About Laila Motty

“Helping people recover and regain their abilities, learn new skills, and embrace and thrive in life, no matter what circumstances they’re dealt, is always hugely rewarding.“

Laila Motty, Occupational Therapist, registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

It is good to meet you.  I am a fully qualified and experienced Neurological Occupational Therapist.  I opened HT Neuro Rehab in 2014, after a wonderful 14 years working for the NHS where I practiced Occupational Therapy on numerous patients in busy London hospitals and also in community settings.  Mainly, I work as a private practitioner for adults with complex neurological deficits.

My service is aimed at people that have suffered brain injuries. Together we identify the changes, obstacles, and difficulties you are experiencing in carrying out the meaningful activities of daily living. After this process we identify your abilities and offer a tailored intervention to help regain your independence. Most importantly, we help you move forward towards your goal. 

I have a special interest in treating prolonged disorders of consciousness, upper limb rehabilitation, functional neurological disorders and neurological retraining to reduce stress and burnout and increase well-being. I want to help you understand your skill set and how you can use those skills to increase independence in your day to day life. 

My work also involves assessing clients in the community including nursing homes in order to provide functional reviews, housing and adaptations, wheelchairs and other equipment needs.  Additionally, I often train carers, cover discharge planning and co-ordinate with various external services to ensure a smooth hospital to home transition.

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Mixing Creativity with Science

Before becoming an OT, I studied arts and descriptive geometry, I then continued my studies at university where I studied architecture.  Different I know, but I always felt my calling was in healthcare.  I enjoy looking after people and make a difference to their lives so it was a natural transition to go back to studying and I completed a Bsc Hons in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University, London.  Interestingly, my love of the arts plays a huge role in my approach to OT.  I often use my arts background and combine it with science and healthcare to deliver a creative approach to therapy interventions.  It really works and I find my patients respond to the way I work with great enthusiasm.

Following my Bsc Hons, I completed a post-grad in posture management for people with complex neurological disabilities.  This contributed to my skills as a professional, enabling me to actively work in developing and implementing early interventions for my patients as well as promote the importance of posture and mobility within health practice. I currently train other clinicians in this subject.

I’ve Experienced Neuro Rehab from Both Sides

I’ve seen and experienced first-hand the challenges of rehabilitation after a devastating life event. I was my mum’s carer after her stroke until her passing. This gave me an insight into the difficulties patients and their families experience when not well supported and continues to inspire my commitment to give the best possible care.   

I understand the impact for the person affected, their family and the unexpected reversal of roles. I gained huge depth of understanding of strokes, the daily care tasks, the moving and handling and know how demanding the responsibility is for someone untrained.

Being a caregiver at such a young age and with no support from healthcare professionals was extremely difficult but eye opening. It enabled me to develop skills that people going through the same situation can relate to. It was a powerful experience that with every situation I come across connects me with the person’s needs and I understand what families need to cope, from a holistic perspective. 

Hampstead Heath. A Source of Inspiration

When naming my company, I was inspired by Hampstead Heath in London, which for me has special meaning. I associate Hampstead Heath as my place of peace, calm and tranquillity that has always helped me recover, recharge and find my inner balance and strength. A few years ago, I used to live near the Heath, and go walking there, meeting friends and training for charity runs.

I used to sit under a Centennial tree to read and relax. The Heath is an area that has been my place of strength, my constant through my happy and challenging moments. I want HT Neuro Rehab to pass that same sense of support, calm and positivity to my clients as this very special place has done for me.

My Experience

I have worked as an OT for over decade, both for the NHS and in private settings. I specialise in therapy for complex neurological conditions. My areas of expertise also include the application of 24-hour postural management for clients experiencing disorders of consciousness. 

Diverse Areas of Specialisation

I’ve worked as a clinician for a variety of clients including individuals with orthopaedic conditions, brain injuries, major trauma, accident and emergency cases, upper limb retraining and rehabilitation, Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (PDoC) and Functional Neurological Disorders (FND). 

