PPIPS Committee

Committee vacancies will be advertised annually and so any members wishing to get more actively involved should look out for details of these or contact the committee to register their interest.

CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Contact: ppips@apcp.org.uk

Gomathi Murugesan (Gomz) - Chair and Representative to National Committee

Gomz has over 18 years of working in varied settings and areas but majorly in Neuro rehab of adults and children and in community settings. Gomz has a special interest in Neurological rehabilitation, Gait, and Posture management in Complex Disabilities. Gomz also runs  Rebound  Therapy sessions and Aqua Therapy sessions maximizing on the patients functional abilities in the community. 

Gomz qualified as a physiotherapist in 2003 from India and also holds a Post Graduate Certification in Neurorehabilitation from Oxford Brookes University. UK. Gomz worked for NHS for the last 16 years before she started her own practice. Gomz also supports the local sports club for special needs and provides advice/support when required. Gomz also works with legal teams closely in litigation cases and in supporting families through the process. Gomz delivers specific training to special school settings especially respiratory and posture management; Gomz also runs staff training required to improve competencies in the community. 

Gomz does independent practice in the community delivering physiotherapy for children and adults in their settings in Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, and Borders. 

Michelle Jordan - Vice Chair

Michelle Jordan is the owner of an award-winning multi-disciplinary paediatric therapy practice in South West London. Michelle is the Vice-Chair of the PPIPS committee.

Having graduated with honours in Physiotherapy from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2002, Michelle embarked on her journey in the field of paediatrics. Over the course of her career, Michelle has worked in various settings, including the NHS - acute and community settings, special schools, and in the private sector since 2008 where she has played a pivotal role in service development.

Throughout her career, Michelle has been dedicated to the advancement of paediatric physiotherapy. Alongside her extensive clinical experience, she also possesses experience in the mentorship and education of other therapists. Michelle's passion as a paediatric physiotherapist is infectious. Her approach to treating children of all ages and conditions is holistic, recognising the profound impact on every facet of their lives. Her work is underpinned by years of clinical experience and an impressive commitment to continuous learning. While Michelle's training spans various domains, her core interest lies in neurology, child development, posture, and sensory integration in children.

Michelle's extensive experience and dedication make her a valuable asset to the PPIPS committee and the broader field of paediatric physiotherapy in the UK. In her role as Vice-Chair of the PPIPS committee, Michelle brings a wealth of expertise and a unique perspective to the team. One of her primary strengths is her unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration. Michelle understands that the best outcomes for children are achieved when healthcare professionals work in harmony, focusing on the "team around the child" concept. Her experience in setting up and successfully managing a multi-disciplinary team at her practice is a testament to her dedication to this collaborative approach.

Moreover, Michelle's impact extends beyond the walls of her practice. Her involvement in service development has led to innovative solutions that address the unique needs of children in educational environments. In addition to her clinical work and administrative achievements, Michelle is a passionate advocate for paediatric physiotherapy. She is actively engaged in promoting the profession at various levels, from sharing her knowledge with local GCSE students to providing guidance and support to parent and baby groups. Her outreach also extends to educators, where she shares insights on the importance of paediatric physiotherapy and its role in the holistic development of children.

Lisa Paul - Committee Secretary

Lisa graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in 2000 with honours, and is a Bobath Trained Therapist. Lisa has worked in Paediatrics for over 20 years, working in the NHS for the first 13 years before venturing into the independent sector. Lisa set up her own Practice, as a sole trader, in 2020. She provides community based paediatric physiotherapy in the North-West of England for those with predominantly neurological difficulties. Lisa has attended several post-graduate courses that have influenced her practice including Rebound Therapy, Postural Management and Hydrotherapy.

Lisa is also passionate about promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles in children. She believes in a holistic approach to treatment, working closely with parents, carers and other healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcomes for her patients.

Gemma Rous

Gemma graduated from Brunel University in 2007 and specialised almost immediately into paediatrics. She has thirteen years of experience working with children in schools, clinics, and home settings, both within the UK and in developing countries. In the UK she has worked in Buckinghamshire, Oxford, and London before moving to North Devon. 

