issue 5 2010

at Coventry University

Inside
Conference
updates, new
facilities and
research profiles

Positive
influence
New Chair of the Chartered Society
of Physiotherapy, Ann Green, reveals
her plans for the organisation

Boosting Victim
careers support
Progress with Understanding
new training victims with a trip
opportunities to Auschwitz
see p8 see p10
Welcome
We have another
packed issue
of Health at

What’s inside
Coventry
University for
you to enjoy.
You can read about two
3 Healthy Debates
exciting facilities that we Find out about a new healthy lecture series
officially opened in the
last few months. Dame Joan Bakewell opened our 4 Health News
The latest developments in health at Coventry
innovative Health, Design and Technology Institute,
and we also unveiled our new facility for paramedic 6 Overseas learning
and ODP students. We have previously featured Improving the experience for international students
news about the arrival of our ambulance, but we 8 Healthy ideas boost careers
have now fully restored it and enthusiastic students Three new opportunities for progressing your career
are using it in their practical skills classes.
You can also read about the work that is being
10 Understanding victims
How a trip to Auschwitz helped Criminology students
done outside of the University by our physiotherapy
colleagues. Associate Head of Physiotherapy and 12 England’s rose
Physiotherapy for England’s U20s rugby team
Dietetics Ann Green talks about her role as the
chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and 13 Improving drinking water
Senior Lecturer Lesley McBride reveals what it’s like How ultrasound is controlling algae in China
working with the England under 20s rugby team.
14 Positive influence
Elsewhere we continue themes from previous The new chair of the Chartered Society of
issues such as the new developments in service Physiotherapy, Ann Green, reveals her plans
user involvement and CPD, and we return to our
16 Noticeboard
progress in internationalisation with an article about The latest seminars and events you can attend
the international student experience.
The international focus continues with a moving
piece on a visit to Auschwitz that some of our
CONTACT US Website:
lecturers and students made as part of the Victims If you would like to find www.coventry.ac.uk/health
and Victimology module in Criminology. out more about any of
the articles featured Credits:
Finally, I’d like to invite you to our forthcoming
in this issue or about Managing Editor: Gail
Healthy Debates. We’ve lined up some exceptional applied research or Williams
speakers to take part in the series, where audience to subscribe to future Edited & designed
participation will be actively encouraged. I look issues of Health, please by: Elliott House
contact: Gail Williams, Communications
forward to seeing you at the debates. Marketing Admissions Printed by: Emmersons
and Recruitment Manager,
Faculty of Health and Life This publication is
Dr Andy Bridges Sciences. available in other formats
PhD CPsychol CSci AFBPsS on request. Please
Telephone: contact Marketing and
Associate Dean Faculty of Health & Life Sciences + 44 (0) 24 7679 5983 Communications on
Email: +44 (0) 24 7688 8352
gail.williams@coventry.ac.uk

2 Health Issue 5 2010

 health news

Healthy debates
A new lecture series
featuring leading figures
from the health and
social sector begins
this summer

T
he major issues affecting
health and social care
in today’s society will be
debated in a new lecture
series that is free to
attend. Dr Malcolm Fisk Professor Bryan Dr Mike Short Professor Sir
Stoten Bruce Keogh
The Faculty of Health and Life
Sciences will host the visiting
speakers during June and July this “Prestigious speakers will cover
year in a series called Healthy Debates
at Coventry.
topics on a range of issues that are
Influential contributors from the at the heart of delivering health and
health and social care sector will be
taking part, such as Medical Director social care in today’s society”
of the NHS Professor Sir Bruce Keogh
and Chair of the NHS Confederation presentation by the visiting speaker, explore the themes that have been
Professor Bryan Stoten. which will be followed by a facilitated introduced.
Each session will include a keynote discussion with the audience to Launching the series, Associate
Dean in Health & Life Sciences Dr.
Andy Bridges said: “The Faculty

