Therapists

Dr Dimitrios Sampanis

PhD MSc BSc Hons mACPIN mCSP mAACP mHCPC – Head of Physiotherapy Dimitrios has over 12 years’ experience working in rehabilitation both in public and private practices. Dimitrios trained in Athens, Greece and following an extensive practice in Neurological, Sports and Musculoskeletal clinics he continued his studies at the University of Birmingham achieving a MSc and a PhD in Stroke Rehabilitation and Advancing Practice. Dimitrios’s role at Ascot Rehabilitation is to offer in service training and enhance clinical skills of the rehabilitation team. Dimitrios’s special interests cover a broad field of neuro physiotherapy including Bobath concept, splinting, FES and acupuncture. His research interests enable publications on the upper limb rehabilitation post stroke and he is highly interested on fMRI techniques. Dimitrios has also done post-doctoral research at Oxford University related to neurological rehabilitation.

Sarah Sirilli

BPhysT – Neuro-physiotherapist Sarah graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy (BPhysT) from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 2006. She worked in a rural and a large teaching hospital in South Africa before emigrating to England in 2009. She has worked in various Physiotherapy roles in and around London and has always had a special interest in Neurological Rehabilitation. She has been a Physiotherapist at Ascot Rehab since November 2013.

Katie Collins

Neurophysiotherapist Katie graduated from the University of West England in 2006 and went on to work as a rotational Physiotherapist before specialising in neurological rehabilitation in 2008. She has worked across Surrey in acute hospitals, rehabilitation centres and in the community and currently treats neurological outpatients in south west Surrey. Katie has completed many post graduate courses to develop her skills further and has a keen interest in spasticity management and treatment of complex long term conditions.

Dr Sal Connolly

BSc (Hons) PhD DClinPsy – Head of Clinical and Neuropsychology Dr Sal Connolly graduated from UCL with an Honours degree in Psychology. She went on to obtain a PhD in the field of neuropsychology from Manchester University before completing her clinical doctoral training at Plymouth University. Sal has worked at nationally and internationally renowned centres throughout her career, both in rehabilitation and diagnostic services. She has held posts at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in central London and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney. Sal has set up and managed clinical rehabilitation programmes. She was head of clinical psychology at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability for four years before taking on the role of Professional Lead for Therapy. She maintains an honorary consultant post at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. Alongside her hospital career, Sal has been involved in training for many years, providing teaching to a number of universities, specialist training placements for students and trainees at various stages in their careers and also supervising MSc and PhD students. She has been an active member of the British Psychological Society, previously acting as a committee member for the Division of Neuropsychology for three years and currently as a committee member of the ethics committee. Sal also works as an expert witness in neuropsychology, providing reports and giving evidence in Court.

Eloise James

BSc in Occupational Therapy – Senior Neurological Occupational Therapist Eloise is a senior Neurological Occupational Therapist. She graduated in 1999 with a BSc in Occupational Therapy from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. She has over 14 years experience working in the field of neurological rehabilitation and has worked in many specialist hospitals in London. She was involved in developing and improving stroke services in North West London. She has specialist knowledge and skills in upper limb rehabilitation, cognitive and perceptual assessment and treatment and is experienced in complex case management.

Emma Gale

BA (Hons) Oxon PGDip Clinical Communication Studies MRCSLT – Joint head of Speech and Language Therapy After completing a degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University, Emma qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from City University, London, in 1990. She has 25 years’ experience working with adults with acquired brain injury, working across acute, post-acute and community settings. At the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, she developed her interest in cognitive communication disorder and aphasia, with a focus on community reintegration, within the context of their Transitional Rehabilitation Service, and she also managed services there specialising in neurobehavioural rehabilitation and Huntington’s Disease. She co-authored the PASWORD, a standardised assessment of single word auditory comprehension using yes/no responses, and has an interest in assessment in severe and complex neurodisability.

