Ms Zoe Rothery

Zoe started her career at St George’s University Hospital, London, during which time she developed a special interest in neurological rehabilitation. She is currently a Band 7 Physiotherapist at Sussex Rehabilitation Centre, a regional neurological rehabilitation unit based within University Hospitals Sussex. She is also in the final stages of completing an MSc in Health and Management at the University of Brighton, and is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology (ACPIN) committee.

Zoe is a strong advocate of the interdisciplinary, holistic approach to patient care. She has a special interest in improving therapeutic input for patients at all stages of the neurological rehabilitation pathway in order to maximise and maintain independence for as long as possible. Additionally, she is involved in developing a preceptorship programme for AHPs at University Hospitals Sussex, recognising the benefits to individual, organisation, and ultimately patients, of sustained educational and mentor support for staff.

Reason for applying for the scheme

Zoe was delighted to see that the FMLM had established a programme designed to empower AHPs to move into leadership roles in the NHS. Historically the allied health professions have not had access to the type of development opportunities afforded to their colleagues in medicine or nursing and, as a result, their collective voice has been small at Trust level and beyond.

Zoe applied for the clinical fellow scheme because it offered an unparalleled opportunity to understand how today’s NHS works, and how to influence the provision of care in the future. She feels privileged to be in a position to combine learning from senior leaders through project-based work, with time to step back and gain theoretical perspective. She hopes to combine this learning with her clinical and managerial experience to date in order to strengthen her contribution to patient care in the future.