Each month JustPhysio would like to recognise one of our locums for their personal achievement and commitment to the Physiotherapy Service!

Name: Samantha

Profession: Respiratory Physiotherapist

Where are you from? Essex

Current Locum position? Band 6 Physiotherapist Acute Medicine.

Personal achievements within the role?
I would say that encouraging the team to enjoy their working day and celebrate their achievements with patients, despite the pressures of an incredibly busy hospital is my greatest achievement. Also, being able to mentor some really great band 5s to fulfil their potential within a respiratory role.

What do you enjoy about being a locum?
That I can provide new energy and outlooks to teams. Physiotherapy is constantly changing so being flexible and gathering ideas from different places makes me a more effective clinician.

Most memorable moment within your career?
I have two! Clinically, being chased by a patient down the corridor of a hospital one day! This is significant because this particular gentleman had suffered with Guillain-barre Syndrome and was ventilated via tracheostomy for months. I was his Physiotherapist and took him through the respiratory wean to his first steps. A year later he came to visit the hospital to tell me he could walk three miles and to thank me for all of the support – which he chose to do by demonstrating he could run after me. It was a very happy moment!
Secondly, non-clinical – working within the acute medicine setting I have been lucky enough to make some great, long lasting friends which make working in healthcare all the more worthwhile.

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 items would you take?
1.) As much peanut butter as could physically carry!
2.) My Kindle (plus charger – assuming this is a sophisticated desert island within which has an electricity point, failing that a small library).
3.) My dive gear – with all that water, may as well see who lives there!