Sarah Haynes

Joint head of Speech and Language Therapy Sarah is a highly skilled speech and language therapist in the field of acquired brain injury and neuro-rehabilitation She has over 25 years’ clinical experience in the specialised assessment and rehabilitation of swallowing and communication disorders in complex brain injury including tracheostomy and assistive technology and has worked in the NHS and national organisations specialising in complex brain injury and rehabilitation. She has been a speech and language therapy manager for over 10 years and currently shares the post of Head of Speech and Language Therapy at Ascot Rehab with her colleague, Emma Gale. Sarah has a particular interest in dysphagia and is trained in the use of nasendoscopy for FEES and videofluoroscopy to assess and treat swallowing disorders. She believes strongly in the use of Facial Oral Tract Therapy which uses a ‘whole body’ approach to address a range of functional communication and swallowing needs and has published research on the effects of wheelchair positioning on swallowing function in severe brain injury. She has contributed to Royal College of Physicians’ Guidelines on oral feeding difficulties and Disorders of Consciousness and has presented widely at national conferences and clinical excellence networks on dysphagia and tracheostomy.

Marta Oliveira

Senior Neurological Occupational Therapist Marta Oliveira is a senior Neurological Occupational Therapist. She graduated in 2006 with a degree in Occupational Therapy from the Escola Superior de Tecnologias da Saude do Porto – Portugal. She completed her Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience in 2014 at the Algarve University. Marta Oliveira has written three publications, including ‘Facilitating increased efficiency in postural control, improves selective movement and acquisition of dexterity.’ This was published on the British Bobath Tutors Association. Marta Oliveira completed an advanced Bobath course this year, and hopes to continue increasing her knowledge in this concept. Marta Oliveira has ten years of experience working with complex neurological conditions, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and Multiple Sclerosis. Marta’s only concern is that her patients receive the best treatment that is available to them, and achieves fantastic outcomes for her patients.

Melissa Bauer

Accredited LSVT Loud Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Melissa completed her training at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia in 2010. After qualifying Melissa went on to work in a community team in Mildura, Victoria where she worked with both paediatric and adult population. She specialised in working with children with Autism and developmental delays and was responsible for starting a multi-disciplinary paediatric group program. In 2013 Melissa moved to England and worked in a variety of locum roles in hospitals and rehabilitation units across South East England including the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability, Putney. In 2014/2015 she worked at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, on the Acute Stroke Unit and it was during this time Melissa developed a strong interest in working in Neuro-rehabilitation. Melissa started working at Ascot Rehab in May 2016.

Helen Clayton

Physiotherapist Helen completed Bachelor’s degree in Biology (BSc) at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 2011. She went on to complete a pre-registration Masters degree in Physiotherapy (MSc) at Manchester Metropolitan University, graduating in 2014. Helen has worked within the NHS in hospitals in the south of England before coming to Ascot Rehab in September 2016. She has always had a special interest in Neurological Rehabilitation.

Giulio Palma

Bsc Physiotherapy, MCSP, Paediatric and Neurological Physiotherapist Giulio graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy in Italy and after a short spell working in the stroke unit in the national public health system, he moved to France. Here he worked at CMCR in Lyon as specialised paediatric physiotherapist in the neuro and spinal surgery department following babies and children with complex MSK and neuro disorders. In the past two years, Giulio has worked in various private, educational and NHS settings around the UK and London which have provided him with a range of experience and knowledge in the paediatric field, including cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries, neuromuscular conditions and various syndromes. He firmly believes that any child, no matter what their developmental challenges are, can make better use of their potential – physically, mentally and emotionally. By adopting a personalized and up to date holistic approach, Giulio has helped adult and young patients with both neurological and orthopaedic conditions. He emphasises the connection between mind and body control to facilitate the patients to become active and fully aware during their recovery. He is currently undertaking his MSc in Neurorehabilitation and Neuroscience at Brunel University and he is part of the therapy team at Wimpole Street centre in London.

