CONNECT HEALTH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior MSK Physiotherapist
Abba Balarabe, Senior MSK Physiotherapist, tells us about the opportunities that are available to him and how the values of Connect Health are integrated into the company culture.
Job Titles:
- MSK Clinician and Team Leader
Adam is a graduate Sports Therapist, qualifying in 2014 from the University of Gloucestershire with a First Class honours Degree. Following graduation, he was awarded the Student Travelling Scholarship from the Society of Sports Therapists, spending 6 weeks at an elite Canadian Sports University.
When returning to the UK, he started working in semi professional and professional rugby with Hartpury RFC whilst also leading the rehabilitation of long term injuries like ACL reconstruction, shoulder dislocations and lower back injuries, of high level youth athletes at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire.
During that time, Adam developed group rehabilitation projects, facilitated the development of a new medical facility and has presented at conferences and across Universities in the UK about rehabilitation, exercise prescription and Sports Therapy profession. Adam has since gone on to complete the Go-To Physio Mentorship program, learning a new level of biomechanics and rehabilitation strategy and is currently working towards Advanced Practice status.
In 2022, Adam changed career and joined Connect Health as a Senior MSK Clinician, before quickly stepping up into a Team Leader role.
You'll see Adam at his best, assessing with exercise, looking at the quality of your movement and working with your long term injuries and pain; always with a smile on his face!
Adam lives in Gloucestershire with his wife, Lucy, and enjoys eating out at restaurants, playing football and watching Formula 1 on the weekend.
Job Titles:
- Transition Manager, Tells Us How His Time at Connect Health Has Allowed Him to Try New Things and Work With Many Inspiring Personalities across the Organisation
Aidan McGuire, Service Transition Manager, tells us how his time at Connect Health has allowed him to try new things and work with many inspiring personalities across the organisation.
Job Titles:
- Team Leader in Patient Care Coordination
Ami Render, Team Leader in Patient Care Coordination (PCC) tell us about how she has moved career from retail and call centres to healthcare, and how she has changed her outlook on life. She explains how Connect Health is supportive, exciting, challenging and the rewards are always good.
Job Titles:
- Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader
Amy qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from the University of Southampton in 2006. She completed her ‘core' physiotherapy rotations as a band 5 physiotherapist before specialising in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions as a band 6. She has worked within the NHS at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Imperial College NHS foundation trust in London, and with Oxford Health NHS foundation trust.
She has completed training in Pilates, advanced practice and is able to offer corticosteroid injections for peripheral joints as part of a treatment programme.
Alongside this she worked as a physiotherapist and pitch-side first aider at rugby clubs from grass roots level to National level. This taught Amy a lot about sports and how to manage sports injuries.
She also undertook training to become a Veterinary Physiotherapist and now focusses on treating horses when she is not working for Connect Health.
Amy's personal interests include running, yoga, sailing and horse riding. She loves to be outside (even during the winter months!) and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Learning and Development Business Partner
Amy Haggerston, Learning and Development Business Partner, describes how she feels like part of the bigger picture by supporting Connect Health colleagues to develop their skills and create better outcomes for patients.
Andrew is the Operations Manager and Lead Advanced Practice Practitioner for Rheumatology and Pain Management at the Wolverhampton Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (WIMS). Since qualifying from Coventry University in 2002, Andrew has worked in many areas of physiotherapy before specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and further specialising in pain management in 2008. He went on to become a Clinical Specialist at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
Andrew joined Connect Health in 2017 when the MSK contract in Wolverhampton went live, he works both clinically and in Operational Management for Connect. Andrew has a special interest in medicines and opioid management, as an independent prescriber. Andrew has been involved with NHS England on a project looking at the medication usage nationally and changing prescribing behaviours.
Outside of work Andrew is an active scout leader, Duke of Edinburgh leader/assessor, swimming coach and British Swimming Official.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Group Executive Director
Born and raised in Newcastle, Andrew founded Connect in 1989 with the aim of providing the highest level of care to people with musculoskeletal problems. He qualified as a Physiotherapist from Northumbria University in 1985 and worked at Edinburgh's main teaching hospital, The Royal Infirmary, for three years. He then returned to Newcastle to take up a post in Sports Medicine.
Andrew combines his clinical expertise and commercial experience to develop innovative new ways to meet patient needs and commissioners' budgets. He has driven improvements in MSK through the utilisation of service and outcome data. With others he founded the Musculoskeletal Partners Network (MSK PN), a Trade Association, which is dedicated to evaluating and sharing practice in the pursuit of excellence. He was recently made a Fellow of the CSP for his contribution to innovation in MSK services.
In 1993 a fund-holding GP in South Shields, approached Andrew Walton, Connect Health's founder, to seek an innovative solution to what remains a common, systemic problem; poor use of rehabilitation and long waits for physiotherapy. Resulting services are often highly medicalised and interventional using excessive diagnostics, treatments without clear evidence and with high cost and little outcome data. High public expectation for diagnostics and passive interventions rather than active rehabilitation results in poorly sustained benefits and patients re-presenting to their GP with chronic diseases and pain.
Andrew Walton founded Connect Health, now a leading community services healthcare provider encompassing mental health, talking therapies psychological interventions, rehabilitation, MSK (musculoskeletal) conditions, chronic pain, orthopaedics, rheumatology services and, by far, the largest independent MSK provider in the UK.
