The People
Paul Hattam (MSc MCSP FSOM)
Chartered Physiotherapist
Director
Paul graduated from King’s College Hospital in 1986 and began to develop his career on two fronts. Paul decided to focus on using his skills to help people recover from injury but also to develop his interest in teaching. He embarked on extensive post-graduate training and this eventually qualified him to become a tutor with The Society of Orthopaedic Medicine. Since then he has taught extensively across the UK as well as taking the opportunity to lecture in Spain, Italy and the USA. Over the past 2 years he has particularly enjoyed developing the course programme in Italy, running modules in Milan and Rome with the prospect of further programmes planned for Padova in 2007/8.
Paul worked for many years in the NHS and was one of the first physiotherapists in the UK to be appointed as an ‘Extended Scope Physiotherapist’ in 1996. During this time he was instrumental in establishing the Orthopaedic Screening Service in Sheffield and demonstrated its success in reducing waiting times for patients in a paper published in 1999. At the same time he successfully completed the Diploma in Injection Therapy allowing him to expand his skills to include injection treatment.
He has been involved in research projects (UK BEAM and WorkCare) as well as conducting his own study as part of his MSc; the results of which were published in 2004. He continues to teach locally and further afield and also co-leads the national training course for physiotherapists in Injection Therapy. Paul has sat on the Education Committee for the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine for the past 4 years and was elected as a Trustee for the organisation in 2007.
Paul has enjoyed developing the practice over the past 13 years but the last 2 have been the most exciting and rewarding by far. “We now have a great team of people who are all keen to provide the best possible service” says Paul. “It really is good to have such an accomplished group of clinicians on board who are great fun to have around too!”
Despite his varied schedule, Paul considers his clinical work to be of utmost importance. “I feel that balancing my clinical work, teaching commitments and responding to the demands of a developing practice is an ideal way of staying on top. I get to extend my skill base by regularly mixing with physiotherapists and doctors – it is always stimulating to work alongside other clinicians – and I think that the days away from the practice ensure that I stay up to date and invigorated.”
Paul spends as much time as he can with his wife Alison and their 3 children. Cycling and walking in Derbyshire are both family favourites and they all really enjoy being involved at St Thomas’ Church. Paul can be seen ploughing up and down the pool at the local gym on a regular basis and has been known to jump out of the odd aeroplane in order to raise money for charity!