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Access in & out of the home

Find out how we can help

Peace of mind to move in and out of your home safely & independently

Whether it be getting to the car, the garden, the shops or social activities, being able to access the world outside our home is important for both mental and physical wellbeing. When mobility is reduced, even otherwise simple journeys can become a challenge.

We assist many people facing all variety of difficulties to maintain their independence and access to their community. Our experience also helps ensure that the solutions we provide, as well as being practical and cost-effective, are the best possible aesthetic fit for a client's own home.

How OT's help

Help with access into and out of the home is one of the most common reasons our clients contact us. Whether for a temporary or more long-term solution, the following are examples of challenges we can address:

  • Steps and stairs leading to a property, whether via a communal or private entrance
  • Access to a town-based property from street level
  • External ramps which may be too steep or in a state of disrepair
  • Access to a garden or driveway
  • Risk of falling
  • Reduced confidence moving into and out of the home after illness, injury or a period in hospital

Our assessment process allows a specialised occupational therapist to identify all such problems, make recommendations to reduce them, and (if desired) arrange for any recommended changes to be made.

Our approach

Our aim is to provide flexible, practical and cost-effective solutions for accessing your home and community. Our assessment may involve looking at:

  • Your current and likely future levels of mobility, hand and shoulder function
  • The home environment, including your garden, driveway or street access
  • The layout and style of your property, including shared access areas
  • Any equipment that you currently or are likely to need in the future, such as frames, scooters or wheelchairs
  • Your own, your family's or carer's specific wishes and goals

Common recommendations

Some practical solutions that we may recommend to help you access your home include:

  • Grab rails at the front door
  • Hand rails on existing steps or stairs
  • Installation of smaller half-steps
  • Installation of ramps with gentle gradients that allow for walking, scooters or wheelchairs
  • Installation of stair or platform lifts

We can help with

If required we can also provide assistance with:

  • Sourcing suppliers - we work with companies nationally to ensure we always offer competitively-priced solutions
  • Arranging and managing lift representatives or builders who may need to visit your home
  • Reviewing plans with architects and builders to ensure that any changes to your home are right for you, both now and in the future

Public sector, charities and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

Find out more

Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with home access difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you in your own home and at a time convenient to you and your family, and are happy to offer evening and weekend appointments
  • We do not have waiting lists and so can offer appointments within 7 working days of referral or sooner
  • Our extensive nationwide network of registered occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • We can provide ongoing support for as long as you need it
  • Our clear, fixed pricing system will be provided to you in writing for you to consider in your own time
  • Your occupational therapist will be a specialist in their field, with over 5 years' clinical experience including time in social services or NHS practice
  • Our team are well connected to networks of local and national equipment providers, stair lift and building companies

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Local authorities

Our team provide individual or bulk assessments for local authorities looking to reduce waiting lists or ease pressure.

Find out more

Case managers

Comprehensive, goal orientated OT services for your clients in their own homes and community.

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Housing associations

Providing reports and recommendations for individual residents or working on large regeneration projects.

Find out more

Charities

Working with charities to provide reports and recommendations for grant funding applications.

Find out more

Construction companies

Individual or bulk housing assessments and recommendations for kitchen, bathroom or access projects.

Find out more

Care homes

We provide individual equipment recommendations or advice on environmental accessibility

Find out more

Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our client management team, who will be able to understand what your difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we would propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange a visit at your home. Normally this first visit will comprise a full assessment, after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations. These may include useful items you can buy or activities you can do independently, but they may also include more complex recommendations such as home adaptations or additional treatment by the occupational therapist. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

A few of our housing specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are specialists in assessing access needs and planning adaptations.

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Pilar

East Sussex, West and South West of England

OT Pilar provides Functional Rehabilitation, Manual Handling, and Pain and Fatigue Management across East Sussex (Brighton) and South London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, London, East Sussex, West Sussex, London - South, Brighton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills

Anna

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Anna, a dedicated Occupational Therapist based in the Midlands, serves Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Stoke-on-Trent and has multiple specialisms.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, TBI

Liz

Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Covering a large client base across Scotland, Liz is an OT delivering specialist Neurological Rehabilitation for adults and children.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Borders, Clackmannan, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee (City of), East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian, Western Isles

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, Mental Health, TBI

Joanna

Wrexham, Wales

Jo is an experienced Occupational Therapist supporting people with complex physical and neurological conditions through specialist seating and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Powys, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Jessica

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Jessica provides expert Occupational Therapy services, specialising in adaptations, equipment, rehabilitation, mental health, and enhancing independence across diverse needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Mental Health

