Emma works with the IPOPS (Integrated Physiotherapy Orthopaedic and Pain Service) based at the Samuel Johnson Hospital in Lichfield.
She set up the OASIS programme which offers people with osteoarthritis a six week programme of managed exercise and education which improves patients’ pain, functional strength and quality of life.
The Annual Chief Allied Health Professions Officer’s Awards provide a unique opportunity for AHPs, nominated by their peers or themselves, to receive recognition for their personal contributions to exceptional care delivery and development. The awards also promote adoption and dissemination of good practice and give teams the chance to review their work and look at the impact they have made to services.
Emma and the OASIS team have been shortlisted in the NICE into Action Category which rewards initiatives which are based on guidance issued by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. There were over 200 nominations this year with 3 shortlisted for this category.
Rachel McKeown, Director of Allied Health Professionals at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said “We are delighted Emma and the team have been recognised for their work in developing this excellent initiative. Osteoarthritis problems already cost £250 million per year and have the potential to be a time-bomb for the health economy with an aging population that wants to remain active. The OASIS programme helps improve strength and fitness and enables people to learn skills to manage their condition. The programme has been shown to be both high quality and effective, and cost efficient and one that is really empowering people to improve their care and wellbeing”.