Oxfordshire

Service Manager

Tony qualified from the University of Hertfordshire in 2011. He worked in Community rehabilitation until 2013 and completed rotations as part of Sutton and Merton community services. He began work in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting in 2015 and became a Senior Physiotherapist that year, before being TUPE’d to Connect Health in 2016. Tony had an interest in operational leadership and became a Team Lead for Merton in August 2018. In October 2019 he was seconded into a Service Manager post in the Croydon MSK Service. Since then he has managed the East Kent Rheumatology Service, South West Essex Service, Lincolnshire Pain Service and the Herts Valley MSK Service. He is now embarking on a new venture as Operational Manager with the Oxfordshire MSK Service.

Clinical Lead

Suraj Bafna qualified as a Physiotherapist from India in March 2014 with a first-class qualification. He started working as a Junior MSK Physiotherapist at QI Spine Clinic, Mumbai in April 2014 and worked his way up to be a Clinic Head in 2016. He was also a part of the QI training and research academy and worked on several projects of training, development and research, alongside seeing patients and managing the clinic during his two and a half years of working there.

He moved to the UK in December 2016 and started working as a Band 6 MSK Physiotherapist in London until April 2019, when he moved to Connect Health to work as a Team Lead Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist. As a Team Leader he works towards supporting his colleagues and uplifting them in every way possible. He started working as a Clinical Lead for Barking, Havering and Redbridge Service based in London since February 2022. He has now started working as a Clinical Lead for Oxfordshire Service and is looking forward to improving the general health of the residents of Oxfordshire.

He has a special interest in spine-related disorders and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. He is passionate about teaching and enjoys dancing to any music. He has been a folk dancer since childhood and continues his passion here in the UK too. He can communicate fluently in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi and Marwari.

Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

Rory previously worked in rotational posts in a large London NHS hospital before specialising in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. He is a firm believer that physiotherapy is about helping people understand and believe in the inherent strength of their bodies and supporting them to make positive behaviour changes that improve quality of life.

He is a keen sportsman and lover of outdoor activities from kite-surfing to golf.

Head of Clinical Delivery (South) / National Lead - MSK

Mike joined Connect Health in September 2018. He became part of the Clinical Leadership team for the Herts Valley Musculoskeletal (MSK) Services, having previously worked in the NHS as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner. He previously worked as a MSK Teaching Fellow on the Advanced Physiotherapy MSc programme at King’s College London, amongst other previous roles within the NHS, sports and academia.

Mike undertook his Developing Consultant Programme, through Connect Health, completing a 2.5 year training programme to become a Consultant Physiotherapist in 2022. He worked as the deputy head of MSK before moving into his current role. His clinical and research interests are based around the assessment and management of persistent and disabling low back pain and his passion is in integrating care, communities and people through personalised care.

Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader

Amy qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from the University of Southampton in 2006. She completed her ‘core’ physiotherapy rotations as a band 5 physiotherapist before specialising in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions as a band 6. She has worked within the NHS at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Imperial College NHS foundation trust in London, and with Oxford Health NHS foundation trust.

She has completed training in Pilates, advanced practice and is able to offer corticosteroid injections for peripheral joints as part of a treatment programme.

Alongside this she worked as a physiotherapist and pitch-side first aider at rugby clubs from grass roots level to National level. This taught Amy a lot about sports and how to manage sports injuries.
She also undertook training to become a Veterinary Physiotherapist and now focusses on treating horses when she is not working for Connect Health.

Amy’s personal interests include running, yoga, sailing and horse riding. She loves to be outside (even during the winter months!) and spending time with friends and family.

Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Lead

I studied a BSc in Physiotherapy at Kings College London, graduating in 2015 and continued to work in London in both the private and public sector. In the NHS, I worked as a senior MSK (Musculoskeletal) physiotherapist at University College London Hospital and then as a specialist MSK physiotherapist in private practice. I then progressed into working as a First Contact Physiotherapist in East London then Buckinghamshire when I moved out of London.

During this time I completed Master modules around First Contact Physio practice and in MSK Injection Therapy. I joined Connect Health in March 2023. I have an interest in Persistent Pain, Tendon pathologies and in high quality rehabilitation, especially for Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries. I additionally enjoy teaching and the research field

Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader

Isaac qualified as a physiotherapist from Brunel University in 2015. He started working in Hillingdon hospital through junior rotations before specialising in MSK as a senior. He also worked privately in a clinic for sports scholars at Brunel university recover from injury and return to high level sport.

He joined the Brent Connect Health team in 2019 as a team lead physiotherapist. This involved supervision, education and working with clinicians and assisting the service as a whole through leading audit and quality improvement projects. He was also the student coordinator for Brent where he worked with the national lead and local universities to create regular student placements. He has completed the developing advanced practitioner training through Connect Health in 2020/21 and became an Advanced MSK clinician in 2021. He set up and ran the complex rehabilitation clinics in Brent, helping patients who have complex barriers and goals with rehabilitation and exercise. Isaac joined the Oxfordshire service in 2023 as an Advanced MSK clinician team lead.

Outside of work, Isaac plays club level rugby, going to the gym and enjoys travelling to new countries at every opportunity.

Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader

Jennifer qualified as a Sports Therapist from The University of Hertfordshire in 2017 with a First Class honors degree.

Jennifer initially worked in sports teams, including the University’s Women’s Basketball Team, Bristol City Football Club Academy and Hertfordshire Mavericks Netball Super league Team, utilising her skills as a Sports Therapist, providing pitch side first aid and injury assessment and treatment.