Since 1989 we have been delivering outstanding transformational community healthcare.
Tony qualified from the University of Hertfordshire in 2011. He worked in Community rehabilitation until 2013 and completed rotations as part of Sutton and Merton community services. He began work in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting in 2015 and became a Senior Physiotherapist that year, before being TUPE'd to Connect Health in 2016. Tony had an interest in operational leadership and became a Team Lead for Merton in August 2018. In October 2019 he was seconded into a Service Manager post in the Croydon MSK Service. Since then he has managed the East Kent Rheumatology Service, South West Essex Service, Lincolnshire Pain Service and the Herts Valley MSK Service. He is now embarking on a new venture as Operational Manager with the Oxfordshire MSK Service.
Becky joined Connect Health as Chief People Officer in December 2022.
With a multi-sector background, Becky, over the last 20 years has worked in Retail, Utilities, Higher Education and Care and Support always in Human Resources. She led the full People Team at Hays Travel and before that at Northern Powergrid before joining Connect, establishing clear People Strategies and Plans.
Becky completed her BA Hons degree and MSc masters in Human Resources Management and became a chartered Fellow of CIPD in January 2020.
Becky is passionate about working with business leaders to create the best possible experience for colleagues. At home, time is spent with her two girls making memories!
Job Titles:
- Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Lead
I studied a BSc in Physiotherapy at Kings College London, graduating in 2015 and continued to work in London in both the private and public sector. In the NHS, I worked as a senior MSK (Musculoskeletal) physiotherapist at University College London Hospital and then as a specialist MSK physiotherapist in private practice. I then progressed into working as a First Contact Physiotherapist in East London then Buckinghamshire when I moved out of London.
During this time I completed Master modules around First Contact Physio practice and in MSK Injection Therapy. I joined Connect Health in March 2023. I have an interest in Persistent Pain, Tendon pathologies and in high quality rehabilitation, especially for Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries. I additionally enjoy teaching and the research field
Job Titles:
- Senior MSK Physiotherapist
Job Titles:
- Head of Patient Care Co - Ordination
Caroline joined Connect Health in September 2019 as Head of Patient Experience after spending over 20 years working in Financial Services, working in large complex contact centre operations. In that time she has held many roles; starting her career in Insurance before moving into Banking.
Caroline's passion has always been to deliver the best experience to customers, patients & colleagues, ensuring colleagues are set up for success so they can give the best service to patients and that processes are designed to do that. Colleague experience is also high on Caroline's agenda, ensuring internal talent is nurtured to help colleagues be the best they can be to achieve their career aspirations, whilst also creating opportunities for colleagues to make a positive contribution in the local community.
Job Titles:
- Regional Contract Manager
Champa took up the position of Service Manager in April 2019. In this role she works to ensure the service is run as efficiently as possible, making sure the patient gets the right care in the right place by a strong team of fully qualified physiotherapists. She is there to ensure the team have the correct resources they need to provide a first class service.
Champa worked as a Service Manager for Harrow Health CIC prior to coming to Brent. As well as physiotherapy, she managed 10 other community services and before that worked at a private physiotherapy clinic. Champa's background is in banking, having worked for a major high street bank for over 25 years. She took the decision to change her career and began working for the health service. In her spare time Champa likes to spend time with her granddaughter who is 4 years old.
Charlie Reed, Quality Support Advisor at Connect Health, explains how he started as a temp, has been promoted in just a year, and has had opportunities to travel and see the patient experience first hand.
Chris McCarthy, Team Lead Physiotherapist at Connect Health Herts Valleys Integrated MSK service, tells us about why and how he moved from Australia to the UK, motivated by the attraction of European travel.
Chris has been the Clinical Lead for the Durham and Darlington community pain management contract since January 2020. He is responsible for the clinical standards and line managing the various members the multi-disciplinary team of this service.
Chris qualified as a physiotherapist in 2003 from the University of Manchester and has worked clinically in MSK outpatients for NHS trusts in Gateshead and Northumberland. He has a long held interest in the area of management of long term conditions and persistent pain. He joined the Durham and Darlington pain management service as a clinical specialist pain practitioner in Sept 2019.
Chris the current chair of the North East MSK Society and a committee member for the North British Pain Association. Both organisations have a focus on improving access to high-quality and affordable continuing professional development opportunities to clinicians within the region. He is passionate about delivering patient-centred care and recognises the benefits that values focused, evidence-based, compassionate intervention can have on quality of life.
Job Titles:
- Team Lead Physiotherapist
After working in varied MSK settings and a stint in Australia for 18 months, he joined Connect Health, taking on a Team Lead role in 2019. Dalvir has a particular interest in assessing and screening movement in relation to pathology. This, together with valuing a thorough understanding of the patients condition and specific needs, he endeavours to produce a highly considered patient specific rehabilitation programme.
Dalvir believes in challenging himself physically, regularly carrying out calisthenics training, climbing and boxing. He also enjoys accessing information around philosophical and anthropological theories that relate to physical and mental well being.
Daniel is the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist from Brent. Daniel qualified in 2007 and has worked with Connect Health since 2017. He has worked as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in several Connect Health services and has a special interest in Diagnostic Ultrasound. Daniel continues to contribute to the development and education of physiotherapists and enjoys lecturing and teaching. In his spare time, he enjoys playing football and cycling when he is not running after his two young children, and socialising with friends when he has time.
