Physio gets patients back on their feet

Rockingham General Hospital physiotherapist Leanne Budd has been helping people with rehabilitation for more than 20 years and is one of thousands of practitioners who will be celebrated on World Physiotherapy Day tomorrow.

Ms Budd is part of the team that leads the RGH Balance Group for people who have fallen, or who are at risk of suffering a fall.

The group meets twice a week and caters to patients who are mostly more than 65-years-old.

“I always wanted to work in health and like the idea of getting people back on the road after trauma and illness,” Ms Budd said.

“I have watched the physiotherapy department here in Rockingham grow over the years — we started as a small group which did a bit of everything but now have more than 30 staff all specialising in different areas.

“We work with patients on their strength, especially in their legs and improve their balance so they can feel safe at home.”

Cooloongup resident Deidre Martinelli, 79, has been working with the physio team at RGH on and off for four years and said they had made a big difference in her life. “Over the years I have improved a lot,” she said.

“The exercises keep me strong and I am doing everything I can to keep my feet on the ground.

“I am lucky to have the support from the hospital as well as a wonderful husband.”

Ms Budd said physiotherapy was becoming more high profile and there were a number of different career pathways for practitioners.

“I think more and more we are seen as making a real difference,” she said.

“I love watching patients change from the first day when they struggle to walk and then to the last day when they walk out independently feeling confident.”