Unusual Roles: Northumbria Healthcare staff member pioneers new photo exhibition

A new exhibition created by Northumbria Healthcare staff member, Cath Darling, has opened at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.

Cath, who has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, has pioneered a role in aquatic therapy. Through this, she challenges traditional views of the occupational therapist’s role.

Featuring a series of captivating images by photographer Gary Waugh, Cath’s exhibition aims to shed light on the diverse roles of occupational therapists.

Occupational therapists empower people to resume every day activities after illness or injury. Through exercise and activities, patients improve coordination, balance, and mobility.

In aquatic therapy, water adds even more benefits to treatment. Patients are weightless in the water, promoting better use of their joints and muscles. The warm temperature improves blood flow to injured areas.

From oncology to neurology and spinal injury services, Cath has worked with a range of patients.

Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity helped to arrange for the images to be displayed within the trust.

Grace Sheldrake, Charity and arts development officer, chose to hang the artwork by the Health & Wellbeing Centre in the Cramlington hospital.

She said: “Cath’s work won’t be well known to many, so it is great to be able to showcase it to patients, staff and other visitors.”

“The images are so calming, and you can really see the benefits of aquatic therapy for the patient.”

Unusual Roles is now another prominent feature in Bright’s award-winning Healing Arts programme.