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Wednesday 9th May saw 16 students and myself from RGS, arriving at the Education Centre at RVI to meet Therapy Services representatives. We were amazed that at least two ( sometimes up to 4) representatives were there from each of the six Therapy Services.

 

We were welcomed by Carrie Miller and Alison Davison, they  co-chaired the meeting. It was an extraordinary experience for myself and the students to be in a room with so many experts; people at the top of their field, people with really dynamic personalities and passion for their roles. They each talked in turn; saying what their role was and how they fitted into the team. My students also introduced themselves and said which of the six services they were interested in making work about…. Carrie and I kept chipping in with contexts and everyone seemed aware that the atmosphere in the room was one of celebration of talent and expertise. Alison had prepared a wonderful case study and gently encouraged us to think about the feelings of the patient as her case study story unfolded. I loved Alison’s questions, open; thoughtful and encouraging..my students engaged naturally with her.

 

Everyone from RVI clearly knew each other in a professional capacity but also were aware of the specialness of the opportunity of gathering and reflecting on how they all work together.

Alison encouraged the therapists to say how they could treat the case study patient at different points in their story. Each therapist gave clear and detailed suggestions for their specialist interventions. They all seem to work in a bespoke way, observing, puzzling and trying to find innovative ways to lead to a person’s potential comfort and best longterm outcome. Experience, wisdom and courage to try things underpinned all their suggestions and comments. Several therapists commented on how the patient came to hospital with distressed family and it seemed that almost at every turn, the patient’s complex needs were being discussed reviewed and thought about.

Alison talked about SALT and the things we take for granted like swallowing our food and about her decision to sometimes impose nil by mouth and how this often involves therapy experts working out strategies together. The case study wound around the room and experts discussed at each pause how their particular expertise would or could be  called on. Each expert gently spoke about their own experiences of treatments and about their underlying principles. They spoke with passion about the things they had been doing recently in similar circumstances and how following or being part of new research and watching and learning from each other helps them to understand how the knitting together of the therapies creates a community of care.

As each contributor spoke we all became aware of the intensity of the job and how complex the day must be, working between people and how everyone looked after parts of the patient but considered the whole picture at every turn.

 

In all the complexities of patient care, Carrie made us aware of the numbers of people involved in the Therapy Services and how closely they worked together; a symbiosis, community of interaction, with the patient at the centre. The almost parental strength was a recurring theme as patients obviously undergo uncomfortable but essential therapies, the sense of responsibility, value of experience and trust in each other came across and also the fact that every patients’ needs are differently complex.

 

It was very interesting for us to then break away from the case study and go to groups. The students listened intently and all have approached me individually since the day to say how moved they were. The therapists are used to working as a team, they have an incredible skill set and although they hinted at niggles to do with the skill interface between nurses and therapists, they are all passionate about the resourcefulness that enables them to call on each other to contribute to a patient’s care.

We were very excited by our visit to RVI and about the project that is ongoing. We have all created works that relate to a therapy and after meeting the therapists can use the insight we gained in order to become a creative mirror to reflect how brilliant the Therapy Services are.

After getting to know the therapists a little, and visiting where they work and hearing about the extraordinary jobs they do as part of the whole Therapy Services offer, we feel that each person showed their generosity and inspired the student group to work hard to create a strong response to the idea of the Therapy Services.

It is a long term project of self reflection and getting connected. Learning to maintain a blog, Twitter  account and generating posters that raise the profile of this extraordinary group are at least a starting point. we have posters, an app and students to contribute to the Therapy Services conference. A focus for how the services can communicate and thrive seems to be in getting people together, the services are already proactive and dynamic strong team workers.

…and Alison Davison has brilliant blue eyes! and has been amazing at pinning down the things that will make the project work.

Paula Dimarco set up the whole idea of RGS students using their Art to help raise the profile of the Therapy Services;  her belief in others and in their enthusiasms is an inspiration to us all. ..

Carrie Miller has been brilliantly patient and dynamic in setting up the practicalities of the visits. Her ability to reflect on the bigger picture and appreciate and notice the contributions of everyone in the team is quite a skillset.

 

Paula and I are both middle children, she said that in her research on the middle child; often resourceful, independent and highly responsible, we are often neglected. Our talents are quietly overshadowed by our peers. Parents are often oblivious of this neglect.

Therapy Services does seem to be like the middle child in some ways.

Paula made a performance using a case study and an imaginary Rubik’s cube. Each turn represented a Therapy Services intervention . This image alongside the case study is on our first posters, photography by Ruth Gibson.