Speaker timetable is honoured to be hosting these

prestigious speakers. The topics
cover a range of issues that are at the
15 June Speaker: Dr Malcolm Fisk; Chairman Telecare Services Association
heart of delivering health and social
Topic: Care or Custody? The Impact of Telecare and TeleHealth
Location: Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry care in today’s society. The series
also reflects the important part that
22 June Speaker: Professor Bryan Stoten; Chair of NHS Confederation, Chair Coventry University plays in educating
of NHS Warwickshire; CEO of Public Management Associates the future workforce and contributing
Topic: From Good to Great; What will they do to the NHS next? to research in these sectors.”
Location: Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry There are four sessions available
so far, which are free to attend. All
29 June Speaker: Dr. Mike Short; Vice President Telefonica Europe, O2 sessions run from 1pm until 2pm and
Topic: The International Health Service; The Power of Mobility
places can be booked online at www.
and Broadband
Location: Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry
eventsforce.net/healthydebates.
Places are limited and because the
6 July Speaker: Professor Sir Bruce Keogh; Medical Director NHS debates are expected to be popular it
Topic: Focusing on Quality and Innovation in the NHS is advised to book your seats early to
Location: Goldstein Lecture Theatre, Alan Berry Building, University avoid any disappointment.
Square, Coventry
For more information visit www.
coventry.ac.uk/hls and keep up to
date with us on Twitter at twitter/CovHLS

Issue 5 2010 Health 3

health news

Pushing the BAOT out

Occupational Therapy students have
been promoting the course and the
occupation to people in Coventry during
OT week 2009.
The students, part of the BA
Occupational Therapy (BAOT) group,
handed out information and explained the
benefits of the profession to passers-by
from a stand in the Herbert Art Gallery.
The students gave away leaflets, USB
keys, badges and pens to visitors.
Students, occupational therapists,
assistants and COT representatives
were on hand to talk about the subject.
Among the visitors to the stand were
first year OT students looking for
guidance on their studies.
Students from other health
professional courses, including nursing,
also visited to broaden their knowledge
of OT and learn more about working
within a multi-disciplinary team.
After the success of the promotional
work, BAOT are planning more events.

Realistic
operations
Generous donations
have funded essential
equipment to help train
healthcare professionals
A new mock operating theatre and
an ambulance for students to practise
on during their courses were officially
unveiled in March.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor
Madeleine Atkins, officially opened
the facilities at the Richard Crossman
building in front of invited guests,
representatives from the department
Real: (above) the new facilities (above
and students. left) Paramedic students Chris Salt and
Representatives from the Coventry Jack Kilminster (left) the official opening
and District Charitable Trust were able
to see first-hand how the money they
had donated has been spent.
Nina Godson, Senior Lecturer in
“It is important that
Clinical Skills from the Faculty of Health our students have
and Life Sciences, said: “We are
grateful to the Coventry and District the best equipment
Charitable Trust for their generous
donation. It is important that our
out for use by paramedic students
and it is believed that Coventry is the to work with”
students have the best equipment to first University to have its own fully
work with and the money the Trust functional ambulance in the classroom. will happen when you’re on a job and
gave us has been spent on purchasing Paramedic students Chris Salt and practising in a closed environment
an industry standard light for the Jack Kilminster said the ambulance before being let out in the public does
operating theatre.” was a real bonus to their course. help. It’s a great asset to the students
The ambulance has been kitted “Having more of an insight into what and the University,” said Jack.

4 Health Issue 5 2010

 health news

Joan Bakewell Case study

opens HDTI
Dame Joan Bakewell, the
Government’s ‘Voice of Older People’,
has officially opened the new £4.5
million HDTI building.
Dame Joan, who opened the
building in front of over 100 guests
at the University’s Technology
Park, spoke about the increasing
importance of supporting Britain’s
ageing population – and how the
University’s HDTI was taking a
significant lead in this area.
HDTI works with businesses,
entrepreneurs, healthcare
professionals and users to develop
products and services to improve the
lives of the ageing population, people
with disabilities, and chronic illnesses.
“There is no doubt that as a
population we are living longer – and
it’s probable that the person is already
born who will live to be 150,” said
Dame Joan. “Medicine, hygiene and
social care increase our chances of
totting up the years.  But longevity for
its own sake is not the appropriate
objective.
“What HDTI is doing will widen the
debate, broaden provision and
provide a regular monitor of how well
society is serving its old people.”
HDTI is one of the UK’s leading
Open: (l-r) Dame Joan Bakewell with
the Vice Chancellor at the official
opening of the building
centres for developing ‘assistive
technologies’ such as walking
aids and wheelchairs, building and
vehicle adaptations, consumer health
products and healthcare technology.
The new building, funded by a
capital investment from Advantage
West Midlands, includes a mock-
up area where companies can test
prototypes, a usability suite where
new products can be evaluated
by users, seminar rooms, a design
studio, workshop and rentable office
space for healthcare businesses.
Midwifery
Out of 35,305 registered
midwives in the UK,
approximately only 132
are men. Third year BSc
Midwifery student Scott
Butler explains why he
chose this career path
“I started out as an
engineer but decided
it was not the right
career for me. My
mother, who is a
careers advisor,
suggested I should
be a nurse as she
thought I had all
the necessary
qualities. I was sceptical
at first but after researching the
courses I warmed to the idea
and joined Coventry University
in September 2004 on the Adult
Nursing BSc. I visited a maternity
ward and knew at once this
was exactly what I wanted to
do. I love the work – caring for
pregnant women is such a special
relationship and you need very
different skills to the ones needed
“the positive
reactions have
outweighed the
negative”