Training Professionals

I am passionate about the clinical development of professionals and have collaborated with MDT colleagues working on the planning and delivery of training and upskilling other clinicians.

Always Compassionate Care

HT Neuro Rehab is built on a foundation of strength, dignity and positive values.  I believe in putting my patients first, often fighting hard for my patients, their families’ rights and my rights too.  People should always be treated fairly and with dignity.  

Certification QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES 

  • Certified in Equality and Diversity 
  • Complex posture management for neurological conditions. PostGrad at Oxford Brookes.  
  • “If you can’t breathe, you can’t function. Pulmonary rehabilitation for complex neurological patients”. 
  • Hybrid Wheelchair Service Provision at International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP)    
  • “Function from the Bottom Up: Addressing the Sensorimotor components of Daily Occupations” 

Neurological Rehabilitation and Specialisations

  • Facial Oral Tract Therapy (FOTT)
  • Bobath at Queen’s Square Hospital
  • Functional Neurological Disorders at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation at Braintree Training (braintreetraining.co.uk)
  • Assessments: Fugl Meyer, Nottingham Sensory Assessment, Rivermead Behavioural Memory (RBMT), Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota (CAM), The Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM)

PDOC- Specialisation

  • PDoC training at Regional Hyper-Acute Rehabilitation Unit                      
  • An Interdisciplinary Team Approach to the Management of Patients in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness at The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability                                         
  • Spasticity Management – A Multidisciplinary Approach at Queen’s Square            
  • Posture Management for People with Complex Disabilities – at The Oxford Centre for Management                                                                                                        
  • The JFK Coma Recovery Scale Revised: Clinical and Research Applications training by Jo Giancino at Holy Cross Hospital   
  • Recent advances in the assessment, diagnosis and MDT management of people with Disorders of Consciousness (DOC)           

Hand Therapy and Upper Limb Rehabilitation         

  • Evidence base theory for Upper Limb interventions at Royal London                                                           
  • Saebo Certification – Royal Leamington Spa Hospital                                         
  • Bioness for Upper Limb  H200 
  • Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
  • Hand Therapy B.A.H.T. Level 1 at NES training  
  • Technology for upper limb retaining such as Bioness H200, ARMEO, E-Link and FES (including Microstim)
  • K-Taping 

Splinting

  • Orthopaedic and Rheumatology  thermoplastic splinting 
  • Neoprene splinting 
  • Plaster and fiberglass hand cast splinting 
  • Neurological thermoplastic splinting 

Generic Skills

  • Mental Capacity and DoLs Assessment 
  • Falls Assessment and Prevention                                           
  • Diabetes Management                                                                                
  • Dementia Awareness                                  
  • Mobility Assessment for Blue Badges
  • Pain Management  
  • Makaton stages 1-4 
  • CIEHF DSE Assessor           

Preceptorship/Mentoring Training    

  • Practice Educators’ Courses
  • Clinical supervision for students, assistants and trained therapists                  

Teaching Experience

  • PDoC study day for Multidisciplinary teams (MDT) 
  • Burnout and Occupational Balance for clinical staff 
  • New Care Act and implications in healthcare provision 
  • Therapeutic Moving and Handling 
  • Upper limb retraining 
  • Wheelchair assessments
  • Posture management and 24/7 hour positioning 
  • Splinting 
  • Future of OT at South Bank University
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“Laila was amazing helping us to get mum home. It was special to be able to be close to mum on her final days”
TS patient’s daughter
“You’ve been a force for good on the committee and I’m so glad to have met you and experienced your positive energy”
NEC Member
“Thanks for being so welcoming and supportive during our shared journey. It?s been great sharing in your positive, can-do attitude, dynamism and learning from your hosting skills”
RL Committee Member
“When it came for me to start out in developing my new service, I had no idea of where to begin. Laila Motty was calm, supportive and understanding in making this happen. She actually gave me the confidence to recognize my potential and the value of my service”
Jacquie (Occupational Therapist)