Job Titles:
- Director of Clinical Strategy
Andrew joined Connect Health in April 2017 as Clinical Lead for our Yorkshire integrated MSK services. An experienced Consultant MSK Physiotherapist, he subsequently progressed to Head of MSK, responsible for our FCP, Tier 1 and Tier 2 MSK Services. In May 2023, Andrew was promoted to Director of Clinical Strategy, joining the Senior Leadership Team.
Andrew has a reputation as an expert clinician and thought leader on an international scale. As an active researcher with many clinical papers in peer-reviewed journals, he is a regular speaker at worldwide conferences. His PhD focused on the indications and rationale for diagnostic imaging within primary and community care. Andrew has held Executive positions in several organisations including EUSSER (Chair of Comms); the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (Chair of Education), and most recently the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (Diplomate Chair) - the first AHP to join the FSEM Executive Council.
When not at work, Andrew continues to develop his leadership capabilities, holding a King's Commission in The Royal Yorkshire Regiment and attempts to practice what he preaches around physical activity, as a very average runner and cricketer.
Job Titles:
- Chief Medical Officer
- Council Member for the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine
Dr Wilkes joined Connect in 2007 from General Practice and Sports Medicine, initially working as a GP with Special Interest and Clinical Lead. He gained entry to the Specialist Register for Sport & Exercise Medicine in 2011 and is now Connect's Chief Medical Officer, having previously held the position of Medical Director, working clinically as a Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine (SEM).
Dr Wilkes has championed use of evidence-based medicine with Connect to achieve best clinical outcomes for patients. This has included developing Connect's innovative "10/10 guidelines" and contributing to services leading the field in clinical outcome data production. Dr Wilkes has also developed an in-depth and expert understanding of how community NHS service can function well and meet the needs of patients, the taxpayer and staff.
Dr Wilkes serves as a Council Member for the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine. He recently left the English Institute of Sport after 19 years serving as Senior Sport Physician and attending three Olympic Game in London, Rio and Tokyo with Team GB and British Diving for whom he served as CMO. He remains Club Doctor to Newcastle Eagles Basketball team and Pitchside doctor for Durham Women Football Club.
Job Titles:
- Responsible Officer and Musculoskeletal Physician
Ian Bernstein trained first as a GP in 1992, became a GP Trainer in 2002 and Director of Medical Education at CLCH Trust in 2020. Ian trained at the London College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993 and completed his MSc in Osteopathy and Musculoskeletal medicine at University College London in 1999. Ian was the Clinical Director for Musculoskeletal Health Improvement at NHS England, London Region until June 2023 and is currently a clinical advisor to NW London ICB. Ian's clinical role is as a musculoskeletal physician employed by Connect Health Ltd in the NW London Community Musculoskeletal Service, working in the community pain service. Ian became the Responsible Officer for Connect Health Ltd in July 2022. Ian was a member of the NICE Low Back Pain and Sciatica, and Chronic Pain Guideline Committees, and is the chair of the NICE Neurorehabilitation Guideline Committee and member of the NICE Technology Appraisal Committee.
Dr Krisztina Szabo-Kocsis, Consultant Rheumatologist, South West Essex Community Rheumatology Service, Connect Health, tells us how, having worked in her native Hungary, she is now thriving on the challenge
Job Titles:
- National Sport and Exercise Medicine Lead Doctor
- National Sports and Exercise Medicine Doctor, Describes His Experience of Connect Health 's Multi - Disciplinary Approach
Dr Marwan Al-Dawoud joined Connect Health in 2016 as a Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician working as a clinician in the Yorkshire region. He is now the National SEM Doctor and is responsible for the Sports and Exercise Medicine side of the business.
He qualified from the University of Manchester Medical School and has subsequently trained in General Practice as well as taking higher-level studies in Sport and Exercise Medicine. He has worked in elite sport since 2007 in the Rugby League Super League, Premiership Rugby Union, Premiership Football, UK Athletics and Ballet.
Marwan brings extensive clinical experience from a diverse range of environments coupled with medical leadership and innovation.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Lead Consultant Physiotherapist
Elly qualified as a Physiotherapist 18 years ago with a BSc Hons at Brighton University and initially specialised in Paediatrics and Respiratory, before finding her home in Musculoskeletal therapy. She has since completed her Masters at Kings College London in Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy and has been an Advanced Practitioner in Physiotherapy for the last 7 years. She also completed a masters module in injection therapy which she now practices.
Elly was delighted to join Connect Health in February 2020 and work within the CATS service and as Clinical Lead for the Merton service.
Francis joined Connect Health Pain Services in 2012 and is currently the Regional Clinical Lead for the North East region. Since joining, she initally worked as a clinical specialist and generally took on more managerial responsibilities as a Clinical Lead and then Regional Clinical Lead for the Central region and similar to her current role, supports the Clinical Leads and Regional Contracts Manager in maintaining good clinical standards across the region, good relationships with commissioners and GPs and ensuring that the teams are informed and well-supported.
Francis is a qualified Physiotherapist with a background of working in MSK in the NHS and privately and this is where she developed a special interest in chronic pain and how best to manage this complex condition that affects every aspect of people's lives. She has completed an MSc in Primary and Community Care Pain Management as well as qualifying as a non-medical independent prescriber through Nottingham University.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Head of Clinical Delivery ( North ) / National Lead - Long Term Conditions
Gail is a Consultant Allied Health Professional and has extensive clinical and leadership experience in interdisciplinary pain services.
