Physio First membership is open to self-employed physiotherapists, and those physiotherapists who work for them, in private practice across the United Kingdom.
We have 18 Physio First regions, each with its own Regional Officer (RO). Our Regional Officers are the key link between members in that region and our executive committee.
Regional Officers are the lifeblood of Physio First. They play a key role in our organisation’s success and help to plan and deliver our future. Their role includes ensuring a smooth flow of communication between members and our executive; resolving any regional issues; attending Physio First committee meetings and reporting back to our members on news and ongoing issues.
Regional meetings are held to support members in any way our RO thinks appropriate. Of our 18 ROs, one is nominated to sit on our executive committee as a full voting member, and representative of all regions. All ROs are invited to take part in two full committee meetings a year.
Our ROs are supported by, and have regular contact with, our Chairman, Vice Chairman, Strategic & Business Lead, Regional Officer Representative, and our Physio First office team.
Being an RO is a very fulfilling role and gives members the opportunity to learn new skills covering business and commercial decisions. It also develops their knowledge of how private practice works around the country and internationally.
Our ROs look at likely threats and opportunities facing our members and take part in discussions and debates on meeting any challenges.
So if you’re a member who would like to be more involved in the running of Physio First, to help shape our future and be the voice of our regional members, please contact our RO Rep Lucinda Brock: ro.rep@physiofirst.org.uk or our Chairman Karen Lay: chairman@physiofirst.org.uk.
Your Regional Officers
Oxford Regional Officer/RO Rep
Lucinda Brock
Lucinda is the owner of Chipping Norton Physio. She specialises in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and has a specific interest in low back and neck pain, and post-operative rehabilitation.
In 2006 Lucinda completed her MSc in Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at UCL. She has worked in the NHS, and at the Manor Hospital in Oxford, and is also a fully qualified APPI Pilates Instructor.
Lucinda has been a member of Physio First since April 2009, and was an Alternate for the Oxford region for 3 years before commencing her current role as Regional Officer.
Details:
Lucinda Brock, MCSP
Chipping Norton Physio, Lectern Hall, West Street, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 5LH
Telephone: 07703 578184
Email: oxford@physiofirst.org.uk
London Regional Officer
Tracie Bolger
Tracie qualified as a physiotherapist from the Royal London Hospital, and worked at University College Hospital for many years before moving to West London to start a family, at which pint she started working as a private practitioner.
She joined Physio First in 2000 in order to connect with other private physios and found that attending our annual was, and continues to be an excellent resource both from her clinical and business perspective.
Tracie is proud to be a member of Physio First, and feels that our organisation provides invaluable guidance in our ever-changing unpredictable marketplace.
The Alternate position is currently vacant, are you interested?
Speak to Tracie, or contact our office team on 01604 684960 or email minerva@physiofirst.org.uk
Details:
Tracie Bolger MCSP
Riverside Physiotherapy, Ruislip
Telephone: 07958 740888
Email: london@physiofirst.org.uk
Midlands Regional Officer
Susannah Solt
Susannah qualified with a first class Honours degree in Physiotherapy from Manchester University in 1994. She initially worked for the NHS in central London, gaining experience many aspects of health care, before moving into private practice in Kent.
Having set up Active Now Physiotherapy, Susannah moved her practice to Warwick in 2007.
Between 1998 and 2000 Susannah worked as a physiotherapist with the British Para Equestrian Team, and she has worked as a National Classifier for Disabled Sport.
Susannah has been a member of Physio First since November 1998 and was an Alternate for the Midlands region for a year before commencing her current role as Midlands Regional Officer, and sits on our education committee.
Details:
Susannah Solt, MCSP
Active Now Physiotherapy, Turkey Farm House, Beausale Lane, Hatton, Warwick, Warwickshire CV35 7PE
Telephone: 01926 800101
Email: midlands@physiofirst.org.uk
North West Met Regional Officer
Paul Gibson
Paul qualified with a degree in Physiotherapy from East London University, having previously studied Sports Sciences at Brunel University. After gaining three and half years’ valuable and varied experience at Mount Vernon Hospital, he moved into the private sector.
As a physiotherapist experienced in assessing, managing, and treating a large variety of musculoskeletal conditions, Paul specialises in sports injuries, spinal, knee and shoulder problems, and has an interest in biomechanical assessment of the foot and post-operative rehabilitation. He has been a member of Physio First since 2011 and been in his current role as Regional Officer for North West Met since 2016.
The Alternate position is currently vacant, are you interested?
Speak to Paul Gibson (above), or contact our office team on 01604 684960 or email minerva@physiofirst.org.uk
Details:
Paul Gibson, MCSP
Ruislip Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, 15 West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 6JE
Telephone: 01895638841
Email: nw.met@physiofirst.org.uk
Scotland Regional Officer
Kenny Cross
Kenny is a Manager and owner of Ascent Physio and Massage based in Falkirk. He has over 29 years' experience as a physiotherapist and has been a member of Physio First for approximately 15 years.
Kenny has a special interest in sports injuries and manual therapy assessment, and has worked as Head Physiotherapist for Falkirk Football Club for six and a half years.
The Alternate position is currently vacant, are you interested?
Contact to Kenny Cross, or contact our office team on 01604 684960 or email minerva@physiofirst.org.uk
Details:
Kenny Cross, MCSP
Sumo Therapies, 81-83 Mary Street, Laurieston, Falkirk, FK2 9PR
Telephone: 01324 630888 or 07967 446356
Email: scotland@physiofirst.org.uk
South West Regional Officer
Emily Gadd
Emily runs Stonegallows Physiotherapy clinic in Taunton, Somerset which expanded in 2018 to its new premises. She qualified with a BSc honours degree from Coventry University in 2014 and worked in the NHS for 4 years prior to joining Stonegallows.
In 2019 Emily also completed a postgraduate diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy so alongside her love of MSK physio she also treats animals and their owners!
Emily specialises in upper limb rehabilitation and was a hand therapist during her time in the NHS which she thoroughly enjoyed, alongside this shes has a great interest in horse and rider combinations and loves treating them both as a partnership!
The Alternate position is currently vacant, are you interested?
Contact Emily Gadd, or contact our office team on 01604 684960 or email minerva@physiofirst.org.uk
Details:
Emily Gadd
Response Physiotherapy, David Lloyd Health Club Rugby Road, WEst Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7HX
Telephone:
Wales Regional Officer
Liam Duffy
Liam Duffy, has been a volunteer for Physio First since 2017, and lives and owns a practice in Rhyl in Flintshire, Wales. He qualified as Physiotherapist at the St George University of London in 2012; he is also a Licensed Acupuncturist. After qualifying, Liam worked in a practice in Bangor before joining PhysioNow
He specialises in musculoskeletal problems including road traffic injuries and whiplash and an emphasis on Sports Injuries. Born and raised in North Wales his first language is Welsh and he can liaise confidently with Welsh & English-speaking patients
The Alternate position is currently vacant, are you interested?
Speak to Liam Duffy (below), or contact our office team on 01604 684960 or email minerva@physiofirst.org.uk
Details:
Liam Duffy, MCSP
39 Highfield Park, Y Rhyl, Flintshire, LL18 3NL
Telephone: 07738 081738
Email: wales@physiofirst.org.uk