She then went on to work in a number of different private physiotherapy clinics in Essex and Hertfordshire, where she started to develop an interest in management and leadership.

Jennifer began working for Connect Health in August 2022 as their first ever Sports Therapist in an Advanced MSK Clinician role. Since then she has developed into a team leader in the Oxfordshire service, where she enjoys mentoring and supporting her colleagues.

She is also a Champion for Sports Therapists at Connect Health and and Director of The Society of Sports Therapists

Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Lead

Liam studied at University of Nottingham, graduating in 2011 before working for a short period of time within the Colorectal Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, London as part of their Enhanced Recovery Programme.

Liam then returned home to Oxfordshire and completed his Junior Physiotherapist rotations locally within Oxford University Hospitals Trust, covering a variety of settings including MSK Outpatients, Trauma, Intensive care, Respiratory and Medical wards.

In 2015, Liam left the NHS for more varied experience. He spent 4 years working in a mixture of settings including: NHS Provider clinics, Private Clinics, Offender Health, St. Edward’s School (Oxford), and a variety of sports settings including Oxford University Women’s Rugby Club and event work within professional Motorsport.

Liam joined the Oxfordshire MSK Service in 2019 and has progressed from Band 6 MSK Physiotherapist to an Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Lead. He enjoys the variety that the role offers, and is passionate about the health and well-being of the local community.

Outside of work, Liam can more often than not be found at his local parkrun (Oxford Parkrun) on a Saturday morning, and has run with Kidlington Running Club for a number of years, including competing in events ranging from 5km-Ultra Marathon.

MSK Clinician and Team Leader

Adam is a graduate Sports Therapist, qualifying in 2014 from the University of Gloucestershire with a First Class honours Degree. Following graduation, he was awarded the Student Travelling Scholarship from the Society of Sports Therapists, spending 6 weeks at an elite Canadian Sports University.

When returning to the UK, he started working in semi professional and professional rugby with Hartpury RFC whilst also leading the rehabilitation of long term injuries like ACL reconstruction, shoulder dislocations and lower back injuries, of high level youth athletes at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire.

During that time, Adam developed group rehabilitation projects, facilitated the development of a new medical facility and has presented at conferences and across Universities in the UK about rehabilitation, exercise prescription and Sports Therapy profession. Adam has since gone on to complete the Go-To Physio Mentorship program, learning a new level of biomechanics and rehabilitation strategy and is currently working towards Advanced Practice status.

In 2022, Adam changed career and joined Connect Health as a Senior MSK Clinician, before quickly stepping up into a Team Leader role.

You’ll see Adam at his best, assessing with exercise, looking at the quality of your movement and working with your long term injuries and pain; always with a smile on his face!

Adam lives in Gloucestershire with his wife, Lucy, and enjoys eating out at restaurants, playing football and watching Formula 1 on the weekend.

MSK Clinician and Team Leader

Greetings! I am Marc Christian, a passionate healthcare professional with a diverse background and a commitment to enhancing musculoskeletal health. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of South Africa, I embarked on my professional journey in 2012, graduating with a solid foundation in the field.

My career has been a dynamic exploration, initially spanning across various professional sports, with a particular focus on football—a sport that ignited my interest and fueled my dedication to musculoskeletal well-being. Seeking new horizons and opportunities for growth, I made a pivotal move to the United Kingdom, where I delved into the realms of diagnostic ultrasound and injection therapy.

Over the past four years, I have been an integral part of community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, where my dedication to patient care and expertise in the field have flourished. For the past three years, I have proudly served as a First Contact Practitioner (FCP), playing a crucial role in providing accessible and efficient care to those in need.

Since June 2023, I have had the privilege of being a part of the esteemed Oxford service, where I currently hold the position of Team Lead. This role allows me to merge my wealth of experience with a leadership ethos, ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to our community.

My journey is a testament to the belief that every step taken in one’s professional trajectory contributes to a broader understanding of healthcare. I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, as I continue to make a positive impact on the musculoskeletal health landscape.

Join me on this exciting journey towards holistic healthcare and unparalleled patient experiences.

Advanced MSK Clinician and Team Leader

Kurt Austin-Archer completed his Physiotherapy undergraduate degree at Oxford Brookes University, graduating with a first-class Honors in 2013. He continued his professional development in Oxfordshire, undertaking various junior rotations for 18 months. He then joined the community therapy service as a band 6 senior physiotherapist, where he remained for five years. During this time, he pursued his academic interests, attending the University of Birmingham, and completing a Master’s degree in Health Research Methods within the faculty of public health, graduating at the end of 2020.

In early 2021, he transitioned to a role as First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) in a primary care network (PCN) located in Oxford. He actively participated in developing the FCP role and service by collaborating with clinical leads, GPs, and clinical directors. While working as an FCP, he had expanded his skillset by undertaking an injection therapy course as a post graduate qualification at the University of Essex.

He joined Connect Health in January 2023 as an advanced physiotherapy practitioner (APP). He finished the injection therapy course in April with the support of Connect Health, and graduated with distinction. He uses injection therapy as part of the APP role and recently took on the additional responsibility of APP team leader.

His main interests are in health research, systems thinking, and critical analysis, which he actively applies to research and development projects. He has a proven record of innovation, having developed a workflow capacity tool for a large service with 6 teams, consisting of 120 staff within Oxfordshire. His masters dissertation, titled ‘Physiotherapy-led self-efficacy strategies to promote physical activity: A systematic Review’, demonstrates an understanding and commitment to evidence-based practice.