Physiotherapy

Amy Irlam, Physiotherapy Manager
Since qualifying in 2004 from the University of Teesside, Amy completed junior rotations at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle before progressing to senior orthopaedics physiotherapist at Barnsley NHS Foundation trust.

Amy left the NHS in 2009 and moved to Cyprus where she worked for the MOD assessing and treating both in-patients and outpatients. On returning to the UK in 2011 she worked for Spire Hospital, Southampton as a specialist physiotherapist. Here she worked alongside some of the leading orthopaedic surgeons and gained valuable experience of the specific rehab protocols for complex / specialist orthopaedic surgery. She was also able to gain experience of treating patients undergoing general surgery and cardiac surgery and regularly treated patient in ITU.

Amy is a member of two special interest groups, the ACPA (Arthroplasty Care Practitioners Association) and the ATOCP (Association of Trauma Orthopaedic Chartered Physiotherapists).

Katie Goodarzi, Senior Physiotherapist
Katie qualified at Sheffield Hallam University in 2008. Initially, Katie began her career gaining extensive knowledge in the NHS, working within the core clinical areas, as well as specialties such as burns and plastics and spinal injuries.

In 2014 Katie became a specialist physiotherapist working at the Spinal Injuries Unit in Sheffield, working with complex trauma patients, as well as elective spinal surgery patients, advancing her rehabilitation skills by training in the Bobath concept. After leaving the NHS in 2016, Katie went on to work in private practice, treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries, gaining skills in soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisation and kinesiology taping.

Katie is passionate about her job and enjoys nothing more than helping people to achieve their goals.

Alison Darwin, Physiotherapy Technical Instructor
Alison started at Claremont in 1999 and in 2008, made the switch from Operating Theatre Administrator to Physiotherapy Assistant.

Since her transition to a patient facing role, Alison has completed her NVQ Level 2 and Diploma Level 3 in Health & Social Care gaining skills to support the work of the Physiotherapists in promoting patient independence on the ward and at home. Working alongside the Physiotherapists, Alison has been instrumental in delivering some our hip classes and joint schools.

For most people, coming into hospital for a procedure is a new experience. Alison says “My personal job satisfaction is helping people feel comfortable and at home during their stay, as I appreciate coming into hospital can be an anxious time for anyone.”

Joanne Straw, Physiotherapy Technical Instructor
Joanne has been at Claremont since 2004, working on Main Reception, Patient Admissions and now with the Physiotherapy team.

Joanne has completed her Diploma 3 in Health & Social Care and has trained in-house alongside the Senior Physiotherapists to promote patient independence on the ward and at home.

She has played a key role in developing and running hip and knee classes and says that “Working as part of the Physiotherapy team is the perfect job for me as it enables me to use both my clinical and clerical skills.” She finds assisting patients with their recovery after joint replacement surgery very rewarding.