As an Honorary Research Fellow, at Keele University, she is involved in world leading musculoskeletal research and supports the implementation of key research findings into policy and practice. She leads and contributes to the development of national policy and practice and is a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Fellow Alumni and current Member of the NICE Adoption and Impact Reference Panel. She is Immediate Past Chair of the British Pain Societies (BPS) Pain Management Programme Special Interest Group, sits on the BPS Education Committee and sat on the BPS Academic Scientific Committee. She has been a member of several external national committees and working groups (e.g., national standards, competencies, clinical guidelines, ePAIN), publishes in peer reviewed journals and has authored book chapters. She is also a postgraduate University Lecturer, has delivered CPD courses internationally and has presented at international and national conferences.
Job Titles:
- Team Lead and First Contact Practitioner, Tells Us How Rewarding It Is Being an FCP and How She Is Able to Help Patients to See the Right People, First Time
Gemma Parkin, Team Lead and First Contact Practitioner, tells us how rewarding it is being an FCP and how she is able to help patients to see the right people, first time.
Hal joined Connect in 2009 after beginning his career in Neurological Rehabilitation. He developed from a Physiotherapist to an Advanced Practice role. Hal now works as an Operations Manager for the Northeast overseeing the South Tyneside FCP and MSK service, Darlington FCP and MSK with integrated Pain and Durham Pain service.
Hal achieved his MSc Physiotherapy in January 2009 with prior qualifications in BSc Physiology and MRes Biomolecular Research. He has previously worked part time for 6 seasons in the NUFC Academy and Northern League Football and has also co-authored 2 published articles. Hal has served since 2016 in the RNLI as crew and is now working to become a Helm. Hal is passionate about shared decision making, personalised care and addressing health inequalities. He will have finished his masters module on: "Addressing Health Inequalities in Healthcare" by December 2023..
Hannah joined Connect in 2012 and has worked as a Senior Physiotherapist and Team Leader, having been responsible for supporting staff across the Blyth and Remote PhysioLine contracts which includes education, clinical audit and clinical development. As well as practicing clinically as a Senior Physiotherapist within the Blyth and Remote PhysioLine contracts.
Hannah became Service Manager for the Northumberland Joint MSK & Pain Service (JMAPS) in 2021 and is also responsible for the Remote/ Out of Hours MSK Services. Hannah has now progressed to Operations Manager.
Hannah qualified as a Physiotherapist from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2006. She worked as a Junior Physiotherapist at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust before she joined Connect in 2012. She has completed Connect's ADP programme and has worked across different contracts including Essex, North Kirklees, and the North East services.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
Helen joined Connect Health in April 2021 as Head of IMT Service Operations, accountable for the infrastructure, information security and supporting IT services. In October 2022, Helen successfully took over the role of Chief Information Officer, where she oversees Connect's technology related strategies and initiatives, helping the business to move forward with advances in technology and methods of processing and managing information.
With over 20 years of experience in IT and Programme Management across several sectors including Finance and Utilities, Helen has managed the successful implementation of large-scale IT and Operational Programmes of change, delivering significant benefits within organisations such as Santander, Barclays and nPower.
Helen is passionate about delivering secure, stable and innovative IT solutions which support our colleagues to deliver excellent care to our patients.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Operational Group Business Partner
Helen joined Connect Health in 2010 and currently works as a Clinical Operational Group Business Partner. Previously she held the position of Developing Consultant Physiotherapist, supporting staff across the North East contracts with education, clinical audits, clinical development and governance, whilst still practicing clinically as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP) in MSK CATS clinics and First Contact Practitioner Clinics.
Helen qualified as a Physiotherapist from Northumbria University in 2001 and worked in a variety of roles at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust before she joined Connect Health in 2010. During this time, she also completed a PGCert at the University of Teesside.
In 2017 and 2018, Helen co-authored 2 articles around the effectiveness of community MSK physiotherapy, and EQ5D outcome measures as a predictor of physiotherapy management. Helen also presented at Physiotherapy UK. Helen is the current Honorary Chair of the North East Charted Society of Physiotherapy regional network and is a member of the NICE Guideline Development Committee for hip, knee and shoulder replacement.
Job Titles:
- Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader
Isaac qualified as a physiotherapist from Brunel University in 2015. He started working in Hillingdon hospital through junior rotations before specialising in MSK as a senior. He also worked privately in a clinic for sports scholars at Brunel university recover from injury and return to high level sport.
He joined the Brent Connect Health team in 2019 as a team lead physiotherapist. This involved supervision, education and working with clinicians and assisting the service as a whole through leading audit and quality improvement projects. He was also the student coordinator for Brent where he worked with the national lead and local universities to create regular student placements. He has completed the developing advanced practitioner training through Connect Health in 2020/21 and became an Advanced MSK clinician in 2021. He set up and ran the complex rehabilitation clinics in Brent, helping patients who have complex barriers and goals with rehabilitation and exercise. Isaac joined the Oxfordshire service in 2023 as an Advanced MSK clinician team lead.
Outside of work, Isaac plays club level rugby, going to the gym and enjoys travelling to new countries at every opportunity.
Job Titles:
- Team Lead & Senior Musculoskeletal Clinician
James graduated in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention and joined Connect Health at the start of 2020 having previously worked in human fitness and performance, Musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and as a freelance sports and injury rehabilitation coach working within football, multi-sports and Martial Arts working with trusts including Queens Park Ranger's Football Club, Athlete London and others.
