Ruth Rowlands
BSc (Hons) OT
Specialisms
- Amputations (upper and lower limb).
- Orthopaedic injuries.
- Spinal injuries (e.g. fractures).
- Respiratory conditions.
- Cancer.
- Chronic pain.
- Neurological conditions.
- Terminal illness/palliative care.
- Hearing and visual impairment.
- Associated mild brain injury/cognitive impairment.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at October 2024, I am engaged in the role of Social Services Occupational Therapist for Powys County Council for an average of 120 hours per month.
Specific Injuries Experience
Ruth is experienced in managing a diverse clinical caseload of adults with complex, long-term health and social care needs. She specialises in supporting individuals with serious injuries, including upper and lower limb amputations, orthopaedic trauma, spinal fractures, respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and mesothelioma. Ruth regularly works with neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis), and terminal illnesses/those people requiring palliative care. Ruth is skilled at working with individuals with visual and hearing impairments (acquired or traumatic).
Many of her clients experience secondary health challenges such as mild brain injuries or cognitive impairments.
Ruth excels in identifying, recommending and implementing appropriate care plans, equipment, transportation solutions, and housing modifications to promote independence and aid rehabilitation for those with long-term conditions and illnesses.
Employment Profile
Ruth works as part of the Social Services team at Powys County Council. The service looks at promoting and identifying care and environmental needs (including adaptations) for adults over the age of 18. She uses activity analysis and assessment techniques to inform her recommendations for interim and long-term measures to meet the individual’s goals. Ruth utilises her creative problem-solving skills to collate and interpret complex information and compile comprehensive reports detailing her assessment and recommendations.
As part of her role, Ruth liaises with the wider multi-disciplinary team and statutory services which gives her a good understanding when it comes to making reasonable recommendations and the funding implications.
In early 2024, Ruth participated in a commissioning and procurement project, where she reviewed care agency applications and evaluated the council’s tendering process. She possesses strong clinical reasoning skills and regularly attends assessment panels to evaluate care packages and allocate funding.
Ruth’s career has seen her working with individuals who have experienced severe and life-changing injuries, within the NHS and social care sectors. Her expertise spans multiple aspects of patient care, including assessment, intervention planning, and ongoing reviews to ensure the best outcomes for her patients in acute, inpatient, and community settings. This hands-on experience has provided her with a deep understanding of the physical, psychological, and social needs of people who face long-term recovery and rehabilitation after significant injuries.
Her experience from involvement at different stages of care—from acute crisis to long-term management, demonstrates Ruth’s comprehensive grasp of the patient journey and their long-term care and equipment needs, from emergency care to rehabilitation and integration back into the community.
Qualifications and Membership
- BEd (Hons) Science and Visual Arts, University of Wales (1999)
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, University of Liverpool (2008)
- Supported Learning in Practice, University of York (2010)
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Sheffield Hallam University (2010)
- British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)
Career History
Present
Care Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co. Ltd
2023 to present
Social Services Occupational Therapist,
Powys County Council
2022 to 2023
Senior Specialist Respiratory Occupational Therapist
Powys Teaching Health Board
2021 to 2022
Locum Occupational Therapist
Powys County Council
2017 to 2021
Senior Occupational Therapist
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
2016 to 2017
Senior Occupational Therapist
University Hospital North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent.
Acute Rehabilitation Trauma Unit
2009 to 2016
Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, York
Rehabilitation wards, outpatient clinics and in the community
2008 to 2009
Occupational Therapist
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Kingston upon Hull,
Neurorehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery and neuro high-dependency wards