King’s Mill physio Samantha is in line for a national health award for her work in helping hundreds of Ashfield women through pregnancy

Samantha Musson, Team Leader in the Women’s Health and Continence Physiotherapy service at Sherwood Forest Hospitals has beaten more than 1600 medics to be selected as a finalist for the Rising Star at the category at the 2015 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards.

Samantha, 39 said: “I am obviously pleased and quite proud about the nomination for myself and my team.

“The awards highlight individuals in health organisations who are innovative - making changes that are necessary not just for the change of it.

“I just think it shows that the things we are doing are making an impact and are being recognised.”

She said: “We treat pregnant women who have any body problems through the pregnancy, such as pelvic pain or a bad back, to get them back to their normal levels after their baby. We also give advice and emotional support which is just as important. It is an holistic approach which we finds works best.”

“Lots of physio is exercise based, the gynaecology and continence side is lots and lots of pelvic floor work.

“And we give advice on what to drink, how to look after your body, bladder and lifestyle advice. We run groups and give anti-natal classes and we have support groups for women who have had a Ceasarian section to have advice on what to do for their recovery,”

One pf Samantha’s patients, expectant mum Tori Draper 32 from Selston is pregnant with her second child.

She said: “Sam has been brilliant. I have a pre-existing hip condition which is exacerbated by pregnancy. It has left me almost completely immobile.

“In my first pregnancy she has helped me stay on my feet a lot more than I would have done. She gives me exercises and I have physical support bands and strapping and tape to relieve swelling.

“She visited me on the ward to give me advice on how to get over having a Cesarian and how to knit myself back together.

“Sam provides emotional support and help because it’s very difficult to be immobile when you’re pregnant. We also have strategies to help me look after my 13-month old baby son.”

Samantha’s entry highlighted her innovation and clever thinking, raising the profile of her therapy teams, improving access through social media, setting up an essential male continence service and always ensuring that patients’ wellbeing was central to her work.

Samantha spotted an opportunity to improve the hospital experience of pregnant and post-natal women in the Newark area.

Previously therapists covered both obstetrics and gynaecology at King’s Mill Hospital and only gynaecology at Newark Hospital.

Samantha said: “This meant that women would have to travel up to an hour for a physiotherapy appointment with the specialist team. I saw the opportunity to expand the service without impacting on waiting times at King’s Mill and trialled the idea for three months. Almost a year later the obstetric clinic at Newark Hospital is well established and our patients are getting equitable care.”

In the near future Samantha is hoping to set up a Facebook group for her patients.

The HSJ Awards will be held on 18 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and are the largest celebration of excellence in UK healthcare.