conditions seen / Long term conditions i.e. MS, MND, Parkinson’s, CVA, CP, End of life &
Paediatric support
Specific areas of expertise/clinical skills which students can observe / learn from / Practice / As outlined above
List of inter-professional learning opportunities available during placement / As stated above if training occurs during the placement student will be able to attend.
Opportunity to observe the support required for patients with long term condition management
Our expectations of learners whilst on this placement / Due to the specialities of the team students will have the opportunity to observe & understand the specific roles of each advisor & the support they provide to Solent NHS Trust staff in supporting patients to maintain their quality of life & remain at home.
**Please ensure that you make contact with your placement area and your mentor prior to the start of your placement
What our students had to say