Sheffield Hallam celebrates decade of physiotherapy and OT training

Sheffield Hallam University has celebrated 10 years of training physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the East Midlands, with more than 100 students, healthcare managers and local clinicians coming together to mark the key milestone.

Attendees at the New Life Conference Centre in Sleaford last weekend had the chance to listen to key speakers and prizes were awarded to students from the local area for outstanding achievement.

The ‘Practice-Based Learning’ courses are run by Sheffield Hallam University, but mostly taught in Lincolnshire at Grantham and District and Boston hospitals and placements across the region.

Sheffield Hallam works in partnership with social and healthcare providers in the East Midlands to help shape the teaching of the courses, including Health Education East Midlands who commissioned the programmes. They are aimed at students who already have some experience of working in health and social care.

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists are in high demand within health and social care, which is reflected by the fact that within three months all graduates are employed and in a great position to have a long and successful career.

“It’s fantastic to be celebrating ten years of educating a workforce who are making a real difference in local communities across the East Midlands.

“Working with local healthcare providers Sheffield Hallam University have trained dozens of physiotherapists and occupational therapists over the last ten years,” said Dr Theresa Baxter, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at Sheffield Hallam University.

“We are a leading provider of this kind of innovative training, which is about educating professionals to deal with ever increasing complex needs.” added Dr Baxter.

One of the students on the course said: “This is a brilliant course. It has given us an amazing opportunity to progress our careers and the support from our managers,  practitioners, lecturers and course leaders has been fantastic”.

Pictured are students with Theresa Baxter, Christine Dunn (left) and Dr Ed Bakker.