Working life: 'We've helped patients doing Leaving Cert exams in hospital'

Dr Naomi Algeo, clinical specialist occupational therapist and postdoctoral researcher, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 

Dr Naomi Algeo, St James’s Hospital: "I remember meeting a Leaving Certificate student following a leukaemia diagnosis. We focused on exam accommodations to support her handwriting, concentration, and cancer-related fatigue."

“I grew up in Athlone, but I now live in Laois and commute to Dublin for work. I originally did business and economics but missed my science subjects. I didn’t know which healthcare profession to choose, so I went down the occupational therapy (OT) route, as you are dual-trained in mental and physical health. It’s a holistic approach and really feeds into my work supporting adolescents and young adults (16- to 24-year-olds) with cancer.

“I’ve worked as an occupational therapist for 11 years and have been with St James’s Hospital since 2021. A few instances stand out where we’ve helped facilitate patients to complete Leaving Cert exams in hospital.