Eleanor's Story: Making a positive impact as a Physiotherapist at Nuffield Health

We spoke with Eleanor Neville, our Senior MSK Physiotherapist specialising in Pelvic Health to find out what made her decide to join Nuffield Health, and what she’s enjoying most about life at Nuffield Health.

 

Eleanor Neville, Senior MSK Physiotherapist

 

What made you want to pursue a career in your role? 

My interest in physiotherapy stemmed from my athletic background and personal experience with physiotherapists as a patient in both injury prevention and rehabilitation. I enjoy working with people to achieve their goals and think we are well placed within the world of healthcare to give a real person centred approach and improve quality of life. 

What made you choose a career with Nuffield Health? 

The flexibility of the role. I have a young family and relocated a few years ago and I have been able to make the hours work around the chaos that comes with both of those things!

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

I like the variability from day to day and week to week both in terms of the patient presentations but also the different opportunities that are available for example with pelvic health patients or more recently with COVID rehabilitation. 

What do you enjoy most about working at Nuffield Health?

I like working within the gym- I love doing rehab and it is great to be able to take patients onto the gym floor or into the studio to do late stage rehabilitation or even into the pool for early work.

Equally, it is nice for work-life balance to be able to attend the gym myself before or after work, or to be able to work from home with virtual COVID rehabilitation patients. Variety is the spice of life as they say. 

Describe your colleagues and your relationship as a team?

My immediate team on a daily basis consists of non-healthcare professionals. I work at a gym and I was the first physiotherapist to be placed there. It has been nice to have a role in education in terms of what we do and grow relationships with personal trainers to facilitate patient care. 

I have an extended clinical support network which is mostly virtual but no less supportive. It took a while to adapt to the virtual support environment but it is really nice to know that someone is always available as needed.  

Tell us about a time when Nuffield Health supported you?

The pelvic health team is amazing in Nuffield Health. The lead Jo Dafforn is always available for support and there is a large network of virtual support from the rest of the team. 

I completed a rotation (reluctantly) on women’s health within the NHS but then really enjoyed it. When I relocated I was still not entirely confident in this area so considered not continuing, particularly as there was no ‘onsite’ support as I had been used to but the support was and continues to be unfaltering and I really enjoy working with this patient group so I am glad I continued to learn and practice in this field. 

What is your favourite patient, customer or client story?

My first patient at Nuffield Health was an older gent with lower back pain. He was a challenge as he wasn’t the best historian and had a complex presentation. Following further investigation, surgery was not advised due to comorbidities. The patient had unrealistic expectations but had underlying feelings of being dismissed due to age. It was really nice to get to know him and work with him to set some achievable goals and improve symptom management. I have seen him for a few different cases over the years and still see him attending the gym. It is a real privilege to be able to have a positive impact on someone and then see them continuing their journey independently. 

 

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