Joanne Herman
Physiotherapist
Professional MembershipContact Details:
HCPC No: PH
CSP Number:065316Tel: 0121 222 5342
Professional Qualification
July 2001 – BSc Hons in Physiotherapy 2.1.
Current Role
October 2014 – present
Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist in Private Practice.
In private practice I assess and treat a range of patients with complex case presentations. Whilst I work predominantly with clients with brain injuries, I have also provided specialist Physiotherapy to clients who have Cerebral Palsy and post Stroke. I am able to provide a comprehensive assessment, written recommendations, advice, specific task based training, complete risk assessments and provide written or photographic guidelines, as appropriate.
I value working as part of a specialist MDT, and understand the importance of providing comprehensive update reports, writing clear goals and providing concise and accurate feedback in telephone conferences and MDT meetings.
I am trained and experienced in complex postural assessment and am able to make recommendations regarding appropriate management and equipment.
I am experienced in hydrotherapy and have completed all the basic hydrotherapy courses, as well as Halliwick and Bad Ragaz. I gained several years of hands on experience in specialist Hydrotherapy for Neurological patients whilst working in the Specialist Rehabilitation Unit in Cardiff and have implemented those skills within the community setting amongst my private practice clients in the Midlands.
I am an accredited fitter of Saebo orthotics for upper limb rehabilitation.
Employment History
January 2014 –April 2016
B6 Specialist Physiotherapist Acute Stroke Unit at Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust.
I am currently employed 2 days per week on an NHS Acute stroke unit working predominantly with patients post stroke (CVA).
January 2007 – January 2014
Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist, Band 6, Specialist Neuro Rehabilitation Unit, Rookwood Hospital, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
As a Specialist Unitpatients were only admitted if they were identified as having highly complex therapy needs. Throughout my years there I gained experience in treating a variety of neurological conditions and presentations from low awareness states to ‘walking wounded’ with severe cognitive difficulties. I worked closely with other members of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) including Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and NeuroPsychology to assess and treat individuals with complex, communication, cognitive and behavioural difficulties. I value the importance of the IDT in the management of these complex clients and understand the necessity to work closely with other disciplines towards joint therapy goals.
I also developed highly skilled therapeutic handling and used a variety of specialist equipment on a daily basis. Some of the skills I gained are outlined below:
- Assessment and treatment of complex postures using the 24:7 approach – providing treatment, management guidelines and appropriate equipment, for example; versaform, Matchett, T-rolls etc. As well as sleep systems, including the Jenx DREAMA and Symmetrikit Symmetrisleep.
- Assessment and treatment of tone, using stretches, static splinting and positioning. Highlighting the indication for botulinum toxin injections or increase in antispasmodic medication and, consideration for intrathecal baclofen if required etc.
- Use of a variety of standing equipment, including Tilt Table, Standing hoist, Oswestry standing Frame, stand turners and the IPER.
- I worked closely with colleagues in Orthotics regarding the provision of splints and orthoses, including lycra splints, custom made and off the shelf orthoses. For rehabilitation purposes I also fabricated bespoke soft and scotch cast splints.
- I have an extensive experience of hydrotherapy techniques and have attended the Foundation Hydrotherapy course and further courses on Halliwick and Bad Ragaz treatment techniques I am confident in the use of hydrotherapy as a treatment modality and to re-educating patients post ABI and SCI to swim again.
- Provision of long term management programs including the training of support workers and families in physiotherapy techniques.
- Use of Functional electrical stimulation (FES) and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). Use of Odstock Pacer Foot drop stimulator and Cyclone FES Bike.
- Identifying the need for long term respiratory management and implementing programs as appropriate including the use of incentive spirometry, lung volume recruitment bags and cough assist machines.
The Specialist Neuro Rehab Team worked closely and at times interchangeably with our colleagues on the Spinal Injury Unit, providing cross cover in times of staff shortages and shared clinical knowledge regarding casting etc. I also completed two 9 month rotations on the Spinal Injury Unit one full and one part time, during my time I provided assessment and treatment to patients with complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries through all phases of their inpatient Rehabilitation. I have experience working with both tetra and paraplegics and helping them to return to living as independently as possible. This includes work on wheelchair skills from basic self propelling to outdoor skills such as back wheel balancing in order to mount and dismount curbs. Transfer skills from basic slide board to more complex split level, car and 180° transfers.
June 2003– January 2008
Specialist Neuro Rehabilitation Rotation, Band 6 Physiotherapist Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust
In this post I gained experience in the following specialties; Acute Neurology, Neuro Rehabilitation, Neuro Out Patients, Spinal Cord Injury, Neuro Psychiatry, CVA and Neuro Surgery.
September 2001 – June 2003 #
Junior Physiotherapist Royal Glamorgan Hospital Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS Trust
In this post I completed rotations in
- Acute medicine
- ITU and Surgery
- Regional Stroke Unit ,
- Acute Trauma and Orthopaedics
- Elderly Rehabilitation
- Paediatrics
Examples of Core Professional Education and Training
I regularly undertake written reflections on my practice and am an active participant in the in-service training rota in my NHS post, both providing and attending training.
Some of the training I have attended relevant to working in Neurorehabilitation:
November 2015Sabeo Study day Wrexham (I am an accredited Saebo fitter)
June 2015Neuro Rehab Conference and Exposition in Excel London
May 2015 Intermediate Life Support
November 2011Bad Ragaz Ring Method - Theory and Practice Alison Skinner, Heather Mailing, Mike Maynard
October 2011What's in a Cough? Cough Augmentation for neuromuscular conditions Michelle Chatwin, Ruth Kent
October 2009Foundation Techniques in Hydrotherapy Heather Mailing
July 2008The Halliwick Concept – Dina Cadogan
April 200824:7 Postural Management of the complex neurological patient
June 2005Basic Static Splinting one day workshop
Tutor - Alison Attenborough Clinical Product Specialist for Homecraft
November 2004Assessment and treatment of the Complex Neurological Patient
Tutor – Sue Edwards
April –June 2003Introduction to the Bobath Concept Modules I, II and III National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queens Square, London
Tutor - Ann Holland
The full list of the training I have attended and delivered can be provided on request.
Membership / Professional Activity
I am HCPC registered and a member of the CSP and ACPIN (Association of Chartered
Physiotherapists in Neurology).