Sally de la Fontaine, Physiotherapist

Sally de la Fontaine MCSP & Registered with the Health Professions Council

Sally graduated as a Physiotherapist in 1986 from The Middlesex Hospital, London and started to specialise in neurology in 1989 at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, London.

She has since worked in neurology at St Mary’s Hospital (London), The Wolfson Neurology Unit (London), Unsted Park Rehabilitation Unit (Nr Guildford) and Heatherwood Hospital (Ascot)

Sally uses a problem-solving approach to the management and treatment of neurological patients, which includes the Bobath approach.

She is involved with clinical teaching and is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN), the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice (OCPPP), a support group interested in Facial Oral Tract Therapy (FOTT) and the British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM)

Nicky Harvey, Physiotherapist

Nicky graduated from the University of Brighton in 2002 with a first degree honours. She completed her junior rotations working for Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospital.

In 2004 Nicky started to specialise in neurology, initially working for North Surrey PCT, gaining experience in acute, community and rehabilitation settings and contributing to the development of a neuro-physiotherapy referral pathway for acute Stroke services at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Nicky then developed her neurorehabilitation skills further when working at Unsted Park Neuro-Rehabilitation Hospital (nr Guildford), treating & managing inpatients with neurological conditions, such as Head Injury, Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke as part of the multidisciplinary team.

Nicky has since gained more specialist experience by working at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (London) within the intensive care units and neuro-surgical wards before accepting the position of team leader on the Stroke Unit at The Royal Surrey County Hospital (Guildford), which also included an outpatient service, where she helped to develop guidelines regarding postural management and hemiplegic shoulder care.

Nicky joined Milestones Clinic in 2008 and commenced a 3 week Bobath course in January 2009. Her philosophy is to work with her patients to identify and establish realistic goals to direct her treatment and management in order to optimise upon their abilities. She also provides training and advice to carers to assist with ongoing management of her patients.

Nicky is an active member of The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested In Neurology (ACPIN), of which she is treasurer.

Sarah Dixon, Physiotherapist

Sarah Dixon BSc (Hons) MCSP and member of the Health Professional Council.

Sarah graduated as a physiotherapist from The London Hospital in 1989 and specialized in neurology from 1991 at The National Hospital For Neurology and Neurosurgery where she gained experience in both acute and long -term neuro-rehabilitation. From there she went onto take a role as lead physiotherapist within a community neurological rehabilitation research project in Isleworth, analyzing the impact of specialist rehabilitation teams in the home environment.

She then took up her post as clinical lead in neurophysiotherapy in South Buckinghamshire in 1998. Here she was responsible for training and clinical development of the physiotherapy neurology service, setting up a service for Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and supporting the consultant in developing Botulinium Toxin clinics.

In 2005 she set up her own practice while also working on secondment to South Buckinghamshire Trust developing a training programme for multidisciplinary teams in Stroke Care.

She has particular interest in stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease and through these has developed extensive experience in managing long term disability with particular skills in neuromuscular electrical stimulation and spasticity management.

She is a member of the Association of Physiotherapists in Neurology and The Organisation of Physiotherapists in Private Practice.

Dr Phillip McCluskie, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine

I initially trained as an orthopedic surgeon, and in 1982 took up my first Consultant post at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in charge of the accident unit. I remained there for seven years, and then took a post working for the Overseas Development Administration as an orthopedic surgeon working in Swaziland. I remained in Swaziland for four and a half years developing a trauma service nationally and working both as an orthopedic surgeon as well as being involved in rehabilitation both of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.

On returning to UK I trained as a specialist in rehabilitation medicine. I was appointed consultant in charge of the Disability Service Centre in Portsmouth in 1995. To focus more on neurological rehabilitation I applied for and was appointed as consultant in rehabilitation medicine to Surrey PCTin1998. I was consultant lead in the brain injury unit, and had outpatient clinics dealing with disability, and spasticity. Both these clinics were multidisciplinary. We developed expertise in the modalities currently used in the treatment of spasticity including neurophysiotherapy, anti-spasticity medication, the use of botulinum toxin, and the referral for more complex procedures i.e. insertion of baclofen pump and the use of intrathecal phenol.

The philosophy of my work has always been to minimize the distress and discomfort that patients have after a neurological injury, and to work with the patients to maximize their functional recovery and independence.

Laura Slader, Occupational Therapist

Laura Slader DipCOT

Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in Neurology.

Laura graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1993 from the West London Institute of Education (Brunel University). Her first full-time position at St Mary’s Hospital, London, W2 began a varied career in many areas of occupational therapy including oncology, musculoskeletal, accident & emergency , neurology and intermediate care based predominantly in London hospitals and communities.