Initially joining Connect Health as a Rehab Therapist, he progressed through Connect Health's Accelerated Development Programme before being promoted to a senior MSK clinician then again to a Team Lead role in 2022
In addition to providing support to the operations manager and clinical lead in providing leadership, support and guidance to help develop the team, James is also the Student Coordinator for Brent in which he liaises with universities and students to enhance student experience and education in treating MSK conditions, He also runs and organises the complex gym clinics using individualised gym-based rehabilitation programmes to help patients reach their physiotherapy goals.
James spends most of his free time with his wife running around after their 2 children, enjoying days out, movie nights and exploring. He also has a background training and teaching in Martial Arts earning a 1 st degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu.
He is passionate about the continual progress of the patients and staff that he works with and the importance of helping them achieve independence.
James is a Physiotherapist graduating from London South Bank University with Distinction in 2022 and has joined Connect Health as our Senior Physiotherapist in our Merton Branch. James also holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sports and Exercise Science and a MSc in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation.
James has wide base of experience, previously working as an Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor (ERI) at DMRC Headley Court, providing exercise-based rehabilitation, strength & conditioning and aiding in pain management to patients with a wide range of conditions, including amputation and musculoskeletal trauma.
James has also worked in various sports, including GB Basketball & Brentford Football Club, and currently works with a local athletics club to improve performance, rehabilitation and injury prevention.
James's passion is to his patients, to understand their concerns and symptoms with the focus to develop essential treatment pathway's back to their goals. James enjoys sport in his free time and has recently taken up Golf.
Job Titles:
- Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader
Jennifer qualified as a Sports Therapist from The University of Hertfordshire in 2017 with a First Class honors degree.
Jennifer initially worked in sports teams, including the University's Women's Basketball Team, Bristol City Football Club Academy and Hertfordshire Mavericks Netball Super league Team, utilising her skills as a Sports Therapist, providing pitch side first aid and injury assessment and treatment.
She then went on to work in a number of different private physiotherapy clinics in Essex and Hertfordshire, where she started to develop an interest in management and leadership.
Jennifer began working for Connect Health in August 2022 as their first ever Sports Therapist in an Advanced MSK Clinician role. Since then she has developed into a team leader in the Oxfordshire service, where she enjoys mentoring and supporting her colleagues.
She is also a Champion for Sports Therapists at Connect Health and and Director of The Society of Sports Therapists
Job Titles:
- Physiotherapy Team Leader
Jess graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in Summer 2014 and joined the Connect Graduate programme in December of the same year. She has since worked her way through from Junior to Senior Physiotherapist and earlier this year took on the role of Physiotherapy Team Leader within JMAPS. She has a special interest in Women's Health, particularly in ante-natal pelvic girdle pain, and has worked with colleagues to improve the pathway and service for women's health conditions in South Tyneside. Jess also took part in a national project of training various different clinicians of different experience levels in how to use computer based notes systems.
Jyoti joined Pain management solutions in 2016 as a Clinical Specialist, and is currently Area Clinical Lead for Coventry/Rugby/Warwickshire within Central region. Jyoti has completed her graduation in Physiotherapy from India, and had worked in multi-speciality Hospital in India. She then arrived in the UK to pursue Masters' degree from Coventry University which she completed in 2009. She gained extensive experience within Musculoskeletal setting prior to joining Chronic pain service.
Jyoti has special clinical interest in Chronic pelvic pain and chronic abdominal pain. Jyoti is also the Local PMP Lead for Central region which involves organising, managing and running the Pain management Programmes with the Central region. Alongside managing the complex clinical cases, pain education sessions, team management; Jyoti also participates in injection clinic working in capacity of recovery nurse to help safe discharge of patients post injection.
Job Titles:
- Junior Application Support
Kane Bertram, Junior Application Support Analyst at Connect Health, tells us about how he started out in Patient Care Coordination and progressed to his current position in Information Management Technology.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Specialist and Occupational Therapist at Connect Health Pain Services
Karen Milsom, Clinical Specialist and Occupational Therapist at Connect Health Pain Services talks about her dual training in physical and mental health, and the benefits of working in an experienced multi disciplinary team.
Job Titles:
- Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader
Kurt Austin-Archer completed his Physiotherapy undergraduate degree at Oxford Brookes University, graduating with a first-class Honors in 2013. He continued his professional development in Oxfordshire, undertaking various junior rotations for 18 months. He then joined the community therapy service as a band 6 senior physiotherapist, where he remained for five years. During this time, he pursued his academic interests, attending the University of Birmingham, and completing a Master's degree in Health Research Methods within the faculty of public health, graduating at the end of 2020.
In early 2021, he transitioned to a role as First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) in a primary care network (PCN) located in Oxford. He actively participated in developing the FCP role and service by collaborating with clinical leads, GPs, and clinical directors. While working as an FCP, he had expanded his skillset by undertaking an injection therapy course as a post graduate qualification at the University of Essex.
He joined Connect Health in January 2023 as an advanced physiotherapy practitioner (APP). He finished the injection therapy course in April with the support of Connect Health, and graduated with distinction. He uses injection therapy as part of the APP role and recently took on the additional responsibility of APP team leader.
