Teesside Centre Of Health and Performance

09/09/2026

08/09/2026

ONE OF MY FINAL NHS WORKING DAYS.

That still feels strange to write.

For the last few years, my life has been split between two worlds.

During the day the NHS.

Then evenings, weekends and whatever hours I could find, building Teesside Centre of Health & Performance.

It’s been tiring at times, but I wouldn’t change it.

The NHS has played a massive part in shaping me as a physiotherapist.

It’s given me experience, opportunities and lessons that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my career.

But this week marks the end of that chapter.

On Friday, I finish my final NHS shift.

Then from Monday, my full focus goes into TCHP.

More time to treat patients.

More time to develop our specialist rehabilitation services.

More time to support the team.

And more time to build the clinic I’ve spent years working towards.

There’s a lot I want to share this week about what the NHS has taught me, why I’ve made the decision to leave, and what comes next.

6 DAYS UNTIL FULL-TIME TCHP.

07/09/2026

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, EVERYTHING CHANGES. 🚀

For the last few years, I’ve balanced working in the NHS with building TCHP around it.

That has meant early mornings, evenings, weekends and plenty of long days but I’ve always believed in what we could build here.

From Monday 14 September, TCHP becomes my full-time focus.

And for me, this move isn’t simply about leaving one job.

It’s about what comes next.

More availability for patients.

More specialist physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

More development of our **ACL & Lower Limb Service**.

More time to invest in the brilliant clinicians and coaches around me.

Continued growth of our **Elderly Care & Community Physiotherapy Service**.

And the launch of our new **Cancer Prehabilitation & Rehabilitation Service** — something I’m incredibly passionate about developing for people across our area.

TCHP has grown enormously from where it started, but I genuinely feel like we’re only just getting going.

One more week. Then it’s all in.

September appointments are available now.

📩 Message ASSESSMENT and we’ll help you find the right appointment.

📍 Teesside Centre of Health & Performance

06/09/2026

WHO IS CANCER PREHABILITATION & REHABILITATION FOR?

Cancer rehabilitation doesn't only begin when cancer treatment finishes.

Support may be appropriate at different stages of somebody's journey.

BEFORE TREATMENT

Preparing physically for what lies ahead.

DURING TREATMENT

Supporting strength, fitness, function and activity where appropriate.

AFTER TREATMENT

Rebuilding physical capacity, confidence and independence.

And you don't need to be somebody who already exercises regularly.

Your starting point is simply where you are now.

Every programme is individualised around the person, their treatment, symptoms, medical guidance and goals.

Our service works alongside — rather than replacing — oncology teams, medical treatment and existing NHS care.

If you'd like to speak to us privately about whether Cancer Prehabilitation or Rehabilitation at TCHP could be appropriate for you or somebody close to you, message: CANCER SUPPORT

06/09/2026

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

EBONY DUFFY
🇹🇷 TURKEY U19 CALL-UP

MAIDEN INTERNATIONAL CALL-UP

A huge congratulations to Ebony Duffy on receiving her first call-up to the Turkey U19 squad.

Ebony will join the squad for a week-long international training camp, an exciting opportunity to train and develop within the national-team environment.

The camp comes ahead of the next competitive fixtures in December, when World Cup qualifying gets underway.

PROUD TO PLAY A PART IN THE JOURNEY.

GOOD LUCK, EBONY! 🇹🇷⚽

05/09/2026

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT YOUR FIRST CANCER PREHAB APPOINTMENT?

One thing it isn’t:

Walking through the door and immediately being given a generic exercise programme.

Your first appointment is about understanding you.

We’ll discuss your cancer journey, current or planned treatment, symptoms, previous activity levels, physical function and personal goals.

Where appropriate, we can then assess areas such as:

Strength

Movement and mobility

Functional capacity

Cardiovascular fitness

Balance

Confidence with physical activity

That gives us a baseline from which we can build an appropriate plan.

For one person that programme may focus heavily on strength.

For another it might initially involve improving fitness, mobility or everyday function.

There is no standard cancer prehab programme.

The programme needs to fit the person.

To enquire confidentially about an initial assessment, message:

CANCER SUPPORT

04/09/2026

MYTH: “I need to wait until my cancer treatment is finished before I exercise.”

Not necessarily.

For many people, appropriately prescribed exercise and physical activity can be considered before and during treatment.

But there is an important distinction between:

“Exercise is helpful.”

and

“Everybody should do the same exercise programme.”

They shouldn’t.

Treatment, symptoms, fatigue, physical function, previous exercise experience and medical advice all matter.

Some sessions may involve strength training.

Some may involve cardiovascular exercise.

Some days the right approach might simply be walking or gentle movement.

And there will also be times when rest or modification is appropriate.

Individualisation matters.

Have a question about cancer, exercise or rehabilitation?

Drop it into our Story question box or send us a confidential message.

03/09/2026

Last week I delivered my final NHS cancer prehabilitation session.

This is probably the most personal post I’ll share during the launch of our new service.

Cancer prehabilitation is an area I’ve become incredibly passionate about.

I’ve had the privilege of supporting people going through incredibly difficult periods of their lives and seeing what appropriate exercise, rehabilitation, education and encouragement can achieve.

What makes leaving particularly difficult is knowing that the physiotherapy provision I have been delivering is not currently expected to be replaced for a number of months.

I find that deeply frustrating.

Not because the service needs to be mine.

Because patients deserve access to rehabilitation.

People going through cancer treatment can lose strength, fitness, physical function and confidence incredibly quickly.

Rehabilitation shouldn’t simply become something we think about once everything else has finished.

That has been one of the biggest motivations behind creating Cancer Prehabilitation & Rehabilitation at TCHP.

This isn’t about replacing oncology teams, NHS cancer care or medical treatment.

It’s about creating another option locally for people who want appropriate, individualised physiotherapy and exercise support throughout their cancer journey.

Before treatment. During treatment. After treatment.

I believe people affected by cancer in our area deserve high-quality rehabilitation support.

And TCHP is going to do everything we can to provide it.

If you or somebody close to you would like to speak to us confidentially, message:

CANCER SUPPORT

02/09/2026

CANCER TREATMENT IS NOT ALWAYS THE TIME TO STOP MOVING COMPLETELY.

Cancer and its treatment can have a significant effect on physical activity, strength, fitness and confidence.

Cancer prehabilitation asks an important question:

What can we safely and appropriately help this person continue doing?

For some people that may involve structured strength and cardiovascular exercise.

For others, the starting point may be much simpler.

There is no one-size-fits-all cancer exercise programme.

Exercise should be adapted around the individual, their treatment, symptoms, current physical ability and medical guidance.

Our aim isn't to push people through treatment.

It's to help people maintain or rebuild as much physical capacity and confidence as is appropriate for them.

For confidential information about our Cancer Prehabilitation & Rehabilitation service, message: CANCER SUPPORT

02/09/2026