Helen McGahon MSc. MCSP
 
Helen graduated from the University of Manchester in 1989.  After completing rotations as a Junior and Senior 2 Physiotherapist in a variety of Hospital settings in the North West and Sheffield she moved to North Cumbria.  Based in Carlisle, Helen specialised in Orthopaedics and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Her achievements included developing a city wide Physiotherapy back pain service, establishing physiotherapy lead injection therapy in community settings, developing a spinal extended scope physiotherapy service and managing a rural physiotherapy service.  She designed and implemented in acute and community services the Timely Assessment and Physiotherapy Treatment model (TAPT) reducing and maintaining waiting times to access physiotherapy from 3 months to 2 weeks. She completed research at the University of Cumbria that demonstrated the positive impact of TAPT on Physiotherapists professional practice and patient outcomes.
 
Helen worked as a community manager from 2013-2016 leading all professions across the community, community hospital and minor injuries unit. From 2016-2018 Helen was the Head of Physiotherapy at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Chaired the West, North and East Cumbria AHP Leads Forum that has developed the AHP Strategy for the local health economy.  She now has an interim role as the Associate Director of AHPs for North Cumbria’s health and Care System.