Lack of OT only temporary

The Hawke’s Bay District Health Board says the lack of an permanent occupational therapist in CHB will only be temporary.

The HBDHB provides a permanent occupational therapy (OT) service in CHB, however the position became vacant in July and a permanent replacement has yet to be appointed.

“Unfortunately recruitment to this position was unsuccessful,” said a HBDHB spokesperson.

“An OT therapy assistant is now working three days per week in CHB and a replacement OT is working every Thursday afternoon and all day Friday until the permanent appointment is found.

“Anyone in CHB referred for [OT] will be seen and well cared for. We encourage people to make contact with us if they are concerned or need urgent attention.”

A CHB client claimed the lack of a dedicated occupational therapist had left “many disabled clients in difficult situations without any decent support.”

The DHB said OTs from Hastings had been visiting CHB weekly or fortnightly in the interim, but the client complained those OTs did not have “an ongoing relationship” with CHB clients. “In fact they are under pressure with their own heavy workloads, let alone dealing with extra clients.”