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 University 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 University 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 University. 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 University'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