Occupational Therapists from Driving Mobility, the national charity which coordinates driving assessment centres with the Department for Transport, will be offering ‘express’ on-stand CPD seminars at the OT Show. (Stand L30 NEC, 23^rd and 24^th November 2022).

The CPD schedule is as follows:

 

1. ‘Maintaining independent mobility’

Dates and times:        23^rd Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45

                                    24^th Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45

Speakers:                   Jaqueline Guerin, Occupational Therapist

David Blythe, General Manager, William Merritt Centre

Synopsis:
These CPD sessions will outline how Driving Mobility assessments identify physical and cognitive client abilities, with a view to maintaining or regaining safe driving.  Each assessment establishes a person’s fitness-to-drive relative to specific medical conditions and is carried out by qualified OTs and Approved Driving Instructors.

 

Learning outcomes:

• Delegates will reflect on the role of occupational therapy within driving
• Greater appreciation of the link between driving and independence
• Consideration of the practical elements of a driving assessment ie. cognitive skills and physical function
• Develop greater understanding of vehicle adaptions and support to remain driving

 

 

2. ‘Safe Travels – car seat options for children with additional needs’

Dates and times:        23^rd Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45

Speaker:                     Clare Jones, Occupational Therapist

Synopsis: Led by an OT with specialist paediatric knowledge, this CPD topic will explore potential in-vehicle equipment for children with additional needs including challenging behaviour.

 

 

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding how specific equipment can provide safe travel for children with postural and mobility challenges
• Exploration of moving and handling options
• Knowledge regarding the Motability Scheme, wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) and vehicle adaptations for passengers
• Awareness of Driving Mobility Centres which offer car seat assessments

 

 

3. ‘The Power of Early Powered Mobility’

Dates and times:        24th Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45

Speaker:                     Kate El Bizanti, Occupational Therapist

Synopsis: This CPD session will increase knowledge regarding the benefits of early powered mobility in children with disabilities. The national Bugzi powered wheelchair loan scheme, provided by Driving Mobility, will be highlighted within the presentation.

 

Learning outcomes:

• Clinical evidence that demonstrates the importance of early powered mobility
• Understanding that powered mobility for young children is more than learning wheelchair skills
• Increased accessibility to early powered mobility though our ‘new school squads’

 

 

Also, on the stand

To complement the educational content, the Driving Mobility stand will encompass displays that highlight the range of services available at its centres. These will include:

• A driving simulator, to understand the clinical assessment process
• Adapted driving controls
• Details on the new Hubs Mobility Service
• Mobility scooter assessments
• Paediatric car seats
• Bugzi powerchair for children

 

https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/

 

#MyDrivingMobility

Philip North, Senior OT, will be providing unmissable education regarding client driving assessments at the OT Show, in conjunction with Driving Mobility and its regional William Merritt Disabled Living Centre. (Stand K51 NEC, 27-28 November).

The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre is proud to be part of the nationwide Driving Mobility network. Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility centres offer professional support and driving assessments to OT clients who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability.

Philip is a highly experienced OT from The William Merritt Centre in Leeds. He has over 30 year’s of clinical practice and is a nationally respected specialist in medical fitness to drive assessments. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in postural, driver and passenger assessments. Philip manages Driver Assessment Services across three regional sites in Leeds, Sheffield and York.

Medical Fitness to Drive – maintaining independent mobility

Dates and times:      27th November, 10:30-10:45, 11:30-11:45, 12:30-12:45, 14:30-14:45.                 
28th November, 10:30-10:45, 11:30-11:45, 12:30-12:45, 14:30-14:45.

Location:                      OT Show, NEC Birmingham Stand K51

Speaker:                       Philip North, OT

Synopsis:
The sessions will outline how Driving Mobility assessments check client physical and cognitive abilities with a view to driving a vehicle safely and in comfort. They will also offer advice on aids and adaptations that may assist driving. Each assessment establishes a person’s fitness to drive, related to a medical condition and is carried out by a team of qualified OTs and Approved Driving Instructors.

On stand K51 Driving Mobility will demonstrate and discuss the role of their Occupational Therapists when assessing cognitive and physical driving abilities. A driving simulator will be available on the stand so visitors will be able to experience the key aspects that are assessed.

Learning outcomes:

• Delegates will reflect on the role of occupational therapy within driving
• Greater appreciation of the link between driving and independence
• Consideration of the practical elements of a driving assessment:
  – Cognitive skills being assessed – eg. visual perception, decision making, attention, planning ability, slowed processing skills, memory and higher executive thinking
  – Physical function – ability to steer and use foot controls and change gear
• Develop greater understanding of vehicle adaptions and support to remain driving

https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/

https://twitter.com/DrivingMob/
https://www.facebook.com/drivingmobility/

#MyDrivingMobility