staff profiles
Darren Wigg (Clinical Lead)
Darren is our founder, director and clinical lead physiotherapist. He is a former international swimmer, representing Great Britain at the World and European Championships on numerous occasions. After retiring from sport Darren studied Physiotherapy at Northumbria University and graduated with a first class honours degree in 2005….
Gareth O’Loughlin (Senior Physiotherapist)
Gareth comes to us from New Zealand, where he completed his Physiotherapy degree in 2015. Following graduation Gareth worked in a private clinic in College Rifles sporting complex where he honed his sports injury knowledge and skills. In particular, Gareth’s expertise lies in Rugby physiotherapy; he has worked with a number of professional teams including the Auckland Blues, New Zealand Warriors, New Zealand Deaf rugby teams. He is also currently the Lead Physiotherapist for Newcastle Thunder Rugby Team…
David Fothergill (Clinical Specialist)
David holds a first class BSc honours degree in physiotherapy in addition to a BSc honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science, both gained from Northumbria University. Since graduating David has developed his knowledge and skills working in the NHS, private practice and the sporting environment….
Ann-Marie Ballantine (Clinical Specialist)
Ann-Marie graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Liverpool in 2009. Ann-Marie has over eight years specialised experience in the Musculoskeletal (MSK) aspect of Physiotherapy practice. She has an extensive range of experience including working in the NHS up to the level of a highly specialised Physiotherapist as well as in elite sport, including GB Basketball, GB Judo and Sunderland Football Academy. Her NHS experience also included working as part of the Northumbria NHS Occupational Health Physiotherapy service which equipped Ann-Marie with an advanced knowledge of ergonomic assessment.
Daniel Farnell (Clinical Specialist)
Daniel was inspired to become a physiotherapist after seeing the change in his Grandfather after his two strokes; helping the physiotherapists who were caring for him to bring him back to his usual care free self. While at school he worked at Hadrian School in Fenham helping with the rehabilitation of children with various special needs….
Steven Workman (Clinical Specialist)
Steven graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2009 with a BSc (Hons) degree in physiotherapy. He began his career at Chesterfield Royal Hospital where he worked for 3 years, completing his junior rotations in a variety of specialist areas, including musculoskeletal (GP and Consultant referral), Hands, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and he also spent time working in neurology and respiratory. He subsequently spent 4 years working as a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist based out of Sunderland Royal Hospital and working out of GP clinics….
Tal Yishay (Senior Physiotherapist)
Tal graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Haifa, Israel in 2016. Her wide experience specialises in a whole body holistic approach to rehabilitation. Tal’s philosophy brings together her understanding of posture, the body’s inter-connective tissue, lifestyle and emotional well being, to go beyond the injury and promote active health…
Fatma Elmahdi (Physiotherapist)
Fatma graduated with an MSc in Physiotherapy from Brunel University London in 2021 and a BSc. Kinesiology from the University of Calgary in 2018. She made the big move over from Canada to further pursue and excel in her physiotherapy career at Newcastle Physiotherapy. Fatma has always had a passion for helping people through various
Sonya Hudson (Behavioural Change Therapist)
For many years I have studied and researched the correlation between mind and body and how this affects us in our everyday lives. There is always something new to learn and I am constantly developing my skills. I have attended many development courses over the years, as I believe that to talk the talk you
Kelly Smith (Clinical Pilates)
Kelly is a Chartered Physiotherapist with a special interest in Clinical Pilates. She works from our Great Park Clinic on Saturday’s and holds pilates classes at St Aidens Church in Brunton Park on Monday evenings….
Rachel Zibe (Dietitian)
Rachel has a degree in Pharmacology and Physiology, a distinction in her Dietetics diploma and 11 years of varied experience in the NHS and private consultancy. More recently she qualified as a Sports Nutritionist after completing the International Olympic Committee’s diploma….
Claire Law (Practice Manager)
Claire is an integral part of our on-going success at Newcastle Physiotherapy. She has outstanding organisational and customer service skills, which creates a wonderful environment for our staff and clients. and graduated HND surface pattern from Batley school of art and design but continued to work within customer service industry while studying…
Chris Neale (Practice Manager, Jesmond Clinic)
Chris has a rounded experience in the hospitality and events industry which is strikingly evidenced by his outstanding customer care and efficiency as a Practice Manager at Newcastle Physiotherapy…
Debs Bone (Receptionist)
Debs thrives in her role as part-time receptionist at Newcastle Physiotherapy as she has a particular talent in making clients feel welcome and at home during their time with us…