Lord Stafford award winner
The Health Design and Technology Institute (HDTI) won the
Entrepreneurial Spirit award at the Lord Stafford Awards 2009.
The awards celebrate the links between universities and the private
sector and highlight the best in partnership working and innovation.
HDTI won for its work with company Stretching
By Design to develop the LARA – a device
designed to ease spasticity and severe tightening
of the thigh muscles; a common symptom of
multiple sclerosis. Its inventor Dave Collins was
diagnosed with the condition 20 years ago.
The University’s Intellectual Property Business
Development Manager Dr Brian More won the
Knowledge Transfer Champion for helping more
than 350 firms access support at the University.
for looking after a person who is ill.
I have heard all possible
responses to being a male
midwife, but the positive reactions
have outweighed the negative.
Other men considering midwifery
should not worry that some people
think it a strange career choice. In
my experience pregnant women
want the right person for the job
regardless of their gender. They
need someone who is caring and
listens and they want to feel safe
with the midwife.”

Issue 5 2010 Health 5

Feature

Overseas
learning
As part of the Faculty’s plan to double its
number of international students, Helen Poole,
Associate Head of Department (Social and
Community Studies), attended a conference to
get advice on how to do it

T
he rising trend towards ‘local
globalisation’ is threatening
international student
recruitment. Rather than
travelling long distances,
students are choosing
universities closer to home – such as
Chinese students picking institutions in
Japan.
UK universities will therefore need
to address the way they market their
institutions to ensure they are attractive to
an international audience. And because
word of mouth recommendations
have a major influence on the choices
those students make, the services and
approach universities offer to them once encouraging international
they arrive also has to be right. students. students to study in
These issues were just some of The major theme of the UK – something
those discussed at the second annual the conference aimed to that Coventry is
conference of the UK International resolve how to maintain focused on through
Student Experience in February. The the rise in international its Add+Vantage
event brought together academics, student numbers in scheme modules as
students and other interested parties from the context of the well as its placement
across the world to listen to presentations tightening visa restrictions and internship
from the British Council, the UK Borders and the increase in options.
Agency, the 1994 Group, David Lammy global competition. Universities also
MP and senior education leaders. Presentations and discussions focused needed to pay attention to
As part of the University’s on good practice in support of overseas their online presence, as most potential
internationalisation strategy (as introduced students and it was an opportunity for students visit a university website as a
in the A World of Good article in Health institutions to share expertise. result of a search engine. The content on
issue 3), the Health and Life Sciences Employment prospects were a major the website is also important as many
Faculty (HLS) is exploring new ways of consideration for attracting international international students rely on them for

