Joanne Evans

• HCPC Registered OT 27574
• Member of the British Association of Occupational Therapy

Joanne qualified in 1997 from the Derby School of Occupational Therapy. She worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and rotated in the clinical areas of elderly care, renals, neurosurgery, neurology, oncology and orthopaedics.

From 2003 she specialised in Neurology and Neurosurgery, with the role also covering Neuro Critical Care, outpatients and a monthly outpatient clinic for regional MND patients. Conditions treated varied from those frequently seen such as traumatic and non traumatic spinal injuries, MS, neuropathies, brain tumours, acquired brain injuries and Parkinson’s Disease to less common conditions such as CJD and Huntingtons Disease. The role involved liaison with rehab, voluntary and support network services across the West Midlands.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital: Birmingham: She rotated in the clinical areas of elderly care, renals, neurosurgery, neurology, oncology and orthopaedics.
From 2003 she specialised in Neurology and Neurosurgery, with the role also covering Neuro Critical Care, outpatients and a monthly outpatient clinic for regional MND patients. Conditions treated varied from those frequently seen such as traumatic and non traumatic spinal injuries, MS, neuropathies, brain tumours, acquired brain injuries and Parkinson’s Disease to less common conditions such as CJD and Huntingtons Disease. The role involved liaison with rehab, voluntary and support network services across the West Midlands.
Joanne was the senior lead OT across 3 neurosurgery wards, neurology ward, neuro critical care day case unit. This involved prioritising and delegating workload across the team to ensure timely discharges and recommendations for those requiring further rehabilitation. Interventions included standardised assessments, specialist seating and equipment, therapeutic handling and splinting of the upper limb.
She was involved in the running and evaluation of a Fatigue Management programme for people with MS as well as being involved in service development and regular training for staff and students in this area. In 2003 she completed a Diploma in Neurological Care.
Moseley Hall Hospital: In 2006 Joanne moved to a newly created split post between the Inpatient Neuro Rehab Unit (INRU) and Birmingham Neuro Rehab Team (BNRT). From 2010 Joanne moved to BNRT full time.
On INRU Joanne worked as part of a multidisciplinary team, assessing and treating neurological patients from across the West Midlands with complex cognitive, physical, social and behavioural needs. Joint working with specialist services such as Posture and Mobility and environmental controls was often required.