The Clinicians

The Clinic now has 6 fully qualified clinicians who have a vast amount of experience in the field of orthotics, cranial remoulding therapy, rehabilitation, posture management and physiotherapy. This allows the clinic to effectively treat and manage a wide range of conditions.

The Clinicians

• Chris Drake (Orthotist): Orthotics & Expert Witness
• Jo Drake (Prosthetist/Orthotist): Plagiocephaly & CADCAM Design
• Saeed Hamid (Orthotist): Plagiocephaly/Orthotics
• Sam Walmsley (Prosthetist/Orthotist): Orthotics, Posture & Back Pain Management
• Catherine Williams (Physiotherapist): Plagiocephaly, Physiotherapy, Posture & Back Pain Management
• Rachel Whitmore (Orthotist): Plagiocephaly & Orthotics

All of our clinicians are fully qualified professionals and are registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). The Orthotists and Prosthetists are members of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO). The clinic's physiotherapist is a member of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). All our clinicians adhere to a strict code of conduct and ethics as laid down by their respective professional bodies and the HPC.

Chris Drake

Chris qualified as an orthotist in 1983. After originally working in the private sector he took up the post of Principal Orthotist at Queen Mary’s Hospital, London where he worked for almost 18 years developing the orthotic department. He has extensive experience in all aspects of orthotics is trained in Vabene Posture Therapy and also as an Orthotic Expert Witness.

Specialised Skills and Interests:

• Complex Foot & Ankle orthotics
• Adult and Paediatric Neuro rehabilitation
• Lower Limb Biomechanics
• Lower Limb Orthotics
• Orthotic Expert Witness (Bond Solon Trained)

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Joanne Drake

Jo qualified in 1998 with a degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Salford University. Since graduating she has practiced in the field of rehabilitation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore and Queen Mary’s Hospital, London. She has specialist skills in CADCAM and scanning technologies. She has undergone extensive training in the orthotic treatment of Plagiocephaly using cranial remoulding orthoses and works with Saeed to provide the clinic’s Cranial remoulding service. Jo is fully trained in Vabene posture Therapy.

Specialised Skills and Interests:

• Orthotic management of Plagiocephaly
• Posture Therapy
• CADCAM/Scanning Technology

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Saeed Hamid

Saeed qualified as an Orthotist in 1990. He was Senior Orthotist at Queen Mary's Hospital, London where he was involved in all aspects of Orthotic Management of Adults and Children. He has undergone training in the orthotic treatment of Plagiocephaly using cranial remoulding orthoses and work alongside Jo to provide the clinics Plagiocephaly Service.

Specialised Skills and Interests:

• Orthotic management of Plagiocephaly
• Diabetic and Orthopaedic Footwear
• Foot Orthotics

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Sam Walmsley

Sam qualified in 2001 with a degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Salford University. After graduating he took up a post as orthotist at Basingstoke NHS trust where he received post graduate training in paediatric orthotics. He later joined the team at Queen Mary’s Hospital, London and developed wider skills which included Adult and Paediatric Neuro rehabilitation and complex foot and ankle orthotics. He is also a fully qualified Vabene Posture therapist.

Specialised Skills and Interests:

• Complex Foot & Ankle orthotics
• Paediatric Orthotics
• Lower Limb Biomechanics
• Lower Limb Orthotics
• Posture Therapy

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Catherine Williams

Catherine qualified from Sheffield Hallum University, as a physiotherapist in 1995. She is registered with the Health Professions Council and is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists. She has completed extensive training in the USA in the Orthotic management of Plagiocephaly, and has focused in the last 2 1/2 years on the treatment of infants with Plagiocephaly and its commonly associated conditions.

Specialised Skills and Interests:

• Management of Plagiocephaly
• Management and treatment of Torticollis
• Repositioning Techniques
• Child Developmental Assessments
• Posture Therapy

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Rachel Whitmore

Rachel qualified as an Orthotist in 1989. She has vast experience in all types of orthotic management and has worked both in the private sector and the NHS which gives her a well balanced approach to her work and a full understanding of her client's needs. Prior to being appointed to run LOC's Plagiocephaly clinic in Ross-on-Wye, Rachel has worked in the field of Orthotic management of Positional Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly and Dolichocephaly for over 3 years.

Specialised Skills and Interests:

• Management of Plagiocephaly
• Knee Orthoses
• Paediatric Orthotics
• Lower Limb Biomechanics
• Lower Limb Orthotics

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