It was during her years abroad from 1996 working in Australia, South Africa and Saudi Arabia that she specialised in neurology – both physical dysfunction and brain injury. Returning to the UK, Laura continued to work in London community rehabilitation teams specialised in neurology and intermediate care and now balances her independent work with an NHS management role.

Laura has been fortunate enough to work with some expert therapists and received specialist training including Bobath; Carr & Shepherd and Rood during her years as a practising therapist. She has developed an eclectic style, ‘tailor making’ the best approach to meet the neurological client’s identified needs.

Laura maintains her continuous professional development through regular attendance of appropriate courses and conferences; providing presentations and training to a variety of professional groups and businesses; being a member of an allied health peer support group; providing regular and structured supervision to junior occupational therapists working in independent practise and receiving regular mentoring.

Laura holds full professional membership of British Association of Occupational Therapy; registered with the Health Professional council; member of the Occupational Therapist Specialist Section for Neurological Practise and Occupational Therapists in Private Practise. COTAS (College of Occupational Therapy Advisory Section) registered. BUPA recognised. AMPs calibrated. NVQ assessor qualification.

Genny Hawkins, Speech and Language Therapist

Genny Hawken. BSc (Hons), MSc. RCSLT. Member of Health Professions Council (HPC)

Genny qualified in 1990 and now specialises in treating & managing adults who have communication difficulties and/or swallowing problems as a result of acquired neurological problems such as stroke and Head Injury.

Having had experience of both inpatient and outpatient work Genny set up a domiciliary service in East Birmingham in 1996. Her clinical work has largely centered on domiciliary work and outpatient work, where this deemed to be more appropriate.

Having moved to London in 2004 to take up a post as clinical /professional lead for Speech and language therapy within the NHS, Genny now provides an outpatient service and professional supervision for colleagues who work in multidisciplinary teams, alongside her independent work.

Genny believes in clinical professional development and attends courses related to work on a regular basis including having completed the Advanced Dysphagia Course

Paul Charlton, Orthotist

Paul qualified as an Orthotist from Salford in 1983. A major part of his career has been adopting techniques developed in cerebral palsy to adult neurological conditions. This lead to an interest in neurology and spasticity management. Paul enjoys sharing developed ideas in various presentations to multi disciplinary audiences. He has published his work and been involved in research resulting in award of a Masters degree in 2005. Paul is also chairman of ISPO UK NMS.

Tricia Corbett, Occupational Therapist

Tricia Corbett MSc Dip COT and registered with the Health Professional Council.

Tricia qualified in 1987 from Derby University. She specialised in neurological rehabilitation and completed a masters degree in neurological rehabilitation in 1996 at Brunel University London. She has worked in variety of settings including neuro surgery, stroke rehabilitation and Social Services. For the last thirteen years she has worked as a Senior I therapist in a community neurological rehabilitation team in Croydon providing rehabilitation to adults in a variety of community settings, including the, clinic, home, work place, and leisure venues.

Since 2002 Tricia has worked in private practice and has experience of providing rehabilitation in medico legal cases, insurance work as well private individuals. Since 2004 she has worked with young adults with an acquired brain injury living in a community home providing training to the support worker team and working with the individual to further independent living skills in the community.

Tricia‘s work involves specialist assessment of the individual’s ability to carryout everyday occupations taking into their physical, perceptual and cognitive abilities within their environment. Rehabilitation interventions can then be identified with the client to promote engagement in current occupations and identify new activities maximising potential to participate in everyday life.

Tricia is a member of occupational therapists in private practice (OTIPP) and Occupational Therapy special interest group in work and productivity (OTWPP). She provides clinical training to occupational therapy students and is an associate lecturer to Brighton University with a special interest in vocational rehabilitation. She regularly attends conferences and specialist courses in neurology to maintain professional development.

Luke Newland, Masseuse

My Massage treatments consist of restoring mobility to affected areas using pressure and rocking techniques and then working on releasing deep muscle tension by working into the muscle groups and their related pressure points to restore an all round balance to the body.

I also use another technique known as orthopaedic massage mainly for restoring pelvic stabilisation , resolving shoulder problems and the loss of mobility in the neck.

My Massage treatments can be used in conjunction with neuro-physiotherapy or in isolation to help to restore movement and relieve pain.

People who may benefit include those who have ;

• Neurological conditions
• Frozen shoulder and Neck conditions
• Hip and back conditions (sciatica )

Treatments are tailored for the individual and concentrate on deep muscle and mobilisation techniques.