6 Health Issue 5 2010


Global students: Coventry is focused
on ensuring its international students
have a positive experience
information (rather than contacting the
institution), and will look elsewhere if the
required details are not easily available.
Social networking sites are becoming
a favoured form of communication to
email and 70% of international students
expect universities to be on those sites.
HLS is now on Twitter, for example,
and regularly announces course news
and open days to its followers. When
Criminology started a Facebook fan
page, it had accumulated over 100 fans
within a few days.
It was widely agreed that positive
discrimination was counter-productive
for international students who would
Student viewpoint
Konstantina Chanou from Trikala in Greece
studied for a Masters in Physiotherapy in
2007 and says it was a positive experience
The course was really different from
what I do in my country and Coventry
University was a great experience.
It was the first time I had lived in
the UK but everyone was very helpful
because I was from overseas. I got
a house straight away and student
ambassadors showed me around the
University and the city, which was really
helpful and I didn’t feel unsafe at all.
I could have taken an English
language course if I had wanted but I
was able to communicate quite easily
so I choose not to do this. I used the
Centre for Academic Writing a lot – I
went to them with all my course work
because I wanted to write more as
an English person and not as a Greek
student.
I loved the library – it was a really
huge building with a large variety of
“Universities
should be
treating all
students, both
domestic and
international, as
global students”
rather regard themselves as part of a
learning community. One University had
even disbanded its international office
in favour of integrating such services
with those offered to ‘mainstream’
students. The increasing emphasis
on internationalising the learning
experience reinforced the message
that universities should be treating
all students, both domestic and
international, as ‘global students.’ For
example, careers services should have
an international focus for all students,
and study support should integrate
English language support. All things that
Coventry is already offering its students.
Konst
her huantina with
sband
materials and you could access the
facilities at all times.
My Masters was theoretical, which
helped open my mind and enabled
me to think about the theory behind
the practice. This has helped me to
understand why I am doing certain
things in my job.
I now run my own private practice
in Greece and am juggling this with
being a mum to my five-month old son
Anthony and also studying for a PhD
into the effects of whole body vibration
exercise on the human body. I would
have liked to do a PhD in the UK if the
circumstances were different.
Particular provisions that were noted
as positively affecting the international
student experience included good pre-
arrival and pre-departure information,
managing students’ expectations,
picking students up from the airport and
formally welcoming them, information
sessions on the host establishment and
its surroundings, orientation programmes
and mentoring new students. Mentoring
and other post-orientation programmes
were considered particularly valuable in
the student’s success and quality of their
experience. Such schemes have been
particularly successful when embedded
in course programmes.
Finally, academic contact is highly
regarded by international students,
and can significantly impact on
their experience. As the popularity
in blended and online learning
programmes grows, this is an issue
that needs to be addressed.
HLS is on course to double its number
of international students by 2013 and is
continuing to improve the way it serves
its overseas students.
For more information about being an
international student at Coventry visit
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
Issue 4 2010 Health 7
Feature

Healthy ideas
boost careers
Three new developments in the Faculty of Health and Life
Sciences offer more opportunities for healthcare professionals

Opportunity 1 User involvement

Get a better understanding of service users with their involvement in the
pre-registration Mental Health Nursing course

Q Why involve service users?

A Using individuals who have
experience of mental health problems
has enhanced the students learning
experience on the Mental Health
Nursing course. However, it was
recognised that a more consistent
approach would be beneficial to the
students’ learning experience and also
give people the opportunity to share
their personal experiences related to
mental ill health, improve confidence
and aid recovery.

Q How did you involve users?

A In partnership with Coventry MIND,
service users have been asked
how they would like to share their
experiences and enhance the Mental
Health Nursing course.
To ensure the University was not
perceived as intimidating, and to
ease any anxieties, service users
were invited to an induction day to
show them around the campus, given
an induction pack and a two-day
presentation skills workshop to ensure
they were adequately prepared for the
classroom.
“In teaching sessions they have talked
about their personal experiences.”
Q How have service users helped?
A They have contrbuted to teaching
sessions, open days and supported
mental health awareness days. In
teaching sessions they have talked
about their personal experiences. The
students and users have given positive
feedback on this experience.
Q Have you shared this success?
A In November 2009 Dawn Collins
from Coventry MIND, service user
Debbie Haw and Senior Lecturer in
Mental Health Nursing Yvette Brown
presented the project’s achievements
at Authenticity to Action – Involving
Service Users and Carers in Higher
Education conference.
Debbie Haw sadly passed away in March 2010. She was
very active as a service user and contributed positively to
a number of activities for the mental health team. She will
be missed.

