Milestones Team

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)

Brigitt Bailey MSc MCSP and member of the health professions council (PH19858)

Brigitt graduated in 1972 in Switzerland, where she completed her basic training. In 1974 she moved to England to specialise in neurology at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where she gained experience working with spinal injuries. At the Wolfson Rehabilitation Centre in Wimbledon Brigitt worked with people who had brain injuries, strokes, MS and other neurological conditions.

After a number of years working in Paediatrics, she returned to work for a Charity in a post-acute rehabilitation centre working with young adults who had acquired brain injuries.

Returning to the NHS, she started to work in a neuro-rehabilitation unit at Woking Community Hospital before taking up a post as clinical lead in North West Surrey and Superintendent Physiotherapist at Woking Community Hospital. As well as the neuro-rehabilitation unit, this service covered stroke rehabilitation, community rehabilitation, multidisciplinary disability clinic, spasticity management clinic and specialist orthotics clinic. Brigitt retired from the NHS in May 2011.

Over the last 15 years Brigitt has worked as an expert witness to provide physiotherapy opinion in medico-legal cases of adults with neurological disabilities.

She is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN), member of the Medico-legal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MLACP), Member of Association of Chartered Physiotherapists working with Older People (AGILE).

Fiona Ross MSc BSc MCSP and registered with the Health Professions Council.

Fiona graduated from the London Hospital in 1991. She completed her basic training at St Bartholamews Hospital and went on to specialise in the treatment of patients with acquired brain and spinal injury.

She has worked in both the acute and rehabilitation settings including a 10 year period at the Regional Rehabilitation Unit (RRU) at Northwick Park Hospital where Fiona was one of the lead physiotherapists and set up the Outreach Community Programme at the RRU. She has also taught physiotherapy students both at under-graduate and post-graduate level.

Fiona follows a problem-solving and goal directed approach to the management and treatment of all patients and has also gained a wide knowledge of the Bobath concept having completed both the basic and advanced courses.

Fiona is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN). She regularly attends courses to update her skills.

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.

Caroline Bullock BSc (Hons) MCSP and member of the health professions council

Caroline qualified in 1996 from the University of East London. She worked as a rotational therapist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, and then in 1998 she moved to King’s College Hospital to specialise in Neurology where she was promoted to a Senior I Physiotherapist. During this time she rotated through both the acute and rehabilitation settings and was able to treat a wide variety of patients with a diverse range of neurological conditions. She also gained experience in lecturing to different groups about neurodegenerative conditions and spasticity management.

Caroline then moved into private practice both in the community at Heads Up and at the Wellington Hospital in London. Here she gained invaluable experience in the treatment and management of stroke patients and head injury patients. Caroline has worked for her local primary care trust as a community neuro –physiotherapist specialising in Multiple Sclerosis for the past 4 years.

She has also become a mother of 2 little girls. During this time she completed her advanced Bobath course and has become a certified Pilates mat work instructor. She has enjoyed tailoring her Pilates work for her neurological clients with good results and positive feedback. She is a member of the Association of Physiotherapists interested in Neurology (ACPIN).

Marianne Dancy

Marianne Dancy graduated in Physiotherapy from Southampton University in 2004, since when she has completed rotations over a wide variety of areas at a Junior and Senior level in the NHS, specialising within the field of Neurology since 2008.

She finds neurology a highly challenging and rewarding area of Physiotherapy and has gained experience in Stroke, Head injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, acute spinal injuries, Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions.

Marianne is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN).

Nicola Glimmerveen BSc (Hons) MCSP and member of health professions council

Nicola graduated as a physiotherapist from King’s College London in 2007. Since graduating Nicola has gained experience in many areas of physiotherapy, including care of the elderly, paediatrics. amputee rehabilitation, respiratory medicine and sports injuries,

Nicola is passionate about physiotherapy and continues with her professional development by regularly attending courses and seminars, including the introductory Bobath course, treatment of back pain and postural management.

However, her main area of interest is neurology …“I currently have a varied caseload specialising in paediatrics and care of the elderly. I really enjoy the rehabilitation side of physiotherapy. It is fantastic to see the children and adults I work with achieve their goals and live more functional lives.

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.

Dr. Shai Betteridge, BSC (Hons), MSc, PsychD, CPsychol Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist

Dr. Betteridge graduated in psychology in 1994 and subsequently worked in various areas related to the research and application of neuropsychology and neurorehabilitation. She graduated as a Health Psychologist from City University, London in 1998, and obtained her Doctoral Qualification in Clinical Psychology from the University of Surrey in 2003. She obtained her postgraduate qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Institute of Psychiatry in 2006. She is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a Full Practitioner Member of the Division of Neuropsychology, and she is HPC registered.

During her career she has always had a special interest in neuropsychological rehabilitation and has published research in this field. She has worked at a number of world renowned institutions such as The Wolfson Neurorehabilitation Centre, St George’s Hospital, London; The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability; The Wellington Hospital, London, Broadmoor Hospital, and The Homerton University Hospital. She has also worked in various Community Neurorehabilitation Teams in Surrey, City and Hackney. Her broad range of experience has helped her to develop extensive knowledge and experience in neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation. Dr Betteridge also has a keen interest in national government agendas that impact on the field of neurorehabilitation and sits on various working parties committed to quality improvement and excellence (e.g. Department of Health and BPS led Mental Capacity Act Development Group). She is also proactively involved in providing training to other clinicians, and she provides core teaching modules in neuropsychology and health psychology for the Clinical Psychology Training Courses in the South Thames Region.

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.

For further information about Laura and the work she does please visit: www.neuro-occupational-therapist.co.uk

Sally Ghibaldan, Speech & Language therapist

Sally Ghibaldan is an experienced clinician working exclusively with adults with acquired neurological impairments. She has worked in a range of NHS settings; acute inpatient wards, rehabilitation wards, outpatient clinics, client’s homes and nursing homes.

Sally achieved a B.Med.Sci from Sheffield University in 2002 and post-graduate training in dysphagia in 2005. Her expertise includes assessment and treatment of dysphagia, dysphasia, cognitive-communication disorder, dyspraxia, dysarthria and neurogenic dysphonia (as defined previously).

As part of her private practice, Sally facilitates NHS departments who have long waiting lists and difficulties finding staff cover. This involves working in acute, rehabilitative and long term care settings. In addition to working in the NHS and private sectors, Sally also has experience working for the Ministry Of Defence, providing expert neurological rehabilitation to injured servicemen. Sally is registered with BUPA, AXA PPP and AVIVA.

For further information about Sally and the work she does please visit: www.linguisticresolutions.co.uk

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.

Stephen Hitchcock

Based in Englefield Green, and covering Surrey and London, E-Green fitness was started by Stephen Hitchcock. Having seen what positive effects being fit and healthy can have on peoples lives, his idea was to provide Personal Training open for everybody.

Stephen’s passion for sport began on the athletics track. He remembers his first ever one lap race around a track at a school sports day when he lived in Athens as a small boy and never looked back.

After leaving school he joined Blackheath Harriers and now runs for Surrey based Runnymede Runners competing in races throughout the year including marathons.

Stephen also coaches athletics at Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow athletics club.

Having enjoyed playing most sports Stephen has also attended the highly respected Bob Breen martial arts academy for six years.

Stephen loves cooking and having a villa in Southern Italy taught him the true meaning of using fresh and natural produce.

The health & fitness industry is constantly changing and developing and to stay up to date Stephen is always furthering his train- ing and knowledge to further assist clients.

For further information about Stephen and the work he does please visit: www.egreenfitness.com