Kate Bretherick
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, MHCPC, MATACP, MAFAP is a Senior Physiotherapist with 20 years’ experience working across the NHS and Private Sector. She is the lead aquatic physiotherapist at The Paddock Pool.
Kate holds a Masters level qualification in Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation from the University of Hertfordshire, graduating in 2012. She was the lead hydrotherapy physiotherapist at Bedford Hospital for thirteen years and has managed a wide range of patients’ rehabilitation. She has delivered the rehabilitation of sportsmen and women; amputees; recovery after orthopaedic surgeries; and the care of patients with long-term musculoskeletal and rheumatology conditions.
Kate is registered with the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP), the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP), The Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and the Association of Foot and Ankle Physiotherapists (AFAP). She has extensive experience of creating treatment plans for the most complex patient presentations. Kate is also a member of the ATACP committee.
“I really enjoy musculoskeletal rehabilitation and find that the pool accelerates the recovery process for patients. I am also passionate about hands on physiotherapy, and feel this can make a real difference to an individual’s recovery.”
Kate Bretherick, Lead Physiotherapist at The Paddock Pool
One of Kate’s many passions lies in Rheumatology conditions including Axial Spondyloarthropathies, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She is also interested in the management of Fibromyalgia. With many years of experience in rheumatology, Kate understands the importance of hydrotherapy and physical exercise in the patient’s management of their condition.
She also specialises in post-operative rehabilitation and gains a great sense of achievement by managing patients through the process, from early stages to full recovery.
"I absolutely recommend this place. Kate is truly inspirational and so encouraging, and I am sure I would not be where I am now without the therapy I received, along with the excellent (and very safe) facilities."
Pam – patient since August, 2020
Georgia Darnell
Georgia Darnell BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, MHCPC, MATACP, MBLRS has over 16 years of experience working in the NHS and the private sector specialising in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Musculoskeletal Therapy and Aquatic Therapy.
She has worked at Cambridge University Hospitals treating an array of Musculoskeletal conditions in a hydrotherapy setting. Georgia has completed the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) Accredited Foundation and Intermediate Programme sin Aquatic Therapy. She is a member of the ATACP.
Georgia’s passion for Aquatic Therapy developed after completing a 5-week placement as a student at The Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. This gave her an insight into the extensive benefits that exercising in water can provide, not only for acute conditions but how it can also provide suitable challenges in higher level rehabilitation.
Georgia has extensive experience in the management of Trauma and Orthopaedic conditions. These include acute and later stage rehabilitation of fractures, with a particular interest in complex lower limb fractures and limb reconstruction.
Aquatic Therapy can be of huge benefit as the water buoyancy reduces the load on the limb, allowing functional movements sooner after injury or surgery. The water can be used to assist increasing joint range initially and with higher level rehab the resistance and turbulence can be used to strengthen the muscles.
These principles can be applied to many other injuries and post surgical conditions. Georgia also has experience in treating clients following elective orthopaedic surgery.
For example; Total Joint Replacements, Hip Arthroscopy, Knee ligament repairs, Achilles tendon repairs and various shoulder surgeries.
Georgia is skilled in the treatment of conditions where pain limits the ability to move and exercise on land. Treating joints with osteoarthritis in the water can be hugely beneficial for strengthening the muscles surrounding a joint. Acute and persistent lower back pain can benefit from the buoyancy and warmth of the water which can assist in muscle relaxation, restoration of normal movement patterns and functional strengthening.
Louise Young
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, MHCPC, MPOGP, MAPPI, graduated from Manchester University in 2001 and has worked within the NHS and private sectors for 20 years. Louise has held various senior and manager positions as part of the physiotherapy teams at Bedford Hospital.
Louise is registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) and The Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC). Louise has recently completed a new aquatic therapy training programme as part of her continuous professional development.
Louise believes strongly in the power of exercise and movement to aid healing, and particularly enjoys treating the spine and pelvis, with a passion and determination to not only get people better but help them stay better. Louise is also trained in both Pilates and Acupuncture and treats all her clients holistically, recognising that the mind and body are always intimately in-twined.
Louise still marvels at the benefits of aquatic therapy having watched her own six year old son learn how to walk again through regular hydrotherapy sessions, after an acquired brain injury took away these skills.
Debbie Gibbings
Debbie Gibbings (BSc hons physiotherapy, BSc hons sports therapy) MCSP, HCPC, MATACP, MAFAP is a chartered physiotherapist and aquatic physiotherapist with over 12 years musculoskeletal experience. She first completed a degree in sports therapy which led her to working with both local and county level rugby clubs before returning to university to complete her degree in physiotherapy.
Debbie has extensive experience working with musculoskeletal injuries and has worked in a variety of settings including Bedford hospital, Oxford university hospitals, Milton Keynes hospital alongside working in private clinics and sports settings. Her NHS work has included the use of hydrotherapy to improve patient’s recovery alongside delivering land based physiotherapy treatments.
Debbie has completed the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) Accredited Foundation and Intermediate Programme in Aquatic Therapy. She is a member of the chartered society of physiotherapists, health and care professions council, ATACP and association of foot and ankle physiotherapists.
Her experience has included working with patients following trauma and orthopaedic surgeries, musculoskeletal conditions including sporting injuries and patients with rheumatological conditions. She enjoys working with patients of all abilities, from elderly care, supporting patients to maintain a level of independence right through to high level sporting athletes looking to return to their sport as quickly as possible.
She has a special interest in lower limb injuries, but enjoys working with patients suffering from all injuries and conditions, problem solving and delivering rehabilitation programmes to get the best from her patients. Being a water baby herself, she loves the benefits aquatic physiotherapy can offer to aid movement and build muscle strength. ‘