His main interests are in health research, systems thinking, and critical analysis, which he actively applies to research and development projects. He has a proven record of innovation, having developed a workflow capacity tool for a large service with 6 teams, consisting of 120 staff within Oxfordshire. His masters dissertation, titled ‘Physiotherapy-led self-efficacy strategies to promote physical activity: A systematic Review', demonstrates an understanding and commitment to evidence-based practice.
Job Titles:
- Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner and Team Lead
Lauren is one of our Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner's and is Team Lead of our Tier 2 (CATS) Service. She joined Connect Health in 2016 having previously worked in an NHS Trust. She has a BSc Hons in Physiotherapy and has recently completed an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.
Outside of work, Lauren's main hobby is CrossFit, she enjoys reading, and spending time outdoors with Luna her Cocker Spaniel.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Nursing, Clinical Governance and Risk
Lesley joined Connect in August 2022 as Director of Nursing, Clinical Governance and Risk as well as Director of Infection Prevention and Control. Lesley qualified as a nurse in 1989, specialising in Emergency Department Nursing and since leaving the clinical area has worked in many roles including Director of Operations and Nursing for a private hospital in turnaround and well as Associate Director of Governance in a large London Trust. Lesley has worked in multiple acute Trusts, private healthcare and more recently within an Integrated Care System.
The majority of the roles Lesley has undertaken have had governance as their focus including a secondment to NHS E/I undertaking turnaround. Lesley's most recent job was a Senior Clinical Lead and Workforce Lead for the COVID-19 vaccination programme covering three counties.
Lesley maintains her nursing qualification and firmly believes in a ‘Board to Floor' approach to management that empowers and includes all members of the muti professional team.
Job Titles:
- Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Lead
Liam studied at University of Nottingham, graduating in 2011 before working for a short period of time within the Colorectal Unit at St. Mary's Hospital, London as part of their Enhanced Recovery Programme.
Liam then returned home to Oxfordshire and completed his Junior Physiotherapist rotations locally within Oxford University Hospitals Trust, covering a variety of settings including MSK Outpatients, Trauma, Intensive care, Respiratory and Medical wards.
In 2015, Liam left the NHS for more varied experience. He spent 4 years working in a mixture of settings including: NHS Provider clinics, Private Clinics, Offender Health, St. Edward's School (Oxford), and a variety of sports settings including Oxford University Women's Rugby Club and event work within professional Motorsport.
Liam joined the Oxfordshire MSK Service in 2019 and has progressed from Band 6 MSK Physiotherapist to an Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Lead. He enjoys the variety that the role offers, and is passionate about the health and well-being of the local community.
Outside of work, Liam can more often than not be found at his local parkrun (Oxford Parkrun) on a Saturday morning, and has run with Kidlington Running Club for a number of years, including competing in events ranging from 5km-Ultra Marathon.
Lise Verlo, Development Manager in the Connect Health IM&T team, tells us about how she was still figuring things out when she left school and how her focus was to do something that would make her feel happy, even if she didn't know what that was.
Job Titles:
- Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner
Luke joined Connect Health in 2017 as a Senior Physiotherapist in Merton with a BSc Sports Science, and an MSc Physiotherapy and has recently moved into a CATs role. He is passionate about delivering quality patient care to a high standard.
When not at work he enjoys socialising with friends, playing racket sports, cycling and running in the countryside.
Job Titles:
- MSK Clinician and Team Leader
Greetings! I am Marc Christian, a passionate healthcare professional with a diverse background and a commitment to enhancing musculoskeletal health. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of South Africa, I embarked on my professional journey in 2012, graduating with a solid foundation in the field.
My career has been a dynamic exploration, initially spanning across various professional sports, with a particular focus on football-a sport that ignited my interest and fueled my dedication to musculoskeletal well-being. Seeking new horizons and opportunities for growth, I made a pivotal move to the United Kingdom, where I delved into the realms of diagnostic ultrasound and injection therapy.
Over the past four years, I have been an integral part of community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, where my dedication to patient care and expertise in the field have flourished. For the past three years, I have proudly served as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP), playing a crucial role in providing accessible and efficient care to those in need.
Since June 2023, I have had the privilege of being a part of the esteemed Oxford service, where I currently hold the position of Team Lead. This role allows me to merge my wealth of experience with a leadership ethos, ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to our community.
My journey is a testament to the belief that every step taken in one's professional trajectory contributes to a broader understanding of healthcare. I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, as I continue to make a positive impact on the musculoskeletal health landscape.
Job Titles:
- Team Lead Physiotherapist
Job Titles:
- Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist
Matt graduated from University of Birmingham in 2017 with a first-class honours degree in Physiotherapy. Since then, he was worked in a variety of specialist rehabilitation and musculoskeletal settings. Further specialist training led to a move into his current Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist (APP) role in Merton in 2022. Last year he gained a distinction in the national MSK Diploma, and is currently completing an Advanced Clinical Practice masters degree at University of Brunel.
He prides himself on excellent standards of care and strives to truly understand each patient and their issues, to help guide them towards improvement.
Mike joined Connect Health as Non-Executive Director in April 2020, before becoming Chief Financial Officer in Mar 2023. During that time, Mike was part of the team that delivered the acquisition of Connect's pain management business from InHealth.
Prior to Connect, Mike spent 3 years with private equity investor LDC, providing mid-market businesses in the North East of England with funding to support growth.