 For a number of years, Gemma combined statutory provision in North Devon & Exeter with private practice before becoming fully self-employed in 2019. She currently works as a sole trader, independent Paediatric Physiotherapist within a rural community setting, working with families both privately and through medical-legal cases. 

 Gemma is trained in Bobath therapy and has experience in conductive education. 

 She enjoys the close relationships with families that private practice affords and is passionate about advocating and supporting them to receive appropriate treatment, helping children to achieve their potential.

 She is likewise keen to support therapists wishing to make the transition from statutory to independent practice.

Sophie Brazier

Sophie qualified in 2007 from Northumbria University. Sophie joined the Physiotherapy team at Children in Motion in September 2016 on a part time basis alongside working in the NHS as a band 6 Paediatric Physio then Therapy team lead for a community children therapies team with KCHFT.  Now full time with Children in Motion in Surrey, Sophie manages a caseload of children of all ages, mostly with neurological conditions and developmental delay.  She also visits an SEN school two days a week providing therapy input as part of the children’s EHCPs.

In 2016 Sophie trained to become a MAES therapist and uses this treatment approach in combination with other approaches.  She has also completed an orthotics course with Elaine Owen in 2017 on the assessment and prescription of Ankle Foot Orthoses Footwear Combination and she continues to successfully work with Elaine, at the London Orthotics Consultancy, in providing her clients with the most optimal orthotic prescription.

Sophie has a special interest working with children of all ages with developmental and neurological difficulties.  She is particularly keen to promote joint working between NHS and private therapists with the child/ young person at the centre of this.

Helen King

Graduating in 1997, Helen worked in the NHS for 22 years specialising in Paediatrics after 2 years as a Rotational Physiotherapist. Recently setting up her own practice in Shropshire she specialises in treating children with neurodevelopmental difficulties.

Helen has attended numerous courses which have influenced her practice such as the Elaine Owen Orthotic Course, ORLAU gait analysis course, Advanced Ponseti management, Early Assessment and Intervention with Babies and Young Children at the Bobath Centre and the General Movement Assessment course 2020. However, the most influential course to date has been the M.A.E.S Therapy 4 week course and the Advanced M.A.E.S Courses. Helen now assists teaching on M.A.E.S Therapy courses and has set up a M.A.E.S Therapy Skype Tutorial group which provides support for other Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists trained in the approach and is also a member of the International MAES Therapy Tutorial group.

Helen continues to enjoy practicing as an Independent Physiotherapist specialising in the treatment of children with neurodevelopmental conditions and is looking forward to working as member of the PPIPS committee to support the role of APCP members who work in the independent and private sectors.

Devita Thandi

Devita started her physiotherapy career after graduating from Coventry University in 2009.

Devita has over 13 years' experience working within the NHS in various areas from acute hospitals to community settings.   Where she  started specialising in paediatrics in 2013 working within NHS community settings, in special schools and musculoskeletal clinics, giving her a wealth of experience of working with children with a diverse range of conditions.

Devita ventured into the private sector in August 2022 and has now been working fully self-employed as an independent children's physiotherapist since September 2023. Devita works with families in Leicester and surrounding areas through private appointments and medico-legal cases. She specialises in children with movement disorders, developmental delay, and physical disabilities.

Devita provides a variety of therapeutic treatments, including neuro-developmental treatments, 24 hour's postural management, and water and land-based therapy.

Devita is keen to dive further into the world of private practice promoting collaboration with NHS and private physiotherapists to achieve the most desirable outcome for the child and family. Devita is also keen on supporting other paediatric physiotherapists who are wanting to work in the private sector.

Vicky Fudge

Vicky is a highly experienced paediatric physio who has worked for over 20 years for the NHS, and along side her work, Vicky has dedicated the last 10 years also providing hippotherapy. Recently in the last few years, Vicky has set up a family run equine therapy centre, where children come and visit or stay onsite for alternative therapy holidays with physiotherapy, rebound and hippotherapy here in peaceful Hereford.

Vicky has worked in the community, wards and special schools and has vast experience with children with neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular conditions and in 2021, completed the MAES therapy training. Vicky works closely with multidisciplinary team both in NHS and independent sector and has real passion to help children and their families maximise potential without losing the fun and enjoyment in life. 

