Helen Bleasdale, Chartered Physiotherapist

Professional Experience

I qualified as a chartered physiotherapist in 2004, having completed my studies at Brunel University. Since 2007, I have worked in neurology, spending five years at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, where I had specialist training and clinical support from very highly skilled physiotherapists. I have worked with patients at all stages of the rehabilitation journey, from diagnosis to end of life and as part of a multidisciplinary team on neurosurgical, stroke rehabilitation, and neurological rehabilitation wards.

I am confident in the assessment and treatment of central and peripheral vestibular disorders, having worked in a specialist tertiary referral clinic treating both inpatients and outpatients. I am also confident in the assessment and treatment of patients presenting with neurological symptoms as a result of stroke, cerebral palsy, brain tumour, brain haemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, long-term neurological conditions (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease), disorders of consciousness, and neuromuscular conditions.

I set up my own private practice in 2017, which focuses on the assessment and treatment of patients with neurological conditions in their own home. My caseload includes patients with long term progressive neurological conditions and catastrophic brain injury from varying causes. I set goals with my patients and support and encourage them to achieve these. I set up and run a weekly exercise class for people with neurological conditions, focusing on long term management of neurological conditions and maintaining cardiovascular and respiratory fitness.

Prior to this I worked part time in a Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre, where I was responsible for the assessment and treatment plans for residents with high levels of disability and care needs. Spasticity was a common issue requiring careful assessment and recommendations for both physical and medical management.

At the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery I worked in a specialist clinic for the assessment and provision of functional electrical stimulation for gait and neuromuscular electrical stimulation as part of upper limb rehabilitation. I also completed a rotation in the Neuro-orthotics clinic working alongside an orthotist in the assessment and provision of upper and lower limb splints.

Professional Development

I maintain my professional development and HCPC standards by attending relevant training. I regularly seek out opportunities to ensure that I am clinically up to date and using the best evidence-based practice. This includes attending clinical courses and undertaking joint clinical reasoning sessions with colleagues.