Mike is a Chartered Accountant, having spent 13 years with Deloitte in their corporate finance advisory practice, supporting private equity and owner managers to buy and sell regional businesses. Following the Credit Crunch of 2009, Mike set up his own consulting practice and over the next 10 years worked with a variety of mid-market companies supporting their growth plans and helping them achieve operational efficiencies.
He is also Non-Executive Director of Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Job Titles:
- Head of Clinical Delivery ( South ) / National Lead - MSK
Mike joined Connect Health in September 2018. He became part of the Clinical Leadership team for the Herts Valley Musculoskeletal (MSK) Services, having previously worked in the NHS as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner. He previously worked as a MSK Teaching Fellow on the Advanced Physiotherapy MSc programme at King's College London, amongst other previous roles within the NHS, sports and academia.
Mike undertook his Developing Consultant Programme, through Connect Health, completing a 2.5 year training programme to become a Consultant Physiotherapist in 2022. He worked as the deputy head of MSK before moving into his current role. His clinical and research interests are based around the assessment and management of persistent and disabling low back pain and his passion is in integrating care, communities and people through personalised care.
Mike joined Connect Health as Operations Director in July 2016, moving to Chief Operating Officer in May 2019 and Chief Executive Officer in September 2021. During that time, Mike has contributed to significant change and development of Connect's services and infrastructure, actively supporting our growth.
Prior to Connect, Mike spent 3 years in the NHS establishing and managing a major transformation programme, working across organisational boundaries to design and implement changes that have gone on to deliver £1bn savings whilst improving effectiveness and patient experience.
Mike's previous experience started with qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and then moving into management consulting during 18 years with Deloitte and KPMG where he worked with a broad range of public and private organisations to improve their operational effectiveness and efficiency.
He is also Trustee of Healthworks North East, a social enterprise working to reduce health inequalities.
Job Titles:
- Head of Patient Engagement
- Patient Engagement Specialist
Mini is a Patient Engagement specialist with over a decade of successful experience in NHS and commercial health sectors. She has a passion for addressing health inequalities; understanding the importance of patients being involved in their own care, self-care and wellness. Mini is a strong believer of better health, care and long-term outcomes through delivering services with value added. She has considerable experience in consultation within the MSK field and has a track record of delivering high standards in patient engagement.
Mini focuses on activities addressing general themes of the patient community, establishing and developing relationships with local and national patient groups and external agencies; giving patients a voice.
Mini's personal values of integrity, courage, passion and diversity are very much aligned to the values of Connect Health. Mini joined the organisation in 2019 and was immediately impressed with the efforts that are made to embed Connect's values and create a great culture.
Nick is an experienced Clinical Lead and combines his clinical and leadership responsibilities at Connect Health with a Senior Lecturer post at Teesside University.
He has worked in advanced musculoskeletal practice roles for several years and has experience in developing clinical governance and quality assurance standards. He contributes to the national development of Physiotherapy Education, Research and Clinical Practice in his role as Vice Chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy professional committee.
He is passionate about continued professional development across all of the MSK professions and has been an invited speaker at regional, national and international conferences. This passion also led to the development of the North East MSK Society which he chairs. He is currently studying for his PhD and has recently been successful in his application to begin a one year Developing Consultant Practitioner role.
Nicola has over 10 years' experience working within MSK Physiotherapy after qualifying from the University of Huddersfield; including seven years working in the North Kirklees MSK Service. She has worked within semi-professional sport, mainly Rugby League, since 2007. She progressed to a managerial role within Connect Health as Physiotherapy Team Lead; which involves the support, co-ordination and leadership of the Physio/Rehab Therapists and has now progressed to Operations Manager for Yorkshire. She provides support for the CATS service, assisting with triage and providing injection therapy. She also works collaboratively with other professionals and services locally to facilitate better patient pathways. Nicola has a passion for self-development and the development of others, as well as proactively supporting MSK Education events ran by Connect. Nicola was provided with a large amount of development through Connect's structured leadership programme, which she completed in June 2018.
Noah graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Sports Science where he developed a passion for injury rehabilitation which lead him to pursue a career in physiotherapy. He obtained a first class honours degrees from Kings College London in Physiotherapy shortly after and joined the Connect Health team in March 2023. Since his graduation he has been working in various MSK settings allowing him to gain extensive experience dealing with different MSK conditions. He believes in an holistic approach to healthcare tailoring treatment plans to meet individual needs. Noah also enjoys playing a wide range of sports from Rugby League to Tennis. Close
Paul joined Connect Health as a Clinical Lead of a community service in North Central London in 2014. Since then, he has progressed into several roles including Regional Manager, Deputy Director, Director of Operations and, more recently, Chief Operating Officer. Paul is also Connect Health's CQC registered manager. He has been instrumental in Connects growth from a commercial and operational perspective. Involved and leading service transformation projects and wider infrastructure changes that have supported our delivery of services simultaneously with our organisational growth.
Prior to Connect, Paul completed his BSc and then MSc at Brighton University and worked across a few NHS Trusts in and around London in the Musculoskeletal speciality.
He is also an MSK Champion for the Versus Arthritis charity who sponsored him to complete a prestigious Executive Leadership course at Hult Ashridge 2018-2020.
Job Titles:
- Head of IM & T Service Operations for Connect Health, Talks to Us about His Passion for Technology and How He Uses That to Drive the Projects He Works on
Paul Vincent, Head of IM&T Service Operations for Connect Health, talks to us about his passion for technology and how he uses that to drive the projects he works on.