8 Health Issue 5 2010

Opportunity 2
A new degree
course
Help improve the nation’s
health with the new
degree in Exercise,
Nutrition and Health
Q Why the new course?
A As the number of people with
diseases and disorders associated
with physical inactivity and poor
nutrition continues to grow so too
do the number of jobs in the areas
of exercise, physical activity and
nutrition. A healthy lifestyle can
prevent the development of many
diseases and would potentially save
the NHS billions of pounds.
Q What does the course teach?
A Students will be taught the
knowledge, understanding, skills
and attributes needed to improve
the health of individuals, groups and
communities using exercise, physical
activity and nutrition. Students will
learn the fundamentals of exercise and
nutrition and how they relate to health
and disease. The course will ensure
students can apply this knowledge
in a health promotion setting so they
will learn about the UK public health
system, the strategies in place to
promote health and how to monitor
and evaluate them.  Motivational interviewing is a patient-
Q Who should be interested?
A The health and fitness industry is
one of the fastest growing sectors in
the UK economy. As well as growth in
the private sector, the Government is
employing individuals directly, or via
the private sector, to deliver public
health and activity targets. Degree-
level knowledge of the subject
area will be beneficial to individuals
entering this competitive job
market. The course will offer health
and fitness industry qualifications
and relevant work experience.
Assessments will mimic real life
scenarios.
Opportunity 3
New training workshops
Improve skills in helping patients to self manage their
health with new motivational training workshops
Q Why the new workshops?
A Despite efforts in patient education,
patient behaviours can be resistant
to change. Reasons for this include
a patient’s mixed feelings about the
costs and benefits of changing. Or
the person may struggle to develop
concrete plans to put theory into
action.
Q What are the workshops?
A The training develops knowledge
and skills in the psychology of
motivation, enhancing self-efficacy,
goal-setting and problem-solving.
It is suitable for anyone who sets
behaviour change goals for patients,
for example in areas such as health
promotion and primary prevention,
smoking cessation, physical activity
and diet.
centred, directive approach to
communication that offers techniques
to enhance patients’ intrinsic
motivation for healthy behaviour
change.
Q Any accreditations?
A The Register of Exercise
Professionals (REPS) is an independent
public register which recognises the
qualifications and expertise of health
enhancing exercise instructors in
the UK. Students will cover some
of the material needed for these
Training formats range from one-day
introductory or refresher workshops
on campus, to bespoke training days
tailored to the needs of individual
healthcare organisations, and
delivered at a chosen venue.
Q Why is the training important?
A The value of motivational
interviewing is increasingly
recognised in policy documents.
To implement these policies, health
professionals need a range of
competencies that engage patients
in health behaviour change. These
include helping patients to develop
accurate knowledge about the
health consequences of their
behaviours, enhancing patients’
belief in their ability to change, and
exploring reasons for patients’ non
compliance with treatment plans or
recommendations.
For further information contact:
Carol Percy on +44 (0) 24 7688
8223 or email c.percy@coventry.ac.uk
qualifications and will be able to
complete the assessments to gain the
full qualifications at a reduced cost
compared with external courses.
A 2+2 option is also available in
conjunction with Henley College where
students can enrol on the HND Sport,
Exercise and Health course.
Issue 5 2010 Health 9
 “The first tears began as
we stepped off the coach.
Catching your first glimpse
of the infamous Arbeit
Macht Frei sign at the
entrance to Auschwitz
is not a moment that you
will forget”

More about
the course
Students on the BA (Hons)
Photos courtesy of Martin Jones

Criminology course study a

range of issues relating to
crime, punishment, deviance
and social control. Modules on
the course include: Controlling
Crime; Policing and Forensic
Studies; Victims and Victimology,
and Forensic Mental Health.
Graduates often go on to careers
within the Police, Probation and
Prison Service.
10 Health Issue 5 2010
 feature

Understanding
victims
Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of a Criminology field trip
was a life changing experience explains Tim Turner

