Physiotherapy leader Natalie Beswetherick OBE awarded Honorary Doctorate of Science

Natalie Beswetherick OBE, the current Chair of Gloucestershire Arthritis Trust, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by the University of Gloucestershire.

Natalie has had an extensive career as a physiotherapist in Gloucestershire and the South West, throughout which she has pioneered new developments, including the 'Physio Direct' telephone assessment and advice services, which earned her national recognition.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led a highly adaptive and resilient team who delivered responsive and rapid information and resources to physiotherapists to enable them to deliver frontline services to patients.

On receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University at the third of its six 2024 Graduation Ceremonies, Natalie said: "I was astounded then humbled in equal measure. I never thought my work would be recognised in this way!"

Natalie, alumnus of its predecessor, the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, has a close connection with the University, having been actively involved with the rollout of its BSc and MSc Physiotherapy programmes.

She volunteers her time to continue her support of these programmes and attended the first Physiotherapy Student Research Conference as a keynote speaker.

Natalie said: "I have loved the opportunity to be involved in the BSc and MSc programmes. It has given me the opportunity to share my passion with the future generation of physiotherapists."

Throughout her career, Natalie has taken on many different roles, including being the manager of Physiotherapy and Orthopaedic Services at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for 20 years.

She was the National Director of Practice and Development at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, of which she has been a member throughout her professional life. It was in this role that Natalie undertook critical work to modernise the physiotherapy profession, including updating the Code of Member' Professional Values and Behaviour in 2019, defining the vision for UK physiotherapy and revising the four pillars of UK physiotherapy practice.

Her contribution to physiotherapy extended into Europe, including as a member of two working groups of the European Region of World Physiotherapy for 22 years, where she helped develop the first Core Standards for Physiotherapy Practice.

A champion for continuous service improvement and innovation in service delivery for the population, Natalie said: "I was always curious as to why the practice of the profession felt locked in the past. I was driven to provide the best quality of service to the local population underpinned by emerging evidence, service improvement methodologies, listening to patients and being innovative."

Natalie offered the following advice to the University's students and graduates: "Always be curious and ask questions, if you have seen a better approach to a particular problem, ask if you can try this, especially if the usual approach has not been what the patient needed."

"Finally, only work for someone who says they will always have your back and want you to be better than they are!"

Picture: Natalie Beswetherick OBE is awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by the University of Gloucestershire.