Occupational Therapy Services

Vision

The Occupational Therapy profession aspires to influence change in environments and systems to promote engagement of individuals and communities in meaningful and purposeful occupations.

Mission

The Occupational Therapy profession aims to serve people, populations and communities to enable health, well-being, participation, integration and quality of life. This is achieved through the provision of evidence-based interventions that are goal directed and client-centred.

Our Services

Description

Occupational Therapy is the treatment of physical, psychological and psychiatric conditions through specifically selected meaningful activities in order to help the client reach the maximum level of function and independence in all aspects of daily life within their environment.

Occupational Therapists assess and address independence in personal self-care, domestic tasks, work related activities, functional abilities at school, leisure and socialization; while addressing aspects that effect the person’s well-being.

Procedure

Persons receiving care and treatment in hospitals or those living in the community can be referred by a medical doctor. Cross referrals from other professionals are also accepted in some areas.

Eligibility

All Maltese citizens or foreigners holding a residency permit can be referred for assessment and can benefit from Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Services.

Required Documents

A referral form from a medical doctor and personal ID card number are required.

Who benefits from Occupational Therapy?

Persons of any age with physical/psychological conditions resulting from congenital conditions, traumatic injuries, orthopaedic conditions, post-surgical procedures, medical as well as neurological conditions will benefit from OT.

Persons suffering from mental health conditions and cognitive dysfunction and who wish to improve their quality of life and general well-being, functional independence at home and work, social skills, socialization and community living skills.

Children with physical/cognitive problems, developmental delay, physical disabilities, genetic disorders, co-ordination problems and learning disabilities.

Elderly persons living either in the community or within an institutional setting to maintain or restore functional performance, stimulate cognitive abilities and provide leisure/socialization opportunities.

Persons caring for individuals receiving direct OT intervention also benefit through education, collaboration, support and training.

Organizations that require advice on healthy work practices and safe work environments, schools that benefit from a whole school approach and populations that need to adjust their lifestyle to be able to participate within society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Where do Occupational Therapists work?

Answer: OTs work in a variety of settings including the acute general hospital, the rehabilitation hospital, cancer care and palliative care settings, schools, residential homes for the elderly, in the community and the patient’s home, at the work place and vocational training units e.g. The Sonia Tanti Independent Living Centre and the Lino Spiteri Foundation, in community rehabilitation centres with NGO’s e.g. Inspire, as well as with support groups.

Question: What is a home/work/school visit?

Answer: Occupational Therapists are often required to carry out a site visit to assess the environment and make recommendations on modifications, installation of equipment, practice functional tasks and to give advice to the persons involved in that setting in relation to the client. The OT also guides the service user on the application for services or funding to obtain the required equipment.

Question: What is the aim of group therapy?

Answer: In a number of settings OTs organise group therapy sessions for specific conditions or for client groups with similar needs. The aim is to educate, provide information through demonstration of skills and use of equipment, teach new coping strategies and encourage self-help skills, socialization, communication and support.

Question: How else can I benefit from OT?

Answer: OTs are specialized in carrying out ADL assessments and training, detailed seating assessments, driving skills, cognitive abilities, social skills training, activities related to educational tasks, school, home and work assessments as well as in the prescription of assistive devices and technology. OTs are also skilled in educating the well-population on prevention and health promotion.

Downloads

Informative Leaflet

Other Links

Malta Association of Occupational Therapists: https://maotmalta.com/

How to Contact Us

Child Development Assessment Unit: