I am currently employed by the North Bristol NHS Trust as a Physiotherapy Specialist, fulfilling a role as an Orthopaedic Clinical Assistant and running the Low Back Triage Service. My time is shared between my NHS practice and Private Practice.
Orthopaedics
As an Orthopaedic Clinical Assistant at Frenchay Hospital for many years, I have worked alongside Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons in spinal, upper and lower limb clinics, gaining extensive experience afforded by an extremely busy general hospital. My extended professional training has enabled my full integration into the Orthopaedic Team. As a member of the team, I request investigations, arrange orthopaedic procedures and counsel patients on the role of orthopaedic surgery.
Triage
As a Consultant Physiotherapist, I was involved in the setting up of, and also run, the Low Back Triage Service at Frenchay Hospital. This service, open to all GP's within North Bristol, provides an interface between primary and secondary care services for patients with spinal disorders. My role is to provide a second opinion on a patient's diagnosis, advise on the need for, and arrange investigations; refer on to secondary care; arrange rehabilitation or reassure and discharge the patient. This service has attracted close scrutiny both locally and nationally and has recently been awarded a Grant from the National Performance Fund.
Physiotherapy Practice
I graduated from the Royal Liverpool Hospital as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1984. I have gained extensive experience in all aspects of physiotherapy, but my special interest has always been within the orthopaedic realm. I have gained particular expertise in manipulation, favouring osteopathic technique; chronic pain management, embracing cognitive behavioural principles; rehabilitation techniques, utilising paced exercise programmes and a holistic approach using the biopsychosocial model.
Sports Medicine
What better way to fire an interest in sports injuries than to cover the injuries presented by Bristol University's hockey, rugby and football teams as a newly qualified physiotherapist. My interest and expertise has developed through the years, having lectured on sports injuries and biomechanics at the Bristol School of Physiotherapy and running Post Graduate courses on lower limb biomechanics. I offer a second opinion service to Physiotherapists and Sports Therapists, many patients seen are national or international athletes.
Private Practice
I have worked in Private Practice for 13 years. I set up The Cherington Practice in 1999 providing a specialist orthopaedic physiotherapy service, including a service to Consultants, GP's, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Solicitors and Health Insurance Companies.
Occupational Medicine
My work within the private sector has also afforded me a greater opportunity to gain extensive experience in managing work related disorders through working with occupational health departments. Much of my work within the occupational health realm has been as a Consultant and Specialist Physiotherapy Advisor to the Occupational Health Department at the BBC.
Medico-Legal Practice
I have, for many years, provided reports for legal purposes on patients I have treated and as an invited expert. I have also, on occasions, been requested to attend Court as an expert witness.
Lecturing and Research
Through the years I have lectured widely on physiotherapy practice to both under and post-graduate students. I have lectured outside the physiotherapy profession to GP's, Consultants and hospital staff on topics ranging from the physiotherapy management of given disorders to the triage of low back pain. As a guest speaker, I have also spoken on a number of occasions to the Bristol Osteopaths' Group and taken part in national and international courses on back pain. Among the longest research projects I have participated in, is the comparison between extended scope physiotherapists, ie: physiotherapy orthopaedic specialists and junior orthopaedic surgeons.
My work within the physiotherapy and orthopaedic departments at Frenchay Hospital has been extensively audited including surveys of GP's, Consultants and patients' views on the care I offer.