M
y first visit to Auschwitz
was in 1994. I was a
student staying with a
friend in Krakow. She
told me that I had to
go. I asked her about
her own experience there, but she
didn’t say very much. When I emerged
from the train and walked through
the gates I understood. There are no
words to describe the experience of
walking amongst a million lost souls. The
experience was life changing and I was
left with a sense that this was a place that
everyone should see. Auschwitz though,
is more than a visual experience. You feel Life-changing: Tim Turner (centre back) with the twenty students on their poignant
the weight of failed humanity as you walk visit to Auschwitz as part of the Victims and Victimology module in Criminology
the neat rows of concrete blocks.
Sixteen years later as module leader on the last day. walls overwhelm some of us and we sob.
a level two Criminology module – Victims The first tears began as we stepped Birkenau only compounds the
and Victimology – I decided to repeat the off the coach. Catching your first glimpse emotional resonance of Auschwitz.
experience with students. of the infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign The sheer scale of the place is
For the last two years students have at the entrance to Auschwitz is not a incomprehensible, like a hundred football
visited the National Holocaust Centre moment that you will forget. Our Polish pitches knitted together. A desolate
in Nottinghamshire where they heard guide, Peter, led our solemn, hushed patchwork of prisoner huts is sliced
very emotional first hand testimony from group through the experience with down the middle by the iconic railway
Auschwitz survivors. I realised visiting expertise and sensitivity. The exhibits line. We stand by the platform and can
Auschwitz would only enhance the are staggeringly emotional. Piles of only imagine this hell 60 years ago. The
work on Hate Crime and Genocide that human hair, some still tied in ribbon, sun dropped low into a clear, red winter
students were exploring in the module. a leather mountain of shoes, glasses, sky as we looked over the remains of the


Twenty of us made the four-day trip. suitcases with names and addresses two crematoria, where the lives of people
As the bond cemented between the hastily scrawled by terrified owners. And like you and me were snuffed out on a
group the social value of the experience the children … teddy bears that they’d production line.
was clear to see. Some real friendships loved and cuddled; shoes that they’d We returned to our minibus as the sun
were formed in those few days. We took played in; dresses torn and darned with dipped behind the trees by the collapsed
a convoy of golf-buggies to Kazimierz; a mother’s love. Many of us turn away in crematoria. The end of a day that I knew
drank vodka in dark cellar bars; went a heady mixture of guilt, disgust, anger, had changed each one of us.
inside Schindler’s factory and quietly took sorrow and shame. From there we walk
photographs of poignant sculptures. I to the gas chamber, and it feels like no For more information visit www.
deliberately left Auschwitz-Birkenau until place on earth. The scratch marks on the coventry.ac.uk/hls

Issue 5 2010 Health 11

profile

England’s Rose
Senior lecturer Lesley McBride is also physiotherapist to
the England under 20s rugby team and reveals how she
mixes education with ice baths

W
hen I tell people I
am physiotherapist
to the England
U20 rugby squad,
the most common
response I get is – ‘I
would like that job!’
I have just completed another
successful Six Nations campaign in
which we came equal top with Ireland
in the table (they beat us on points
difference though). I am part of a
management team which includes a
team manager, two coaches, a strength
and conditioning coach, a sports
psychologist, an analyst and a doctor
and our objective for this season was
‘to create a team environment in which
to develop future winning England
International players.’
From last year’s cohort Ben Youngs students in their practical vivas and mark We travel to Argentina this summer
and Courtney Lawes both were capped their essays. for the IRB Junior World Championship
for the England Senior team this year. The following week we travelled to and in our pool we play Argentina,
Our campaign started with a home Venice in Italy where we were able to Ireland and France. Stiff opposition
match versus Wales which we played continue our winning streak: Italy 10, but an opportunity to go one better
at Gloucester rugby club and which we England 16. I am now fluent in Italian if than the previous two years. Last
won convincingly: England 41, Wales you want me to ask for ice – not for your year in Tokyo we lost to New Zealand
14. This was a tough week as it was gin and tonic but for treating injuries! in the final, having beaten Japan,
exam week for one of the modules I lead Another home match followed and we Scotland, Australia, and South Africa.
at the University. I had to split my time lost to Ireland 10 to their 25. The previous year we also lost to New
Zealand in the final – our nemesis!
“My main role within this team My main role is to contribute to the
well being of the players physiologically
is to contribute to the well and psychologically. I assess and treat
being of the players in the them when they are injured, screen
them and set them individual prehab
physiological, psychological programmes to keep them fit and
and lifestyle domains” healthy, advise and coordinate warm
up and cool down activities pre and
between standing pitch side watching Fortunately we went on to win our post training and matches, take pool
training, treating the players’ injuries, final two matches comfortably, the first rehab sessions, and liaise with their
taking pool rehab and ensuring they one in Glasgow (Scotland six, England club physiotherapists to ensure a
stayed in the ice baths for the requisite 27) and the final match in St Nazaire smooth club/country transition for these
length of time post training and being at (France 33, England 47). This was young and exciting future stars of the
the University to examine second year followed by a fantastic celebration. international scene.

