Thomas Porter, Chartered Physiotherapist

Professional Experience

I qualified from Nottingham University in 2004 and specialised in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. I have wide-ranging expertise in the musculoskeletal field, particularly in cases involving the hip, knee and shoulder, and my main area of specialism is spinal cases. I have worked in both the NHS and private healthcare settings.

I currently work as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP). I assess individuals with complex musculoskeletal presentations who have been referred by physiotherapists or GPs, and diagnose a wide range of conditions through expert assessment skills and use of diagnostic tools, including blood tests, MRI scans, X-rays and ultrasound scans. I also administer corticosteroid injections. I work closely with GPs and consultants in several specialisms including orthopaedics, rheumatology, and pain services. I have a special interest in teaching physiotherapists about diagnosis of spinal and rheumatological conditions and have presented at national conferences.

Before this I worked as a spinal physiotherapy specialist in neurosurgery, from which I gained extensive experience assessing people with complex spinal presentations who had been referred from GP or musculoskeletal triage services, including those with symptoms consistent with cauda equina syndrome or myelopathy. The role included advanced assessment, working closely with other disciplines such as neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons, listing for spinal surgery, and presenting in neurosurgery clinics and multidisciplinary meetings.

A proportion of my current role is supervising specialist physiotherapists based in GP surgeries. I determine whether their standards of care align with good practice and national and local guidance, through regular workplace-based assessments and reviews of their documentation. I also ensure that clinical practice is within the scope of their role.

I also oversee physiotherapists based in musculoskeletal outpatient settings and GP surgeries, providing supervision and training. As a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, I assess neurological conditions, including those related to spinal cord injuries. However, I do not oversee the ongoing management of patients who are diagnosed with spinal cord injuries and who are wheelchair dependent. These are typically overseen by neurological physiotherapists.

Professional Development

I completed a Master’s degree in Advanced Manipulative Physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham in 2013. I went on to become a member of the MACP, a membership organisation of physiotherapists who have reached a recognised standard of excellence in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. From a research perspective, I received the MACP Student Research Award for a systematic review in injury prevention, which was subsequently published.

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