Dr Hilary Gunn

Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels including PhD supervision. I am particularly involved with teaching of neurology, but also have expertise in other areas of clinical practice, including elderly care and falls management. Alongside my teaching work I am actively involved in research, and completed my PhD in April 2015. My research areas relate to balance and falls, with a focus on people with neurological conditions. Within the programme I am also responsible for developing and support research activities

Qualifications

I gained my Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy from the Queen Elizabeth School of Physiotherapy, Birmingham in 1990. Following this I spent two years completing a rotational post where I gained clinical experience in a variety of settings covering the range of 'core' specialities in physiotherapy practice. My first senior post was specialising in medical respiratory care, including cardiac and respiratory rehabilitation programmes, as well as working with patients in the acute stages following stroke and other neurological problems.
Subsequently I moved onto other posts with a greater focus on rehabilitation of patients with neurological disability and multi-pathology associated with ageing. I spent time working in an in-patient neuro-rehabilitation unit, then moved into a post working as a core member of a multi-disciplinary community rehabilitaion team which specialised in the assessment and management of people with long term conditions (predominantly neurology) and complex needs. My last full time clinical post (2002-2005) was working as a locality lead physiotherapist, where I carried day-to day responsibility for the running of the physiotherapy service, as well as maintaining a clinical case load working with older clients, as both in-patients and in the community
I was appointed to teach on the Physiotherapy undergraduate degree in 2005, and have also been involved with programme admissions, placements and clinical research. I completed my MSc in Clinical Education, Peninsula Postgraduate Health Institute in 2007, and my PhD in Health Studies in 2015. Subsequently I have managed an HTA funded feasibility trial of the MS falls intervention that was developed through my PhD work and beyond. I now juggle my academic and research activities alongside maintaining a small input in the clinical world as time allows!

Professional membership

Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists 1990 - present

Health and Care Professions Council 1990- present

Association of Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology 1995 - present

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017)

Teaching interests

I enjoy being involved with the ongoing delivery and development of the pre-registration physiotherapy programmes and post grad Advanced professional practice modules. My academic work allows me to utilise a variety of teaching methods and approaches, and include a blend of the academic and practical work. I am also module lead for the School wide research dissertation module which blends my academic and research skills and knowledge to support and facilitate students and staff across six professional programmes.
I am closely involved with the teaching of the adult neurology and elderly care elements of the course at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. This includes relevant patho-physiology, anatomy, and related theory as well as ensuring that the management side of our work remains current and evidence based. The close links between this aspect of my work and my current research activity is extremely valuable in his context.

Staff serving as external examiners

• University of the West of England MSc Rehabilitation
• Royal College of Surgeons Ireland UMHS MSc in Neurological Rehabilitation
  

Research interests

• Accidental falls in people with Multiple Sclerosis
• Telerehabilitation
• Neurological Rehabilitation
• Frailty and falls in older people
  

Grants & contracts

Recent Grants

2020       Freeman J et al (HG co-applicant) Development and Evaluation of a Training Package to support the Remote Assessment and Management of People with Movement Impairment and Disability. UKRI/NIHR COVID-19 Rapid Response Initiative £219,700

2019       Dunks. B, Gunn. H (PI). Renaissance: A creative movement and strength programme targeting safe mobility and falls reduction in older people living in community housing associations. European Regional development fund innovations in healthy ageing project £6000

2017       Gunn. H (PI), Atkinson, S. Developing an interactive falls reporting smartphone application. University of Plymouth Institute of Health and Community. £2500

2016-2018   Freeman, J. (CI), Gunn, H., et al ‘Balance Right in Multiple Sclerosis (BRiMS): A guided self-management programme to reduce falls and improve quality of life, balance and mobility in people with Multiple Sclerosis’. NIHR (Health Technology Assessment Scheme) £367,110