Jessica

Dorset, South of England

Jessica Smith is an accomplished Occupational Therapist from London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Counselling, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Self care, Splinting, TBI

Sophie

London - Central, Oxfordshire

Sophie is a highly experienced OT specialising in neuro rehab covering both Oxfordshire and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, West Midlands, Wiltshire, London - Central, London - North, London - West, Birmingham

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Kirsty

Renfrewshire, Scotland

Kirsty is an expert Paediatric OT who supports children with a range of conditions across West Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Counselling

Kate

Brighton, West Sussex

Kate is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in rehabilitation, housing adaptations, and equipment provision across Southern England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, East Sussex, Hampshire, West Sussex, Brighton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Postural management

Lisa

London

In London and Surrey, Lisa, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Harriet

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Harriet is an expert functional rehabilitation Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist assessments to clients in South East England and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, London - North

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills

Roberta

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Roberta is an experienced OT based in Northampton, offering specialist Housing & Equipment, Seating, and Moving & Handling recommendations.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Warwickshire, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural management

Nadia

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Nadia supports people after life-changing neurological injury, delivering occupational therapy that rebuilds confidence, independence and everyday participation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Social integration, TBI

Lisa

London - South, Kent

Lisa is an expert Housing and Equipment Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist assessments to clients in London and Kent.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - Central, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills

Fran

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Working in the North East of England, Fran is a dedicated Occupational Therapist specialising in housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, North Yorkshire, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Louella

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Specialising in Housing & Equipment for adult and paediatric clients, Louella is a highly skilled OT based in Buckinghamshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Postural management, Sign Language

Gemma

Hampshire, South of England

Gemma is an Occupational Therapist specializing in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, functional and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Andrea

London - South, Kent

Andrea is a specialist Neuro Occupational Therapist providing rehabilitation for acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury and neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Postural management, Splinting, TBI

Jane

Somerset, West and South West of England

Jane is a specialist Occupational Therapist based in Dorset, providing housing assessments and rehabilitation for adults with complex conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, East Midlands, West and South West of England, South of England, Scotland, Wales

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, PIPs, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Learning disability

Eleanor

London - South, Surrey

Eleanor, an Occupational Therapist, operates in London, Surrey, and Kent, specialising in fatigue management and pain management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Self care

Lois

Perthshire and Kinross, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Lois specialises in Functional and Neurological Rehabilitation, providing expert assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Angus, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Perthshire and Kinross, Stirling

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills

Rebecca

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Located in Cambridge, Rebecca is an experienced OT supporting clients with home adaptations, specialist equipment provisions, and rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Self care

Hannah

Norfolk, East Anglia

Occupational Therapist Hannah specializes in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural management

Natalie

Cheshire, North West England

Natalie has over 30 years’ Occupational Therapy experience, specialising in housing adaptations, equipment, functional rehabilitation and moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Shropshire, Liverpool, Manchester

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Gaynor

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Gaynor is a highly skilled OT providing expert neurological, vocational, and functional rehabilitation to clients in the East Midlands

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, South Yorkshire, Warwickshire, London - North, Nottingham, Leicester

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

PIPs, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Rosie

Nottingham, Derbyshire

Rosie provides child-centred Occupational Therapy supporting sensory processing, emotional regulation and developmental skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting, Sign Language, Learning disability, TBI

Anna

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Based in Northern Ireland, Anna specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation, Housing & Equipment, and Seating & Postural Management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Down, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

TBI

Chia-Chien

London - South, Surrey

Chia is an occupational therapist fluent in Mandarin who specialises in paediatrics and neurology.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - North, London - South, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, TBI

Felice

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Based in Milton Keynes, Felice supports clients with rehabilitation and home adaptations following an injury or diagnosis.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, London - Central, London - North, London - East, London - West, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Tracey

Derby, Derbyshire

Helping people maintain independence and mobility, Tracey specialises in driving adaptations, wheelchair provision, specialist seating and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Client feedback

Further reading

Our news & press

How Can Occupational Therapy Help Reduce the NHS’s Bed Capacity Problem?

With the public sector currently in crisis, considering a deeper relationship between the private sector and the NHS is essential. Utilising the independent sector fully will significantly reduce the bed capacity challenges facing the NHS today.

Read more

Interested in Private Practice

Supporting Housing and Equipment OTs in Clinical Practice

Alongside The OT Practice is a network of 300 OT associates working in the community, and this number is continuing to grow. Find out how Di, our expert Housing and Equipment Clinical Lead, offers support to our therapists and the advice she has to offer to those considering private practice.

Read more