ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Katharine Wood

Lecturer Practitioner, Physiotherapy

Department of Allied Health

Contact Details

email: k.wood@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 542953

I love neuro and anything related to neuro. My first degree was in physiology at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ of Liverpool where I completed a module in advanced neuroscience; from that moment, I was hooked. I remember watching a video of some physiotherapists assisting a stroke patient in a discussion we were having regarding neuro-plasticity. I was amazed that physiotherapists had the skill and ability to help assist in the brains recovery and re-wiring. When I left Liverpool, my academic tutor asked me what I was going to do and I announced that I was going to be a neuro-physiotherapist! I then was on a mission to become one. I then went to the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ of Birmingham to complete my physiotherapy training (in those days there werent many universities that offered masters level physiotherapy) All the way through my degree programme, although I thoroughly enjoyed every component of physiotherapy, I was focused on neuro; I had a wonderful neuro lecturer who inspired me even more this lecturer is now a Therapy Consultant in neuro-rehab in London.

On graduation, I started working in the NHS and realised the importance of gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy to help with my successful treatment of neurological disorders.

I left the NHS in 2011 to pursue my goal of establishing on-going rehabilitation for long-term neurological conditions; this entailed setting up a charity that offered hydrotherapy and working as a clinician offering hands-on therapy. It was during this time that I was approached to assist with designing the new physiotherapy degree programme at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to make sure neuro was firmly rooted throughout the programme. I had no intention of applying for a job as a lecturer until I was convinced otherwise. Amazingly, I was offered a job! I started my first undergraduate lecturing post at the same time as our first ever cohort in 2013. I love teaching and inspiring students. It is a joy to witness the evolution of a physiotherapy undergraduate from a hesitant individual into a competent and confident clinician. I can honestly say that I love my job I am still a treating clinician for neurological conditions but I also get to teach and inspire our future neuro-physiotherapists.

With the development of the student-led clinic and focus on neurological rehabilitation that the students offer in the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½'s McClelland Centre, I am sure that I will be able to encourage more students into neuro-physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 

PG Cert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education