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About Me

Lady wearing glasses sitting over a book ready to edit with pen in her hand

Qualifying from University of Wales, College of Medicine over 2 decades ago, my passion for Neurotherapy and Neurosciences started early while at University, and after a few years of developing a foundation in all clinical areas, I specialised as a Neuro-physiotherapist.  I developed my skills working in roles across the clinical pathways from community through to major neurosurgical trauma while also achieving an MSc in Neurorehabilitation with a research distinction.  

 

As my career developed so did my leadership roles and desire to be an authentic and nuturing leader led me to complete PGC in healthcare leadership in conjunction with NHS Leadership academy.  I have been very fortunate to work alongside and support the profssional development of many health professionals in my leadership roles inlcuding Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians and Nurses.  â€‹

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I have always believed in the importance of integrating evidence and research into clinical practice, and that the best way to support this integration is through sharing of professional practice, collaboration with other professionals and utilising strong metholodgy within clinical service developments and disseminating learning.  This has led me to publish and present at conferences as well as supporting others with this.  

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A love of teaching and nurturing the development of others led me to then move into academia working as a lecturer with empahsis on Neurotherapy, Neuro-anatomy, and leadership and service development.  With a distiniction in higher education learning and teaching PGC, this work enables the creative side of me to be unleashed utilising evidence based methods, as well as background in Neurosciences to provide supportive and inclusive learning material.  

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I now what to bring these two experience areas together, education and clinical specialism to support and nuture neurotherapists with accessible continuing professional development as well as nuturing individualised support.  â€‹â€‹

Education

BSc Physiotherapy
University of Wales,
College of Medicine

Completed 2003

Undergraduate degree covering anatomy and physiology, pathology, biomechanics, manual techniques and clinical sciences with emphasis on evidence based practice.  Clincial placements across mulitple areas as well as research project.

MSc Neurorehabilitation
Brunel University

Completed 2012

Advanced understanding of neurosciences underpinning neurorehabilitation as well as research methods.  Distertation was investigative study into Mirror therapy for severely paretic upper limb in acute stroke patients.

PGCert in Healthcare Leadership
University of Birmingham

Completed 2019

As part of the NHS Elizabeth Garreet Anderson Leadership programme with emphasis on developing self awareness, patient safety and clinical improvement.  

PGCert in Learning and Teaching Higher Education
Winchester University

Completed 2022 

Covered learning paradigms relating to higher education provision and application into practice, as well as online education provision. Achieved HEE teaching fellowship following completion

Research Profile

Lead Researcher

Barts Health Neurosciences Service

“Impact of intensive hyper-acute neurological rehabilitation on patient and service-related outcomes”

Evaluator

Bart's Health MND Care Centre

BENEFIT-ALS (Blinded Evaluation of Neuromuscular Effects and Functional Improvement with Tirasemtiv in ALS)

Lead Researcher

MSc Research

Mirror Box Therapy for the treatment of the severely paretic upper limb in acute stroke patients – an exploratory single subject experimental design.’

Principal Investigator

Royal Bournemouth

Hospital

AVERT (A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial)

Louise Stanley, Karen Evans, Karen Chapman, Philippa Beaumont, Holly Royale, Kelly Saunders (2022) ‘Optimising placement preparation using peer assisted simulated learning for 2nd and 3rd year physiotherapy students’ Human Patient Simulation Network UK and Ireland

 

Saunders K. Stewart S. Gregory K. (2019) ‘Impact of intensive hyper-acute neurological rehabilitation’ CSP Innovations Database Available at URL: https://innovations.csp.org.uk/innovation/impact-intensive-hyper-acute-neurological-rehabilitation

 

Holman T. Donohoe T. Jeffrey N. Scott N. Saunders K. Stewart S. Jones F. Baird T. (2013) ‘Collaborative approach to using the Disorders of Consciousness Scale from a therapist and carers’ perspectives in acute stroke services’. International Journal of Stroke, 8 (suppl. 3); pp 48

 

Saunders K. Cassidy E. (2012). ‘Mirror Box Therapy for the treatment of the severely paretic upper limb in acute stroke patients – an exploratory single subject experimental design.’ International Journal of Stroke, 7 (suppl. 2); pp. 21

 

Saunders K. Lesiw T. Lockwood D. (2011) ‘Achievement of Therapy Quality Standards – development of ANTS Database’ International Journal of Stroke, 6 (suppl. 2); pp. 37

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March 2019: Guest Speaker

“Impact of intensive hyper-acute neurological rehabilitation on patient and service-related outcomes"

ACPIN East Anglia Study Day

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October 2018: Rapid presentation and Poster presentation

“Impact of intensive hyper-acute neurological rehabilitation on patient and service-related outcomes”

Physiotherapy UK Conference

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September 2013: Guest Speaker

 “Mirror Box Therapy for the treatment of the severely paretic upper limb in acute stroke patients – an exploratory single subject experimental design.“

COT SS Neurological Practice Conference

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December 2012: Poster Presentation

“Mirror Box Therapy for the treatment of the severely paretic upper limb in acute stroke patients – an exploratory single subject experimental design.”

UK Stroke Conference

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December 2011: Poster Presentation

“Achievement of Therapy Quality Standards –development of ANTS Database“

UK Stroke Conference​​

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