About us + joining our team

Who is in the Hand Therapy Team?

We are a team of ten full-time equivalent Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, supported by three Administrative Staff and three Technicians. We work as a specialist team, with close support from the Hand and Plastics Surgeons at the hospital.

Where we work?

We assess and treat patients with various acquired, traumatic, neurological and congenital conditions. We work in the therapy outpatient clinic and alongside our consultants in their clinics. We hold a therapy-led Hand Trauma Clinic and work within a congenital hand clinic. Patients are seen as outpatients, during their in-patient stay, or directly from trauma clinic and/or our minor injuries unit.

Support and teaching

We are a supportive team with weekly supervision sessions, weekly teaching sessions, access to doctors’ training and have internal and external development opportunities. A supportive library team and our Learning and Development Centre help to facilitate this.

When joining the team new starters have much support with an in-depth training programme, as we recognise not everyone will have experience in the speciality of hand therapy.

Well-being is an essential part of working at QVH and we incorporate well-being and team building into our training sessions. ‘Willie the Whale is our team mascot, and is awarded by team members to each other on a weekly basis for achievements, whether they are serious achievements or for fun.

Who we work with?

The Hand Therapy Team work closely with the hands and plastics consultants at QVH. We have collaborative weekly clinics with each of the hand surgeons, where patients can see the consultant and therapist at the same appointment.

Hand surgery

At QVH, we are very lucky to have a pressure garment service on site. The Pressure Garment Team is comprised of highly trained technicians, who support us in making bespoke garments and splints for patients.

Pressure garments

We have close links, and regularly work with, the wider multi-disciplinary team including nurses, sonographers, radiology, theatres, site practitioners, musculoskeletal therapists and many more.

Research and audit

We actively take part in research, with close support from the research team. Audits are regularly run within the team with opportunities for all staff to take part.

Joining our team

If you are interested in joining our team (and being the next winner of ‘Willie the Whale’) or have any questions please email qvh.handtherapy@nhs.net Bank workers, return to work and apprenticeships may be considered, please get in touch via email.

Are you a student?

We regularly facilitate Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students in Hand Therapy. If you have an interest in hand therapy and would like to join us for a placement, please email qvh.handtherapy@nhs.net