ESNEFT’s first-ever cohort of physiotherapy apprentices have completed their programme and received their Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
Sophie Bloomfield, Bryony McLeod-Brown, Bryony Farrow and Beth Fox completed their University of Essex course, combining study with hands‑on experience across the Trust.
Bryony Farrow works in critical care at Colchester Hospital. At Ipswich Hospital, Beth works in older people’s services, while Bryony Mcleod-Brown now works for Allied Health Professionals Suffolk, as does Sophie Bloomfield in an MSK outpatients clinic.
Nic Alexander, ESNEFT’s Allied Health Professionals (AHP) strategic workforce lead, said: “I have been exceptionally proud to watch our apprentices’ success throughout their programme.
“Their achievements are a testament to their dedication, alongside the support of their mentors, and demonstrates what can be achieved when a group of system partners come together, working across organisational boundaries.”
The apprenticeship was created through a Suffolk and North East Essex Physiotherapy Steering group, when a group of healthcare providers approached the university about delivering the programme.
Meet our apprentices
Beth Fox
Beth works as a physio in older people’s services at Ipswich Hospital.
It represents a full circle moment as she seemed destined to take on a role in that department.
Beth said: “When I was 18, I secured a job here, as a band 3 therapy assistant working on the wards – starting in care of the elderly, which is where I am now.
Beth Fox.
“I was an extra pair of hands but tried to absorb as much information as possible.
“I knew I wanted to be a physio, so I spent time with the physios and occupational therapists in our team, when I could.”
Beth was educated at Kesgrave High School and revealed what she thought about studying for an apprenticeship.
She said: “It is the way to go, more so because everything I did learn at university, I could then use at work.
“It was quite daunting but exciting on my first day as a qualified physio. I was doing everything I had done previously as an apprentice, but I didn’t have to get all my work counter signed.
“The team I work with were great when I qualified and have continued to support me and been there if I have needed any questions answering.”
Bryony Farrow
Critical care physiotherapist Bryony Farrow has a degree in biomedical science but didn’t hesitate when the chance to study as a physiotherapist came along.
Prior to COVID-19 she was working as a lab technician, but that all changed when the pandemic hit and she was made redundant.
Bryony Farrow..
Bryony said: “Luckily there was an opening for a physiotherapy assistant job, and I progressed to a band 4 therapy assistant before the apprenticeship came up.
“I was always interested in human biology and had friends who were physios and used to tell me about their jobs – I thought it would be interesting to go back to university.”
Living with her partner, stepchildren, dog and a house, going back into education was going to be different to the first time, when she had fewer responsibilities.
Bryony said: “The stress levels were similar in terms of learning, but when you are at university all your focus can go on your course, whereas your focus is shared when you have a family, house, are learning and you are trying to function as an adult.
“From a work point-of-view though the apprenticeship let me carry on getting paid and I was learning on the job and putting things into practise straight away.”
Bryony is currently working in critical care at Colchester Hospital.
She said: “It’s nice to be able to do my own research, my own learning and formulise my own clinical reasoning and discuss it, suggesting a change in treatments or offering an alternative approach to a patient’s case, based on my knowledge.
“If you can get the balance right (between learning and family life) it’s (apprenticeship) the best way of learning as you are still being financially supported and you can put into practise what you have learnt straight away.”
Sophie Bloomfield
Sophie is keen to add different strings to her bow as she contemplates her future as a full-time physiotherapist.
Sophie Bloomfield
“I am still quite open to things – I really enjoyed my placement on the critical care unit (at Colchester) and I would also like to work in neuro physio or hospice care, so I am keeping an open mind,” said Sophie who works in an MSK outpatients clinic with Allied Health Professionals Suffolk.
Sophie embraced going back to studying and experience gained on the apprenticeship helped her feel prepared to practice as a qualified physiotherapist.
She said: “I enjoy studying and being in a university or educational environment.
“You have challenging moments, but I learning new skills and expanding knowledge – I absolutely loved every second of it.
“To be able to work and study at the same time was a good opportunity as I guess it’s becoming less realistic for people to give up work and study full time.
“The more experience I gained, the more I was able to take to use at work immediately.
“By time I qualified I had already exposed to different situations, so I felt a lot more prepared. It did not feel like a huge transition, felt like taking the next step.”
So why did Sophie choose physiotherapy as a career?
“It’s the absolute joy of showing people that they can still independent, even if their life now looks different,” said Sophie.
“To be able to work with someone that has a life-changing illness or injuries, get to know them, and be able to show them a way of feeling a little more like themselves, is just a pleasure.”
Bryony Mcleod-Brown
Bryony believes studying for the apprenticeship helped her learn more than just the theoretical side of being a physio.
Bryony Mcleod-Brown
The former art student who decided to join the Ambulance service during COVID before moving into a community role, said: “The apprenticeship allowed me to continuously develop and refine my practical skills in a real clinical environment.
“Such things like patient communication, building rapport, teamwork, time management, and having a better overall awareness of how healthcare settings operate day to day.
“It also helped me become much more confident in my clinical reasoning, as I was constantly applying what I was learning in practice rather than just in theory.
“I’ve developed stronger prioritisation skills too, especially when balancing a full patient caseload alongside academic deadlines.
“It’s given me a role where I can combine communication, problem-solving, hands-on clinical work, and building relationships with patients.
Bryony also sited the placements she went on as an important part of her learning.
“I completed critical care respiratory, neuro outpatients, MSK outpatients, and a leadership placement within a hospital setting, which gave me a broad exposure to different areas of physiotherapy.
“I was quite nervous going into my MSK placement as it was completely out of my comfort zone. However, it ended up being a really valuable. On the other hand, I felt more comfortable in critical care because of my background in ambulance work.
“The experience I had from working alongside my studies helped develop my communication and people skills. I was used to dealing with patients in real clinical situations, so that aspect felt quite established for me.”
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