In Conversation with Abbie Davey: Championing Community Health at the OT Show 2025
Abbie, what first inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare, and how did that path lead you to your current role with Millbrook Healthcare?
My journey into healthcare actually began in midwifery, but it was shaped much earlier. My father is disabled, and I’ve been one of his carers since childhood. Growing up surrounded by medical equipment and seeing how vital it was to his independence and quality of life had a huge impact on me. It instilled in me a deep appreciation for the role of community health and support services – which eventually led me to my role here at Millbrook.
You’re now the Community Health and Engagement Officer (CHEO) at Millbrook Healthcare. What does your role involve, and why is it important?
As CHEO for West Sussex, I act as a bridge between prescribers, commissioners, and Millbrook. I gather feedback, listen to challenges, and work with our internal teams to co-design service improvements. My clinical background really helps here – it means I can speak the same language as our health professionals and ensure services are grounded in real-world need.
What excites you most about attending the OT Show this year on behalf of Millbrook Healthcare?
I’m genuinely excited to be part of it! As the face of Millbrook in our area, I see the OT Show as a chance to showcase how we support OTs on the ground. It’s also an incredible platform to share what we’ve been doing – especially around collaboration and innovation in community equipment services. There’s real energy in the OT world right now, and I’m looking forward to being part of those conversations.
Millbrook recently ran Trusted Assessor equipment familiarisation sessions. What impact did those have?
The sessions were so well received – we had occupational therapists, assistants, and assessment officers all feeding back that they felt more confident and capable in their prescribing. That’s exactly what we aim for at Millbrook: to empower prescribers and ensure services feel accessible and supportive.
What do you hope other occupational therapists will take away from visiting the Millbrook stand this year?
I hope they see that we’re not just a provider – we’re a partner. Whether it’s through training, listening, or adapting services, Millbrook is genuinely committed to making life easier for OTs so we can all help to facilitate better care for service users. Our ‘We Care’ ethos isn’t just something we say – it’s how we work, every day.
What role do you think creativity plays in modern occupational therapy, especially in a community setting?
Creativity is vital. Every client’s situation is different, and sometimes the most effective solutions aren’t off-the-shelf – they’re adapted, improvised, or discovered through teamwork. At Millbrook, we really encourage that kind of thinking and support OTs to explore new approaches with confidence.
Finally, what’s one message you’d share with OT Show attendees thinking about stopping by the Millbrook stand?
Come for a chat! Whether you’ve worked with us before or are just curious, I’d love to hear your perspective. It’s through these one-to-one conversations that we spark ideas and find new ways to collaborate – and that’s what the OT Show is all about.