Kerry Townsend

MSc OT, mR COT Neurological Occupational Therapist Kerry is an Occupational Therapist. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Cognitive Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) in 2011, then worked in an fMRI brain-imaging laboratory studying memory and attention in the aging population at Duke University. She moved to the UK in 2014 to complete a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (MSc pre-registration) at Sheffield Hallam University, qualifying in 2016. Her MSc primary-research-based dissertation was on the use of animal-assisted therapy within stroke rehabilitation. Kerry has always been interested in Neuro Rehabilitation. After working as an OT in an acute hospital within the NHS for 2 years, Kerry joined the Ascot Rehab team in June 2018 where she continues to expand her skills in neurological occupational therapy.

Emma Rodriguez-Noriega

Clinical Psychologist Emma completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s by Research in Neuroscience at University of Oviedo (Spain) between 1998 and 2005. As part of this training she worked at the Neuropsychology Service of the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (Oviedo, Spain) and the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire La Miletrie (Poitiers, France). She continued her training in Neuropsychology by completing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Neuropsychology in Children and Adults at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain) which included internships in several hospitals and community services. After being qualified as a Clinical Neuropsychologist in 2007, she worked at the research project Em-line Cognitive Rehabilitation program for Multiple Sclerosis patients at Hospital Dr. Trueta (Girona, Spain) where she did some clinical work at the Neurology and Neurosurgery Services as well. In March 2009, she started a position as Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Dementia Unit in the Hospital Universitari de la Vall d’Hebron (Barcelona), and in 2011 at the ACE Foundation (Barcelona, Spain); at the same time she completed a Postgraduate Degree in Fundaments of Design and Statistic by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. Emma validated the Health and Care Professional Council registration in 2012, and since she has worked in the UK as a Clinical Psychologist for the NHS, Queen Elizabeth Foundation and Priory Group.

Francesca Merlo

BSc Physiotherapy, MCSP, OMT, MSK and Neurogical Physiotherapist Francesca graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy in Florence (Italy) in 2012 and since then she attended several post degree courses to deepen her knowledge in different fields of Physiotherapy, as Bobath Method for neurological patient and Pelvic floor rehabilitation for women’s health. In 2017 Francesca got a Master’s Degree in Manual Therapy in University of Genova (Italy) to enhance her proficiency and effectiveness in neuro-musculoskeletal practice. After 6 years of experience in Italy, she decided to move to London. In Italy she had the opportunity to work in different environment such as public hospital and private clinics; this opportunity allowed her to work with a variety of conditions both chronic and acute. In the last 3 years she worked in acute neurological settings (such as stroke unite, coma and MS department) and in private clinic where she could improve manual therapy skills. For 2 years she also work in Fiorentina Women’s FC, increasing her experience in Sport therapy. She joined Ascot Rehab’ team in September 2018.

Martina De Falco

Sports and remedial Massage therapist/Rehabilitation Assistant Martina graduated with a Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy in Italy in 2011. After her degree, she volunteered in her hometown clinic, working with MSK patients and the local football team. Then, she started working for a private clinic, working mainly with MSK patients and elderly patients. She moved to the UK in 2014 and started to work as Sports and Remedial massage therapist. Due to her passion for sports, she decided to undertake a Master degree in Sports Therapy, which she obtained at London Metropolitan University in 2018. Her areas of expertise are: sports injuries with focus on football, muscle tension, chronic pain and posture related problems.

Martina Parisi

BSc Hons Physiotherapy, MCSP, Neurogical Physiotherapist Martina graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy in Rome (Italy) in 2015 and since then she attended several post degree courses in order to enhance her knowledge in different fields of physiotherapy, such Kabat Method for neurological patient and vascular/lymphatic rehabilitation, mainly for breast cancer in women. In the last 2 years she worked in a neuro rehabilitation hospital based in Rome, both in the inpatient and outpatient department. Therefore she had the opportunity to improve her manual therapy skills working especially with post stroke, MS and Parkinson diseases, as well with orthopaedic post surgery conditions. Successively she moved to London and after a short period working in the NHS, she joined Ascot Rehab team in May 2019.