Natalie Heighway

Natalie has worked within the NHS as a physiotherapist for 10 years after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc First Class Honours in Physiotherapy. Natalie has spent her career so far at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, beginning with rotations and then progressing within MSK outpatients.

Around 5 years ago, Natalie and her colleague set up First Contact Physiotherapy within two North Shropshire GP practices. From this point the service has grown and is now offered within most Shropshire GP practices.

Natalie also works as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist for The Musculoskeletal Services Shropshire and Telford and spends her spare time doing sport such as water skiing, padel and netball. Natalie also has a Masters in Trauma and Orthopaedics through The University of Salford and has completed the FCP roadmap through The University of Central Lancaster before progressing to become a registered roadmap supervisor. She is currently completing her Advance Practice Portfolio with Coventry University.

Natalie’s role within the Training Hub as the FCP Facilitator is to continue to work to increase the FCP workforce in every GP practice and most importantly support the FCPs within Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin.

Natalie aims to act as an ambassador for the FCP role, provide advice and plan delivery of supervision and CPD for all FCPs in our service and support PCNs recruiting FCPs.

Natalie has set up STW FCP Forums, peer support network groups and networks throughout our local area and beyond with Higher Education Institutes and other training hubs throughout the country.

Going forward, Natalie will look at liaising with PCNs and system partners to grow the role and work with the future FCP workforce to improve the progression from Physiotherapist to First Contact Physiotherapist.