Fellow’s Profile
Fellow’s Profile
Geriatric rehabilitation
Reducing the pressure of an ageing population on the NHS by improving rehabilitation services and low-cost aids
1973
South West
In 1978 I was one of seven foundation physiotherapists to establish Physiotherapists working with Older People – the group Agile still operates today. The then Director-General of the Fellowship was the guest speaker at the 21st dinner of Agile in the House of Lords.
My Fellowship topic was Care of Older People. Footwear was an issue identified during the Fellowship, and on my return this was developed and the work recognised in the Effective Health Journal in 1996, identifying savings for the NHS. A further 35 publications followed the Fellowship.
The value of international exchange and establishing links was explored. In 1999, I travelled to Japan and was successful in establishing an international group (IPTOP). I was elected as its first chair and held this role for eight years. As this group had no financial backing, fundraising was also essential.
In 2003 the group was recognised as a sub-group of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists, after which international conferences (some shared) were held in Dublin, Melbourne, Istanbul, Boston, Ankara, Vancouver, Amsterdam and Singapore. Currently over 20 countries are in IPTOP.
Olwen Finlay (CF 1973) notified us of an article 'A history of social housing' edited by Ian Elliott, which acknowledges Olwen's ideas from his Churchill Fellowship. Proceeds from the publication are in aid of the Northern Ireland Hospice Belfast and the Alice Leahy Trust in Dublin.
By Olwen Finlay, 2023
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Olwen Finlay (CF 1973) notified us of an article 'A history of social housing' edited by Ian Elliott, which acknowledges Olwen's ideas from his Churchill Fellowship. Proceeds from the publication are in aid of the Northern Ireland Hospice Belfast and the Alice Leahy Trust in Dublin.
By Olwen Finlay, 2023
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
