Did the Covid enquiry include the lack of British Sign Language interpreters?

Deaf people were forgotten about during lockdowns and covid health information.

No it doesn’t have a limit so we absolutely can input. But with growing work loads & intensity, I wonder if we need a prompt 🤔
Eg we added period care as a prompt on self care a few years ago

Our MOHOSTs assessment forms do not have a section for pain specifically.

I think we need a specific section for fatigue and pain. Because both highlight the experiences that lead to not being able to do occupations & could help with PIP applications

Thoughts?

> I am half way through and had to take a break because he was so annoying.

> it is an interesting webinar but this is why we need women, queer people and gender diverse people involved in education.
Also no mention of Black people and global majority, which absolutely should be considering the history of gynaecology <

Webinar: Menopause and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome 

Trying to learn about HRT & EDS and the webinar I’m watching the (male) doctor refers to people going through menopause as “ladies” and referred to the male partners. He also made sure to say that men also go through a change and “it’s important to say”. <

www.ehlers-danlos.org/information/...

Thanks @thercot.bsky.social

Yes good point, wonder if RCOT have thoughts 🤔

OT assessments:

Our assessments have always included aspects of ability as well as challenges; however now with the PIP cuts, I feel like if I write anything someone CAN do on a MOHOST, it would be used to cut that persons benefits.

I still have twitter but don’t use it. Now I don’t use it, it’s now relentlessly sending JKR & far right shyte notifications. I never used to get this. I guess now I’m not feeding it, it reverts to its default.

Kept it for the contacts.

Does anyone else think it’s a bit dangerous that the NHS app information is wrong?

I have wrong referrals, wrong diagnosis, wrong medication, wrong requests for action, old appointments which weren’t outcomes etc 🙃

I miss the twitter/X #OT community but I don’t want to use that platform anymore

BBC One - Reunion Convicted for murder, a deaf man fights for redemption – and revenge.

Ok so who is going to nominate #Reunion for an Oscar, BAFTA etc?

This was INCREDIBLE

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Open Letter from AbleOTUK: Opposing Cuts and Calling for Co-Production to Tackle the Real Barriers Faced by Disabled People. We, as members of AbleOTUK, a network of occupational therapists with lived experience of disability, write to express our deep concerns regarding the recent announcement by Liz Kendall, Secretary …

Fellow OTs please sign this open letter from the wonderful @AbleOTUK opposing disability benefit cuts 💚

affinot.co.uk/2025/03/21/o...

#AbleOTUK #DisabilityRights #CoProductionNow

I often feel as an OT that I can’t do anything for patients anymore.

I’m starting to think the most beneficial thing is robust assessments which provide direct evidence for disability benefits.

But then I remember no one reads our OT assessments ☹️🙃

But in all seriousness, I’m an OT in deaf mental health. I’m training to be a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter and yet I have hEDS & my hands/arms hurt.
My hands/wrists are so bendy that I’m injuring them by using BSL.

Closing Long Covid clinics is an act of evil to the victims of the pandemic. How dare they abandon these disabled people, each humans with value, no human is disposable

Does this job role align with our values as a profession?

I want to help people get as much access as possible. Not look for (or make up) ways to cut it.

So why am I seeing loads of anecdotal evidence online of OTs who are PIP advisors doing assessments and taking away support from disabled people?

🤔

If you’re unwell, test and stay away from vulnerable people, old people, children and disabled people.

I had 4 days of 40°c fever 🥵

Photo of a flu test. It is an LFT and positive for Flu B

I caught Influenza B. I don’t know where but it has been like Covid on steroids & I thought Covid was bad (all 7 times I’ve had it!)

I had the flu vaccine and feel like if I didn’t have it I’d be dead.

I bought a test online for £5 mainly because I was worried about bird flu!

My brother reminded me that not only did we go to college dressed like that, there was the kinky day parade where everyone walked through town dressed like that.

One year the Queen was in town and they tried to be in photos 😬

I just remembered when I was in 6th form college in 2001, we had “kinky day” every year where everyone (16-18yr old) would come to college in kinky clothing, bondage, one person came naked wrapped in cling film. Some men dressed up as women.

A little bit horrified now

Teenagers mocked by nurses at Skye House children's psychiatric unit A BBC investigation finds some nurses were verbally abusive and cruel towards unwell teenagers.

Don’t blame the patients, it’s staff culture and frankly people who are cruel and abusive.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We had our first specialist Deaf mental health OT meet up online today! We were from all over England, and one from Ireland too 🤟🏻

Fantastic opportunity
Deaf service
Job vacancy
Occupational therapy
Support Time Recovery Worker
Apply today
Please share
www.nhsjobs.com/job/UK/Manch...

Call for Oxevision cameras to be banned in mental health patients' bedrooms Former mental health patients are worried camera surveillance is being used without explicit consent.

Oxevision technology harms patients:

www.bbc.com/news/article...

I hate the other place. I’m here now, hello!

Photo of a black and white tuxedo cat loafing looking happy on a peach coloured soft blanket. The cat is outside and there is brick behind

Photo of a staff notice board where you can only see a photo of a black and white tuxedo cat. The cat is called Jessie/2TAS and role is “therapy cat”.

Recently I visited a mental health hospital which has a cat at the front door welcoming people. The cat has a badge and official role of “therapy cat”.

I think that’s brilliant. What do you think?

Gregg Wallace accused of asking BSL translator to sign ‘big boobs’, ‘sexy bum’ Audience member who was at BBC live show claims MasterChef presenter was ‘disrespectful’ to interpreter

TW sexual harassment

Respect BSL interpreters. Access isn’t a joke, BSL isn’t a joke. Deaf people aren’t a joke.

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...