Specialisms
- Spinal Cord Injury (including complete and incomplete).
- Secondary brain injury (Acquired or Traumatic).
- Bladder and bowel continence issues.
- Tone and pressure management.
- Complex tracheotomy weaning.
- Vestibular rehabilitation.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
- Acupuncture.
- Orthotics.
- Hydrotherapy.
Employment Profile
Claire is a highly specialist neuro-physiotherapist and neuro-trauma co-ordinator with over 15 years’ experience in treating and assessing clients in a range of settings at varying stages of their rehabilitation. She has worked for the NHS in a variety of positions, gaining experience in acute, critical care, rehabilitation and community environments.
Claire is skilled in the treatment of many neurological conditions but has particular expertise in the rehabilitation of clients with neuro-trauma and spinal cord injury having worked in a spinal injury unit and as the Principal Therapist in Major Trauma at St George’s University Hospital Foundation Trust. As a Neuro-Trauma Co-ordinator she gained experience planning adaptations and helping acquire appropriate equipment alongside making recommendations for care packages and liaising with various case managers, statutory care services and solicitors.
Claire uses a goal orientated approach to support clients through their rehabilitation journey. She is specially trained in a range of neurological treatment techniques, including the Bobath concept, and is also qualified in acupuncture. Claire completed an MSc in Rehabilitation in 2016 at the University of London, where modules included topics on self-management in long term conditions.
Currently she works in the private sector as a community physiotherapist. Claire assesses and treats adults with a wide variety of neurological conditions including SCI, TBI and stroke in their homes or in a clinic.
Claire also works as an Outreach Therapy Expert at the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Centre. This involves visiting other hospitals as well as telephone triage. She offers expert advice, clinical support and lecturing to clinicians and patients in hospitals/rehabilitation units to optimise their management of spinal cord injury patients as well as supporting them in organising complex care packages and deciding future rehabilitation needs. As a result, she is highly organised and able to work under pressure. Claire is a confident communicator, having presented at various conferences and lectured to students.
In addition, Claire provides cover for some managerial aspects of the role of Principal Therapist for Major Trauma. This role includes being the therapy lead for major trauma for a trauma network and ensuring all the guidelines are followed to ensure best practice.
She is passionate about, and has been involved in, research for traumatic brain injuries and stroke.
Qualifications and Membership
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 2:1, University of Liverpool (2001).
- MSc Rehabilitation, University of London (2016).
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP).
- Multi-disciplinary Association of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (MASCIP).
- Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN).
Career History
Present
Care Expert
Jacqueline Webb & Co Ltd
2017-Present
Band 7 Senior Therapist, Spinal Cord Injury Outreach Team
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital & London Spinal Cord Injury Unit Stanmore
2017-Present
Highly Specialist Neuro-Physiotherapist
The Rehab Practice Ltd, Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation
2017-Present
Band 8a Principal Therapist for Major Trauma, including neuro-trauma
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2015-2017
Band 7 Neuro-Trauma Therapy Case Co-ordinator & Band 7/8a Highly Specialist Physiotherapist
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2015
Band 8a Principal Therapist for Major Trauma
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2011-2014
Band 7 Neuro-Trauma Therapy Case Co-ordinator & Band 7 Specialist Physiotherapist
St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust
2009-2011
Band 7 Specialist Physiotherapist, Neurosciences
St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust
2008-2009
Band 6 Physiotherapist, Neurosciences Rotation
St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust
2007-2008
Band 6 Physiotherapist
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital & London Spinal Cord Injury Unit
2007
Band 6 Physiotherapist, Neurosciences Rotation
St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust
2004-2007
Band 6 Physiotherapist, General Rotation
St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust
2003
Senior II Locum
City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, Kingston Hospital, Central Middlesex
Hospital, Darent Valley Hospital
2001-2003
Rotational Junior Physiotherapist
University Hospital Lewisham
Publications
Claire has three posters and two research papers.
Posters:
- Early Multi-Disciplinary Team Rehabilitation on NICU at St George’s Hospital (2013)
- Vent-free breathing: establishing a joint protocol between St George’s and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (2013)
- The role of FES in acute spinal cord injury rehabilitation (2014)
Research:
- Member of the Advisory Group for Makela et al (2015) Early Integration of Bridges Self-Management Support into usual care following TBI: A feasibility study (2014-2015)
- Assisted in the recruitment for DREAM Study, University College London (2015)
- MSc Dissertation – a study to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and length of stay, complexity and injury severity in Early Physical Trauma Patients (in the process of writing for publication) – led as the Principal Investigator (2016)
- AFTER Study – assisted in recruiting traumatic brain injury patients into a behavioural study, University of London (2017)