Job Titles:
- Team Lead and Senior Physiotherapist
Pinal has taken all her responsibility as a team leader and supporting the management in delivering excellent clinical care.
Job Titles:
- Senior MSK Physiotherapist
Rebecca graduated as a Physiotherapist from University of Hertfordshire in 2018. Since graduating, Rebecca has worked in both inpatient and outpatient NHS settings in Neurological Rehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy specialities. Rebecca Joined Connect Health in 2021 as a Team Lead for Milton Keynes before becoming the Clinical Delivery Lead for the Milton Keynes and Nottingham services in 2022.
Rebecca believes that physiotherapy is about empowering people to achieve their full potential and to give people the confidence to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing and be better able to manage their condition.
Rebecca believes that physiotherapy is about empowering people to achieve their full potential and to give people the confidence to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing and be better able to manage their condition.
Outside of work Rebecca is a keen tennis player and musician and enjoys all things hiking and travel related.
Rory completed a degree in Sport and Exercise Science in 2014 followed by an MSc in Physiotherapy in 2017.
He started working for Connect Health in 2017 as a graduate physiotherapist. He then moved into a senior physiotherapist role in 2019 before moving into a team leader physiotherapist role in 2021.
Outside of work he enjoys watching sport and going to the gym.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
Rory previously worked in rotational posts in a large London NHS hospital before specialising in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. He is a firm believer that physiotherapy is about helping people understand and believe in the inherent strength of their bodies and supporting them to make positive behaviour changes that improve quality of life.
He is a keen sportsman and lover of outdoor activities from kite-surfing to golf.
Job Titles:
- Senior MSK Clinician / Sports Therapist and Team Leader
Sam McIntyre, Head of Operations North, NHS services tells us about her amazing achievements during her 22-year career at Connect Health, and how she loves the variety, opportunities and the work life balance.
Shamina Martin, Pain Nurse Specialist in Lincolnshire, shares how she came to work in pain services, the support received and the impact of the pandemic on effectively supporting people living in persistent pain.
Snehal qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2007 from India. She has past experience of working with a multi-disciplinary team for 5 years.
In the UK she was working through rotations with the Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust, before joining with Connect Health. After a year of working as a Senior Physiotherapist, Snehal progressed to a Team Leader role in March 2020. She has happily taken all her responsibilities as a Team Leader and supporting her team members and senior management in delivering excellent clinical care.
Apart from looking after her 3 year old son, if she gets any spare time, Snehal enjoys drawing and DIY.
Sophie Coggins, Occupational Therapist specialising in chronic pain at Connect Health Pain Services, talks about her fascinating journey to finding the job she loves. She highlights there is a great sense of trust and feels valued and respected as a clinician.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Lead
- Physiotherapist from India
Suraj Bafna qualified as a Physiotherapist from India in March 2014 with a first-class qualification. He started working as a Junior MSK Physiotherapist at QI Spine Clinic, Mumbai in April 2014 and worked his way up to be a Clinic Head in 2016. He was also a part of the QI training and research academy and worked on several projects of training, development and research, alongside seeing patients and managing the clinic during his two and a half years of working there.
He moved to the UK in December 2016 and started working as a Band 6 MSK Physiotherapist in London until April 2019, when he moved to Connect Health to work as a Team Lead Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist. As a Team Leader he works towards supporting his colleagues and uplifting them in every way possible. He started working as a Clinical Lead for Barking, Havering and Redbridge Service based in London since February 2022. He has now started working as a Clinical Lead for Oxfordshire Service and is looking forward to improving the general health of the residents of Oxfordshire.
He has a special interest in spine-related disorders and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. He is passionate about teaching and enjoys dancing to any music. He has been a folk dancer since childhood and continues his passion here in the UK too. He can communicate fluently in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi and Marwari.
Susan graduated as a Physiotherapist from University of Hertfordshire in 2015. She started her career working for the NHS in Barts Health as a Rotational Band 5 Physiotherapist working across both in/out-patient departments.
For the last 6.5 years Susan specialised in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy working for Connect health in various services. Susan started at Connect Health in 2017 as a Senior Physiotherapist and progressed to a Team Lead in 2020 and has been a Operations Manager since December 2021 to present. She is a firm believer that physiotherapy is about helping people understand and believe in the inherent strength of their bodies and supporting them to make positive behaviour changes that improve quality of life.
Tom graduated from the University of Bradford in 2009. Following this he worked in a number of physiotherapy roles in Wakefield for the Mid Yorkshire NHS trust. He gravitated towards working with people with persistent or long-lasting painful conditions in the Rheumatology service. Steadily moving south he joined what is now Connect Health Pain Services the year the Tour de France came to Yorkshire (2014). Perhaps following the route of the Peloton, he is now the lead clinician in the Barnsley and Sheffield services. He will openly tell anyone that clinicians and patients in South Yorkshire are the best out there.
Tom likes to think he knows a thing or two and values the role of research and evidence in managing pain, having completed his MSc in Health-related Research. He supports and contributes to the Physiotherapy Pain Association journal, Cochrane and the Flippin Pain Campaign. Tom has a clinical interest in Fibromyalgia/Chronic Widespread pain and has worked with a research group based at Sheffield Hallam University exploring how people with this condition find healthcare. Tom also thinks that the robots are coming for us all so does his best to put technology to good use in healthcare. Tom likes cycling, walking and the sound of rain on a tent.