Catherine Sweby, Chartered Physiotherapist

Professional Experience

I qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1992, and have specialised in the field of neurosciences since 1996. Since May 2020, I have been employed as an AHP Consultant Neurorehabilitation as part of a transformation process for neurorehabilitation services across Greater Manchester.

My current role involves the leadership, supervision and management of the AHP teams working within the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust, hyper-acute, acute and intermediate (post-acute) neurorehabilitation units. I also actively collaborate and work with the Greater Manchester Neurorehabilitation and Stroke Delivery Network team. My job plan includes clinical work, and the development of standardised pathways of care for neurorehabilitation patients including prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDoC); complex tracheostomy weaning and those with significant physical and cognitive disability. It is my responsibility to ensure there is appropriate training and supervision for all AHP’s working across neurological rehabilitation. The Consultant AHP role also has requirements to provide assurance with regards to AHP Clinical Governance and I investigate complaints and adverse incidents. I also encourage and develop research opportunities for AHP staff. Currently I am part of the” R-Speak” research project team, and facilitate the evaluation of new and innovative technologies.

I worked within a major trauma service from April 2012 as the clinical specialist physiotherapist, where I led the physiotherapy management for patients admitted following major trauma leading to multiple, and / or severe and often complex injury including: head injury / acquired brain injury secondary to hypoxia, spinal cord injury, vascular / orthopaedic injury including amputation, chest injury, orthopaedic injury including salvage surgery and complex pelvic surgery, and injury requiring plastic surgery. I provided advice and worked alongside physiotherapy staff in other areas including critical care, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, general medicine, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery and elderly care. My role also included supervision of both qualified physiotherapists and students.

Prior to working within the Major Trauma Service at Brighton, I had gained 17 years’ experience specialising in acute neurosciences. My previous roles as a Band 7, and clinical specialist physiotherapist in neurosciences involved working within the areas of neurosurgery (including critical care), neurology, stroke, acute neurological rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation and neurological out-patients.

Professional Development

Since 2016, I have been registered on the UK International Emergency Trauma Register. I have received training with Humanity and Inclusion (formally Handicap International) and UK Med to prepare me for deployment to humanitarian disasters working as a physiotherapist both within a UK field hospital and as part of a specialist rehabilitation cell and I currently participate in "on-call" periods for UK Med. In November 2022 I was deployed to Ukraine for a 4 week period as part of a planned deployment to support rehabilitation provision, education and training within a fully operational hospital.

I also maintain my professional development and HCPC standards by attending relevant training.