Innovator

Olga works in our Orthopaedics Department and treats patients with hand and wrist complaints.

Innovation

Olga was one of the main drivers in setting up an outpatient OT-led Hand Therapy Clinic for patients at the Hospital. The Clinic which began operating in 2023 was established to help patients avoid lengthy wait times at busy fracture clinics.  This meant many people with particular injuries were able to access treatment sooner and didn’t need to spend time waiting to see a Consultant.

The Clinic which runs from the Russell Building at Tallaght Cross West has to date seen 350 patients. It was set up with the support of HSE Spark Funding. Olga worked in partnership with St James’s Hospital and her OT colleagues in Primary Care in the Community, to form this new service.

Olga says “We successfully established this Hand and Wrist Clinic which has paved the way for integrated scheduled care between the Hospital and Primary care. This means patients with hand and wrist complaints such as Carpal Tunnel, Osteoarthritis, Cubital Tunnel, Ganglion, De Quervains and Trigger Digits can be referred in by the GP to our clinic based in the Russell Building.  The initiative has seen over 350 patients and has succeeded in improving not just the experience for our patients but also their outcomes. The service has also enabled other OT’s to get specialist training in the field of hand therapy.”

What motivated you to get involved with this innovation project?

Olga says, “I knew this Clinic could help people and I wanted to set it up after witnessing the constant battle to try to reduce waiting lists. From experience, patients traditionally go to the GP who will then refer them to a Consultant in Orthopaedics, Plastics or Rheumatology or to all three departments. The patient could then wait for up to 18 months in some instances to be seen by the Consultant or a Physiotherapist. At this point, their symptoms may have become worse.”

Olga was aware before she set up this clinic that up to 60% of patients with hand and wrist complaints could be taken off the Consultant’s waiting list and treated by a specialist OT. She knew that many patients did not need treatment in the Hospital setting and that a community-based facility with experienced clinicians and access to hospital expertise, as needed could help them. 

Biggest learning

Olga’s advice for anyone is to, “Involve all your stakeholders. They can hold gems of knowledge that can help you succeed. Also, link with the Innovate Health Office in TUH, they have a wealth of experience to tap into. It was so encouraging to discover people want projects to work and that there is a lot of goodwill out there. It’s important to do your homework and discuss your idea with your team who can help you troubleshoot any potential speed bumps. Finally when you are ready to start, just take it one step at a time.”

What idea or challenge would you like to be your next innovation?

Olga says, “We have been extremely fortunate to be awarded HSE Spark Impact funding to enable us to continue to develop this project further between Tallaght University Hospital, St. James’s Hospital and Primary Care.  This investment will help us to develop the pathway further in the community for patients with wrist and hand complaints. I would love to see our clinic rolled out nationwide with the potential help and support of the National Clinical Care programmes.”