Community Occupational Therapy Service

person holding on to a stainless steel hand rail

Supporting you to live safely and independently at home

Community Occupational Therapy (OT) helps adults who have long-term needs that affect their ability to manage daily activities at home.

Our focus is on functional independence, safety, and the right equipment or adaptations to support long-term living.

What community OT does

We support people who

  • have long term functional needs caused by illness, disability, injury or ageing
  • have reached a baseline level of mobility, with no further improvement expected through rehabilitation
  • need help to manage everyday tasks in the home, such as washing, dressing, toileting, getting in/out of the property, or moving around safely
  • may require equipment, major adaptations, or have housing needs linked to disability and safety

Examples of support we can offer

  • home assessments
  • specialist equipment
  • advice on daily living techniques
  • recommendations for minor and major adaptations

Learn more about how the right adaptions and support can help you

When Community OT is not the right service

We cannot accept referrals for

  • people with short-term rehabilitation potential, where mobility is likely to improve
  • anyone who has recently been discharged from hospital, including mainland hospitals
  • individuals who have recent or upcoming surgery where recovery may change their functional ability
  • anyone with unidentified health issues affecting mobility (including unexplained frequent falls)

These referrals must go through the Single Point of Access (SPOA) at St Mary’s Hospital for appropriate triage. Contact your hospital team, GP or another healthcare professional involved in your care to make a referral for you.

Frequently asked questions

Recently discharged from hospital?

If you have been recently discharged from hospital and your functional ability is not stable, the Acute OT team should have provided the equipment you need to manage at home.

If you have had an operation on the mainland, the hospital’s Acute OT team can contact local services on your behalf.

If you need further assessment, contact your GP to request a referral to SPOA, who can reconnect you with the hospital discharge team if needed.

Having an operation soon and want equipment in place beforehand?

The Acute OT team in hospital is responsible for arranging essential equipment for your discharge.

If you would like items in advance for reassurance or convenience, you may borrow a range of low level equipment from Community Equipment Store (CES).

We would suggest liaising with your hospital team for advice on which equipment will be appropriate for your needs.

Available equipment includes toilet raisers, toilet frames, bath boards, shower stools, static commodes and more.

This equipment does not need to be prescribed by an OT and can be collected by members of the public.

I need a wheelchair, who do I contact?

Wheelchairs are provided by the NHS Wheelchair Service (Ross Care).
You can ask your GP, Social Worker, or another healthcare professional involved in your care to make a referral.

I have mobility issues and feel I need a walking aid, who can help me?

Requests for walking aids (e.g., sticks, frames) or mobility rehabilitation do not come under Community OT.

Contact your GP for a referral to the Single Point of Access (SPOA) for Physiotherapy assessment at St. Marys Hospital.

Alternatively, the Community Equipment Store (CES) have some walking aids they can loan out.

I am having frequent falls, who can help?

If someone is falling regularly, it is important to rule out any underlying medical causes.

Ask your GP for a referral to SPOA for a Multifactorial Falls Assessment (MFA).

Community OT usually cannot assess until an MFA has been completed and we are confident your mobility is stable.

I have speech, language, eating and drinking difficulties, who can help?

Ask your GP for a referral to Speech and Language Therapy.
This includes support for

  • communication needs
  • eating, drinking and swallowing issues

I need a pressure cushion and/or profiling bed, who do I contact? 

These items are provided through the District Nursing Team, not Community OT.

Link to Community Nursing - Isle of Wight for more information

When Community OT can help

I need support with my long-term needs

If everyday activities are becoming more difficult due to illness, disability, injury or ageing, Community OT may be able to help.

Who can refer?

We accept referrals from

  • your GP
  • allied health professionals
  • social workers
  • other healthcare or support professionals, such as carers

Self referrals

You can also call us directly during opening hours
01983 823643

Support with major adaptations

If your home requires significant changes to meet your long-term needs, we can assess and recommend adaptations.

This may involve

  • level access showers
  • ramps
  • stairlifts
  • extensions or structural changes
  • Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)

We will work alongside the Housing Adaptations service where applicable.

In this section