Catherine Barrett
Lecturer in Physiotherapy
School of Health and Wellbeing
Department of Allied Health
email: catherine.barrett2@worc.ac.uk
Catherine qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1998 from the University of Manchester and quickly discovered her passion for neurology. After two years in a junior rotational post at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, she specialised in neurological physiotherapy, gaining experience in neurosurgery, neurosciences, acute stroke and head‑injury rehabilitation.
In 2003 she joined the National Clinical FES Centre at Salisbury Hospital, working both clinically and on research projects exploring the use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for people with Multiple Sclerosis. She also helped to run courses training healthcare professionals to use FES in the UK and abroad, which sparked her interest in teaching. Whilst working here she completed an MSc in Neurological Rehabilitation at University College London in 2007.
Catherine became a lecturer at Bournemouth University in 2007, where she completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education Practice. In 2011 she returned to clinical practice, working in community learning disability services, integrated care teams and stroke rehabilitation. From 2018 she worked as a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in community neurological rehabilitation in North Worcestershire.
In 2022, the opportunity to return to working in education at UW came along, and Catherine has enjoyed using her clinical experience to support learners ever since.
Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy (1998) (University of Manchester)
MSc Advanced Neurological Physiotherapy (2006) (University College London)
Post Graduate Certificate in Education Practice (2009) (Bournemouth University)
Teaching Interests
In 2026/27, Catherine will be delivering the neurological physiotherapy content to the pre-reg MSc physiotherapy programme and the Year 1 BSc physiotherapy programme.
Module lead for Teamwork in Professional Practice, a multidisciplinary module for Year 2 BSc Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Nutrition and Dietetics.
Lead for Assistant Practitioner Apprentice Physiotherapy pathway module (Principles of Physiotherapy).
Catherine is the admissions tutor for the BSc physiotherapy course.
Publications
Publications
Barrett CL, Mann GE and Taylor PN. 2009. A randomised trial to investigate the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation on the mobility of people with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis. 15; 493
Esnough J, Taylor P, Mann G and Barrett C., 2010. Impact on activities of daily living using a functional electrical stimulation device to improve dropped foot in people with multiple sclerosis, measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Multiple Sclerosis. (published online July 2010.)
Jolley CL and Taylor PN., 2010. The effects of the Odstock Drop Foot Stimulator on quality of life and objective parameters of walking for people with stroke and Multiple Sclerosis? Neuromodulation. 13; (1)
MSc dissertation
Jolley, CL. A Randomised Study to Investigate the Effect of FES and Physiotherapy on the Quality of Walking of People with Multiple Sclerosis. September 2006. University College London.
Poster Presentations
Jolley CL and Taylor PN. What are the effects of the Odstock Drop Foot Stimulator on quality of life and objective parameters of walking for people with stroke and Multiple Sclerosis? Physiotherapy Research Society. March 2007. Cardiff, Wales.
Mann GE, Jolley CL and Taylor PN. An Investigation into the effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation on the mobility and quality of life in patients with Multiple sclerosis, preliminary results. 9th Annual Conference of the International FES Society (IFESS). September 2004, Bournemouth, UK.
Platform Presentations
Jolley CL, Mann GE and Taylor PN. An Investigation into the effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation on the mobility and quality of life in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Trust Annual Conference, 2005. Harrogate, UK.
Jolley CL, Taylor PN. Clinical applications of the Odstock Drop Foot Stimulator for people with Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust Annual Conference. September 2007. Leeds, UK.
Barrett CL. An overview of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Stroke. AGILE National Conference. October 2008, Reading.
Membership of Professional Bodies
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
Association of Physiotherapists in Neurology (ACPIN)
Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Physio First