Paralympic hero helps launch new London physiotherapy department
Sarah Storey OBE, the multiple Paralympic Gold medallist, this week returned to east London to help launch BMI The London Independent Hospital’s new physiotherapy department. The new unit, located at the Stepney Green hospital, offers treatments and dedicated facilities for patients across a wide range of specialties and is supported by a team of specialist senior physiotherapists.
At the launch event Sarah Storey was joined by children from the local east London community and The London Independent Hospital’s Dr Nick Webborn, a Consultant Sports Physician, who was the Chief Medical Officer for the 2012 GB Paralympic team. Sarah, a former swimmer who triumphed in cycling at this year’s London 2012 Paralympic Games, has a Paralympic career spanning 20 years with 11 gold medals, 8 silver and 3 Paralympic bronze medals.
During the launch Sarah and Dr Webborn spoke to the children on the importance of exercise and following and achieving their dreams. Sarah commented, “As this amazing year ends the spotlight is being taken off the Paralympic and Olympic athletes and being put on schools and children across the country. It is important we do nurture the future sporting talent to compete on the national stage but sport and fitness is also vitally important in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Hopefully every one of you will have been inspired by the events right on your doorstep, and become more active. For those of you looking to the future Olympic or Paralympic games my advice would be give 100% in everything you do, follow your dreams and you won’t go too far wrong.”
The physiotherapy department at BMI The London Independent Hospital offers specialist treatment in the field of sports rehabilitation as well as orthopaedic assessment, spinal care, pain management, respiratory and cardiovascular care and pre and post-operative care for patients. The unit also has a large open plan gym and five private treatment rooms. Speaking at the launch event Dr Webborn commented on the importance of exercise and how to avoid injury during sports, “Participation in any sport, teaches children to stretch their limits and learn sportsmanship and discipline. But any sport also carries the potential for injury. By knowing the causes of sports injuries and how to prevent them, you can help make athletics a positive experience for your child. It is important to ensure they are using the proper protective equipment, the surface or playing field is well maintained and appropriate to the sport being played, there is an adequate level of adult supervision and that the proper preparation with training and warm up sessions are adhered to. The most important thing is to give things a try. There will always be minor injuries but the benefits of exercise and sports by far out way the risks.”
The physiotherapy team are all registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health and Care Professions Council. Their specialism allow them to work alongside the hospital’s multidisciplinary teams covering the care of its patients in the field of orthopaedics, cardiology, sports medicine, spinal and bariatric surgery.
Speaking on the launch of the new unit Executive Director of BMI The London Independent Hospital, Kirsty Baker stated: “The whole team at The London Independent Hospital is committed to providing the best possible care to our patients and the opening of this new facility will help to ensure that our patients have access to the highest standards of acute medical care and physiotherapy under one roof. This investment in the new physiotherapy department will allow us to maintain the highest possible range of care to people of all ages in the local community and we would like to extend our thanks to Sarah Storey, Dr Webborn and the children, teachers and parents who helped make this launch such a success."
For more information, visit bmihealthcare.co.uk/physio.
