Mary Symons, Care/Occupational Therapist

Professional Experience

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2002 and specialised within the field of adult physical disability. Since qualifying, I have worked in a range of clinical settings in the NHS, adult social care and private hospitals.

I have considerable experience in assessment and treatment of individuals with complex neurological conditions and multi-trauma, upper limb injuries, spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury and stroke. I worked at two of the major trauma centres in London and one of the main referral hubs for neurology and for acute spinal injury in Ireland. I also worked at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability and was occupational therapy team lead for an acute stroke unit and community stroke services.

Since 2016, I have been a company director and lead Occupational Therapist for Think Believe Achieve Limited. I specialise in assessment and treatment of clients with complex traumatic injuries and/or disabilities. Depending on the severity of impairment and/or disability, treatment may include rehabilitation, prescriptions for aids and adaptation, moving and handling and risk assessment reports, wheelchair prescription, cognitive assessment, pain and fatigue management and upper limb rehabilitation. I also provide vocational assessment and rehabilitation. I have provided many occupational therapy assessment, progress and discharge reports as a treating clinician for medico-legal purposes.

I am also a trained hand therapist and have also had additional training in cognitive rehabilitation, mental health assessment, vocational rehabilitation, pain management, manual handing, seating and wheelchair prescription. My clinical skills range from assessment and treatment of individuals that are minimally conscious needing full care to those with an injury or health condition for which the person needs help to return to all their activities of daily living and the workplace.

Professional Development

I maintain my professional development and HCPC standards by attending relevant training.

I am a member of the special interest group for OT's working in neurology, in independent practice and medico-legal practice. I keep up-to-date with my current skills and knowledge through my clinical practice as an independent practitioner and relevant professional networks, attending conferences and interactive forums.