Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I am a UK trained senior Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience in mental health, specializing in the care of older adults. My expertise is grounded in both clinical practice and a thorough understanding of relevant legislation, alongside a commitment to staying current with emerging research and developments. Over the past decade, I have actively participated in significant healthcare changes and seen how these advancements have enhanced patient care across community settings, acute inpatient facilities, and care homes.
- Providing professional leadership for Occupational Therapy services at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. - Key member of the Older Adults CAG, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to support patients. - Conducting person-centred assessments and interventions, both individual and group-based, aligning with service development opportunities. - Training nursing staff in mental state examinations, psychosocial interventions, and therapeutic engagement through meaningful activities. - Designing workshops for the Nursing Development Program on patient engagement and communication. - Delivering training and presentations on evidence-based practices, including Assistive Technology, Telecare in Dementia, and stress-related addictions. - Leading a pilot program to implement Cognitive Stimulation Therapy in Arabic, a first in the Arab World.
- Designated Occupational Therapist for Older People's Community Mental Health Team and Memory Clinic, providing specialized assessments for patients with functional mental health needs and dementia. - Managed a caseload and received specialized referrals from various service strands, including memory clinic, community mental health, and home treatment teams. - Delivered psychoeducational courses for patients and caregivers on dementia-related changes, risk management, and advancements in assistive technology and telecare. - Led and co-facilitated therapeutic groups, including CBT for carers and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy in English and Punjabi. - Lead clinician for prescribing Telecare and Assistive Technology to support independent living and reduce caregiver stress. - Contributed to multiple quality improvement initiatives and spearheaded staff wellness programs, incorporating systems thinking and wellness models. - Played a key role in implementing paper-lite services and remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, improving efficiency and communication across sectors. - Involved in a Trust-wide working group exploring virtual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy using Microsoft Teams.