British Association of Hand Therapists

The Gloucestershire Hand Therapists Liaison Group was set up approximately 10 years ago. Our aims are:

1. To facilitate communication between multi-disciplinary members of hand therapy teams county-wide.
2. To share knowledge gained through practice, literature, courses and conferences attended by members of the group.
3. To highlight new evidence related to effectiveness of hand therapy practice as it becomes available and consider how this may impact on local practice.
4. To develop and evaluate common care pathways following hand trauma/surgery.
5. To provide an opportunity for clinical problem solving.
6. To provide peer support.

Organisation of meetings

The Annual Programme is arranged by Jo Taylor, Clinical Specialist Hand Physiotherapy, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, email: jo.taylor@glos.nhs.uk, tel 08454 223040

Topics during the last three years have included:

• Conservative management of carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s disease and metacarpal fractures
• Hand Therapy following nerve injury
• Neurological testing of the upper limb
• Problem solving following joint replacements in the hand
• What’s new in wound management?
• Managing hand fractures treated with ORIF
• Limiting complications following surgery
• The PIPJ
• Neurological Case Studies
• Planning discharge in hand therapy
• Hand Resources on the Web

Topics planned for 2011-12 (subject to alteration)