I established Birrell Associates to enable me to provide a service that can be flexible to meet the needs of clients with varied and complex needs. I ensure my hunger to deliver positive outcomes for our clients is engrained in the service we provide.Specialising in rehabilitation, housing and equipment, I undertake private occupational therapy assessment and intervention for clients across the north west and beyond. I am experienced with working with contractors, surveyors and equipment representatives to ensure provision meets the client’s assessed needs. I have a broad range of experience undertaking private occupational therapy assessment and intervention. I use my range of clinical experiences to provide comprehensive assessment reports with recommendations that are clinically justified and backed by evidence. I deliver bespoke intervention programmes to support client’s rehabilitation needs. I am experienced with working with a range of conditions including but not limited to acquired brain injury, progressive neurological diseases, orthopaedic conditions, multi-trauma and spinal injuries. I regularly facilitate treatment sessions and cover I work with adults of all ages but have also worked with many adolescents transitioning to adulthood.I am experienced in working with case managers, deputies and solicitors in cases that are pre and post settlement and can work efficiently to budget needs.

Private neuro-occupational therapy rehabilitation with clients who have sustained acquired brain injuries. I undertake thorough assessments of need and support clients to engage in meaningful and purposeful activity including social, leisure and productivity. I am experienced in assessing cognitive and physical difficulties with activities of daily living and implement treatment plans to increase independence and quality of life. I regularly work as part of an MDT with case managers and health professional to ensure rehabilitation is seamless. I tailor rehabilitation to meet the client’s needs, putting their wishes first, ensuring intervention remains person centred.

Working at The OT Practice as an Associate Occupational Therapist, I assess adults with a wide range of complex conditions. I complete comprehensive assessments and produces detailed reports giving clear clinical reasoning, ensuring decision making and recommendations are backed by evidence. I specialise in Housing and Equipment and have a broad range of clinical experience that I draw upon to support my clinical decision making.

Occupational Therapy Management of various contracts within the company including adult social care and concessionary travel. Providing leadership and clinical guidance to occupational therapists within the company including supervision and queries. Involved in strategic developments of the company from a clinical perspective including service improvement. Approving occupational therapist assessment reports for quality, ensuring recommendations are clinically justified. I also continue to work for the company as a senior occupational therapist undertaking independent OT assessments.

Working as an Expert Mobility Assessor and Senior Occupational Therapist, Matt undertakes Mobility Assessments across the North West for Blue Badges & Concessionary Travel Passes. He is experienced in assessing client's mobility needs in clinic and community settings. He is able to provide succinct, detailed but concise reports based on objective assessment and supporting medical evidence and his decision making is always in accordance with best practice guidance and legislation.

Employed as a Senior Occupational Therapist, I regularly assessed adults who have complex, diverse and fluctuating health conditions, recommending minor and major adaptations that meet their current and long-term needs. I am experienced in assessing for basic and specialist equipment to help clients and their carers manage daily living tasks with an emphasis on maximising independence. I also completed moving and handling assessments and provides associated equipment/handling plans to support these needs. I led on re-designing the Occupational Therapy Assessment documentation for the department and co-wrote the best practice assessment standards for non-qualified and qualified practitioners.

Employed as an Associate Occupational Therapist & Case Manager, I provided Telephone Diagnostic Assessments, OT Functional Assessments and Immediate Needs Assessments to identify client’s rehabilitation needs following injury. My knowledge and work experience in rehabilitation gave me a comprehensive understanding around client’s potential of recovery and enabled me to identify suitable rehabilitation goals.

High Secure Services Occupational Therapy TeamAshworth Hospital is one of only three hospitals in the country that offer mental health services within a high secure environment. I provided Occupational Therapy input into two high dependency wards within the hospital. I gained experience working with adults presenting with a range of significant and complex mental health problems who are considered to be a grave danger to others and/or themselves. I gained experience using standardised OT assessments e.g. MOHOST, OCAIRS, etc. I was involved in service development including the restructure of the rehabilitation service within the hospital. I developed a range of skills including risk assessment, observation, communication, dealing with difficult people and managing hostile situations. I completed the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) course and participated in post graduate modules in Leadership and Management in Health Care at Lancaster University.

Mossley Hill Hospital Community Mental Health Team.My role within the team was to provide assessment and intervention for people in the community living with mental illness. I gained experience with various mental health conditions, however, due to working specifically in older adult psychiatry, the majority of input was with people living with dementia. I developed skills in recognising risks in the home environment and problem solving in order to keep people safe at home for as long as possible. I gained experience with providing assistive equipment and technologies that help people with dementia maintain their safety and independence in their home environment. I played an active role in running groups including day trips, reminiscence, healthy eating, and cognitive stimulation therapy. I gained experience in supervising OT students and completed the APPLE accredited practice placement educators course at The University of Liverpool.

I was employed on a Community Rehabilitation rotation where I gained experience in a range of settings including Intermediate Care, Emergency Response and Community Rehabilitation. I gained experience within intensive rehabilitation to maximise independence to support safe discharge home and prevent hospital admissions. I regularly worked with clients following their injury or deterioration in physical health, using collaborated goal setting to achieve identified meaningful rehabilitation goals. I gained experience in assessing patients in crisis; working as an MDT to avoid hospital admissions. I regularly assessed for equipment and minor adaptations to reduce risk of injury, compensate for reduced function and support rehabilitation needs.I was involved in service development and helped set up a band 5 peer support group and in-service training. I participated in clinical audits for intermediate care and assisted the band 7 physiotherapist set up an audit on falls.