Ellie is an experienced senior physiotherapist with nine years of clinical practice. She is skilled in managing highly complex neurological cases to support recovery after significant injury and help clients get back to as best health as possible after an accident.
Can you tell us about your background and what you were doing prior to joining HCML.
I worked in the NHS from 2012, starting my career in rotational physiotherapy roles across a range of hospitals. More recently, I spent nearly seven years at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where I specialised in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. During that time, I worked across both adult and paediatric services, including two and a half years as a specialist paediatric spinal cord injury physiotherapist.
It’s a highly specialised area, and one that gave me the opportunity to work closely with individuals and families over long periods of time, supporting them through life-changing injuries.
What led you to move into case management?
I wanted to continue using my clinical skills, but in a way that allowed me to support people more holistically.
Case management offers the opportunity to look beyond immediate clinical needs and focus on the bigger picture, ensuring clients can access the right rehabilitation, equipment and support to maximise their long-term outcomes. It is also giving me the opportunity to develop new skills and broaden my perspective, particularly around coordinating care and navigating systems outside of the traditional hospital setting.
What is your particular area of expertise?
Spinal cord injury is definitely my specialism. It’s a complex area that requires a deep understanding of rehabilitation, equipment provision and long-term management. I’ve worked with a wide range of causes, from traumatic injuries such as road traffic collisions to non-traumatic conditions, including illness and degenerative conditions.
What do you hope to achieve in your role as a case manager?
A key motivation for me is being able to help people access what they should have, not just what is immediately available. In my previous role, it could be incredibly frustrating knowing what a patient needed to achieve the best outcomes, but not always being able to secure it due to system constraints.
Case management provides an opportunity to advocate for clients more effectively, ensuring they receive the rehabilitation, equipment and support that will genuinely make a difference to their lives.
What skills do you think are most important in this role?
- Advocacy and determination, being willing to challenge decisions and push for the right outcomes
- Strong clinical reasoning, to justify recommendations clearly and effectively
- Adaptability, as every case is different and often complex
Being confident in your clinical judgement and not being afraid to question decisions is particularly important.
What attracted you to HCML?
From the outset, HCML stood out as a supportive and well-structured organisation. Everyone I met during the interview process was approachable and genuinely invested in creating a positive working environment. The training and induction were clearly thought through, and that support has continued since joining. It felt like a place where I could develop professionally, while being part of a collaborative and supportive team.
What has been a career highlight so far?
Working at the National Spinal Injuries Centre will always be a defining part of my career.
Supporting individuals through such significant, life-changing events and seeing the progress they make was incredibly rewarding. It’s a role where you can make a real difference every single day, and that’s something I’ll always value.
What inspired you to work in healthcare?
I come from a family of healthcare professionals, so it always felt like a natural path. From an early stage, I knew I wanted a career where I could help people in a meaningful way. Physiotherapy and now case management has given me the opportunity to do exactly that.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I spend as much time outdoors as possible. I enjoy walking, being in nature and spending time with my young family. Those moments are really important to me, and they also serve as a reminder of how valuable independence and everyday activities are, something that strongly influences how I approach my work with clients.