Members of the Team

Our team us made up of a range of professionals. Click on each section to find out more.

Neurology Assistant Practitioners

Physiotherapists

Occupational Therapists

Neurology Nurses

Neurology assistant practitioners

Our neurology assistant practitioners (APs) are highly skilled members of our team who work under the supervision of our physiotherapists, occupational therapists and neurology nurses. They are trained and experienced in delivering high-quality, person-centred care. Their aim is to help you make the most of your care and rehabilitation and feel supported every step of the way. They can help with:

Supporting your rehabilitation

Continuing your exercise or therapy programme either at home, in the clinic or in a group setting.

Home visits

Assessing your home environment and suggesting equipment or simple adaptations that can make daily life easier and safer.

Monitoring your progress

Alongside the physios and occupational therapists, they may check in with you regarding your progress and offer some tips and hints if needed.

Supporting education and self-management

Helping you understand your condition and learn techniques to manage symptoms such as fatigue, pain or muscle stiffness.

Liaising with the wider team

Helping to ensure your care is well co-ordinated by communicating to the other clinicians involved in your treatment.

Co-ordinating blood tests and results

For patients who take disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) for conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), our assistant practitioners will send a reminder when your regular blood tests are due, along with the forms you need to get these done. They also follow up the results and ensure any important information is shared promptly with the specialist nurses.

Physiotherapists

Our physiotherapists work closely with the other members of the multidisciplinary team to promote independence, encourage activity, assist you in achieving your goals and support you in the self-management of your condition.

What will they ask me?

Be prepared to answer some questions relating to your condition and current symptoms, including how these may be affecting you physically and emotionally. It would be useful for your physiotherapist to know what you are finding difficult and any recent changes to your abilities.

What will I need to do at the first assessment?

Depending on your current symptoms, your physiotherapist will complete a series of small tests with you. This will allow them to look at things like your movement, strength, sensation and balance, which will be explained to you as you go along.

After your assessment, your physiotherapist will work with you to plan a rehabilitation programme that suits your needs and helps you to manage your condition most effectively.

What treatments are available?

Some of our treatment options may include:

Exercise therapy for balance, strength and range of movement

  • Health coaching
  • Movement facilitation
  • Gait analysis and re-education
  • Motomed/Thera-trainer bike
  • Advice and education for family or carers
  • Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
  • Assessment and advice for splinting and orthotics
  • Management of increased tone

Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists support people to do the activities that are important to them, which we believe helps people to be healthier. These activities might include being able to look after yourself or others, housework, paid work, education or leisure interests. We can provide education, rehabilitation, supply equipment or teach people new ways to do things.

Occupational therapists may work in the health service, in social services, private companies and in charities. We may therefore pass referrals onto other occupational therapists who are better at dealing with some issues, or we may work together.

 

Examples of the work we do:

  • Provide rehabilitation to improve hand use
  • Teach techniques to manage fatigue and energy levels
  • Teach ways to deal with memory problems
  • Support people to stay in work or return to work
  • Provide hand splints
  • Use leisure activities to facilitate wellbeing
  • Provide advice about posture and positioning
  • Identify sensory and perceptual problems and try to address them
  • Advise on equipment and adaptations to reduce effort
  • Work with other health and social care professionals to help people better manage their health
  • Give advice on returning to driving
  • Supervise participation in activities to increase confidence

Neurology nurses

Our neurology nurses provide specialist support and information for people aged 18 and over who are living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or Parkinson’s. We are also here to support relatives and carers, who play an important role in helping people manage their condition.

We work closely with neurologists at the James Paget University Hospital and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, as well as with other health and social care professionals. Together, we aim to help people understand their condition, manage symptoms, and maintain the best possible quality of life.

Neurology nurses offer advice, emotional support, education and practical strategies to help people live well with their neurological condition. Depending on your needs, we may coordinate your care, help you navigate services, or refer you to other specialists who can provide additional support.

Examples of the work we do:

  • Provide information and education to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment
  • Offer advice on managing symptoms such as fatigue, pain and spasms
  • Support people to adjust to new or changing health needs
  • Act as a point of contact for questions between appointments
  • Provide guidance on medications, including how and when to take them
  • Support discussions about future planning and advance care decisions
  • Signpost to local services, charities and support groups
  • Work with your GP, therapists and specialists to ensure your care is joined-up and personalised