A dedicated Somerset physiotherapist is making a significant impact on the future of neonatal care by securing a coveted position on a leading national health committee.
Hayley Harrison, a valued member of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed to the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists’ (APCP) Neonatal Committee. This influential panel plays a key role in developing national policies and setting quality standards for neonatal physiotherapy across the UK.
With ten years of NHS experience, Hayley began her career in adult physiotherapy at Musgrove Park Hospital before specialising in paediatrics in Bristol. She returned to Somerset five years ago to focus specifically on neonatal care. Her current role spans the neonatal and children’s units at Musgrove Park Hospital, where she treats patients from birth to 18 years old. In addition, she leads neonatal follow-up clinics and specialist physiotherapy groups.
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Reflecting on her appointment, Hayley shared, “I applied to join the neonatal committee, and my application was reviewed by current members before I was shortlisted. Finding out I had been selected five months later was a tremendous honour.”
She explained her motivation: “I wanted to deepen my understanding of the national policies shaping neonatal services. Alongside my clinical work, I aim to expand my knowledge and involvement in education. I’ve contributed to proofreading documents for NHS England in the past, so continuing that work with the committee was an exciting opportunity.”
Hayley added, “The feedback from the panel was overwhelmingly positive, and I feel privileged to serve on this expert committee.”
Currently, the committee is focused on producing quality improvement documents. Hayley is particularly involved in areas related to patient follow-ups and exploring ways to enhance neonatal care beyond just physiotherapy.
“We recently had a working weekend, and the collective expertise on the committee is truly impressive,” she said. “Working alongside such skilled professionals is inspiring, and I’m eager to see where this role leads.”
The APCP Neonatal Committee is one of several specialist UK panels dedicated to paediatric physiotherapy. It supports the development of clinical guidelines and regularly reviews national documents to improve care standards for young patients.