Andrea Clarke

Andrea has worked in Paediatrics for 27 years since 1996 starting in the NHS till 2004 in Harrow North London. She did her Basic Bobath Course in 2002 and started private practice at that time, and then moved into the Voluntary sector as well as a Network Therapist with Whizz-Kidz. In 2004 she left the NHS and worked as the Lead Physiotherapist for the PACE centre working with Conductive Education.

In 2009-2016 she then went back to the NHS to lead the new Transition service, based from Northwick Park hospital Harrow. 

 In 2005 she also started the process of founding a charity in Hertfordshire for pre-school children with Physical Disability or Delay, in 2006 the pilot work with 8 children started and in 2008 Playskill became a charity. The charity currently works with 48 children per term 3 days a week and runs parental education programmes & support focussing on Early Intervention. Andrea has been Director of the charity till 2023 when she recently stepped down. 

Andrea is continuing in her private practice working with children from 11+ and some young adults with Cerebral Palsy. 

Harri Ashworth

Harri graduated from Cardiff University in 2008 and has over 15 years experience working in a number of paediatric

settings. Harri has enjoyed opportunities in the NHS, private and overseas services in a number of clinical areas ranging from NICU, MSK, rehabilitation, neurodisability, community and school settings.

Currently Harri is Head of Therapies for a team of therapists at a special needs school for pupils with vision, sensory and physical impairment. Harri supports a large team of PTs, OTs and SALTs as part of the Southfields Academy.

Harri is a progressive leader dedicated to innovation and collaboration at both a senior leadership, management level and within the multidisciplinary team environment. For a number of years Harri has supported managing the establishment of new provisions and working on change management projects to better the quality of provision care and standards.

Harri continues to love working with children, young people and their families and keeping their achievements and progress at the centre of all she does.

Maggie Dawson 

Maggie has over 15 years experience as a Physiotherapist with the majority of those years in Paediatrics. Maggie has worked in both the public and private sectors in the UK and abroad.

Maggie graduated from King’s College London with an honours degree in 2008 and after volunteering in Tanzania and Malaysia, Maggie moved to Australia where she worked in Adelaide and then Darwin. Maggie worked in private practice in Adelaide and then for an NGO in Darwin where she provided therapy to children as part of a transdisciplinary team and outreach work to the indigenous population.

After four years in Australia, Maggie moved back to the UK to complete her postgraduate diploma in Paediatric Physiotherapy at University College London which she passed with Merit. During this time she worked for several different NHS teams as a Locum Paediatric Physiotherapist and completed an elective placement at GOSH with the neuromuscular team.

Upon seeing a job advert for a Paediatric Physiotherapist in the Cayman Islands, Maggie packed her bags again and moved to warmer climates. Maggie was the only Paediatric Physiotherapist for all three islands and worked for the local health authority providing inpatient and community therapy.

Now back in the UK for 5 years, Maggie is busy running her own private company providing domiciliary paediatric physiotherapy in Dorset. As part of her private practice, Maggie provides Medico-legal services and has completed several expert witness reports and attended court. In addition, Maggie provides assessment and measuring for a splinting company who make compression garments and body splints. Maggie continues to be involved in the NHS as an equipment coordinator. Maggie has expertise in equipment provision, postural management and early intervention.

In her personal life, Maggie enjoys spending time with her husband, young daughter and there dogs and tries to find time to go to the gym and run.

Paurooshasp (Peter) Pardiwala

Peter is a paediatric physiotherapist working in both private practice and the NHS, mainly with children and young people with neurodisability. Peter graduated from India and Post Graduation from Sheffield Hallam University in 2008. Since then, Peter has been working in various community settings across the UK broadening his experience in the field of paediatrics.

Peter liaises with a wide range of professionals to continuously engage in learning new skills and linking with like minded people, in delivering evidence-based treatment. Peter's purpose, is to enrich lives of persons with long term conditions to empower and enable them to achieve their goals and dreams. His strong values of compassion, collaboration, kindness and empathy helps to always keep people first.

Outside work, Peter enjoys being physically active either by using the gym or going for walks. He also takes care of his mental health and well-being by regularly engaging in meditation and mindfulness.