12 Health Issue 5 2010

 profile

PhD student Xiaoge Wu’s

groundbreaking research into
the use of ultrasound to control
algae blooms has the potential to
improve drinking water in China
and around the world

“My ultrasound project

is improving
drinking water
in China” (Above) Lake Taihu, October 2009 (top)
‘Prof T Mason, Dr E Joyce, Xiaoge
(Cathy) Wu at Royal Society Summer
Science Exhibition 2009, London

L
Lake Taihu in China is the
main water resource for a
number of cities including
Shanghai, providing fresh
water to the homes of
over 30 million people. The
Lake has battled with a blue green
algae bloom problem for over 10 years
but in 2007 the country experienced
record temperatures that caused the
algae to increase dramatically. This
released toxins into the water, making it
poisonous to drink.
While chemicals are currently being
used to clean Lake Taihu, they are
expensive and pollute the environment,
so research is being carried out both
in China and the UK to investigate
alternative ways to reduce the algae on
lakes and reservoirs. Algae blooms are a
problem all over the world – even in the
UK – and for developing countries the
effects can be much worse.
Over the last three years I have
investigated the ways ultrasound could
stop algae growing. Using chemicals
can cause health problems however
something clean like high frequency
sound energy is a much better option.
I chose to do my research at Coventry
because the University is a world
leader in sonochemistry and when I
was younger I heard about Professor
Tim Mason and read his book about
ultrasound. I know ultrasound will have a
very good future in solving environmental
to see which levels injure the algae cells.
We are about to move on to 100 litres
scale using natural algae bloom samples
from the local area.
This small laboratory scale work is
not the same as working on a large
lake, where you have to be able to
treat greater volumes of polluted water.
However the University’s Sonochemistry
centre has established a good
relationship with Southeast University in
China. Our partners there are trying to
reduce the algae on Lake Taihu. They
have built a boat, which drives around
emitting ultrasound, and we have been
over to China to discuss ways we can
link our research together.
If by working together we can cure the
problems at Lake Taihu, where it is hot

Harvesting algae
issues, which is an area in which I and there is lots of algae, we can cure
want to work. Using sound above the problem anywhere in the world.
o work ing wi th the frequency which can be heard by Ultrasound has a very good future
Th e Ca rbo n Trust is als
die s, Dr Eadaoin humans (ultrasound) we should be able for water treatment and I would like to
my direct or of stu
est iga te ext rac ting oil to either kill it or certainly to control it. continue my work in this area.
Joyce, to inv
fos sil fue ls. Bo th We are working with small and
from alg ae to replace
fes sor M aso n thi nk it medium scale algae suspensions (about For more information about
Dr Joyce and Pro
ld ha rvest some one litre), using ultrasonic equipment to
wo uld be gre at if we cou
Sonochemistry at Coventry visit
on La ke Taihu to test different frequencies and intensities www.coventry.ac.uk/sonochemistry
of the alg ae gro wi ng
ext rac t the oil .
Issue 5 2010 Health 13
profile
As the new Chair of the Chartered Society of
Physiotherapy, Coventry’s Associate Head of Physiotherapy
and Dietetics Ann Green will play a key role in influencing
the future of the physiotherapy profession
Positive
Q
influence
Why did you want to be Chair
of the Chartered Society of
Physiotherapy (CSP)?
A I have been involved with the
CSP since I started my first
physiotherapy job over 30 years ago.
I’ve been involved in many networks
and groups within the society but had
never stood for election to Council – the
governing body of the Society. I was
chairing the learning and development
committee and would often be
frustrated that I couldn’t influence the
final decision because Council was
responsible for this. Two years ago I
stood for election and was elected to
sit on one of the two education seats.
I then thought about becoming Vice
Chair but an opportunity for the Chair
came up last year and I was elected
unopposed in October 2009.
Q What are your plans as the new
Chair of the CSP?
A I am hoping to make the
professional body more accessible
to the membership by using new
communication technologies – for
example, I’m starting a Blog called Life in
the Chair. I’m also having Open Days at
the headquarters in England, Scotland,
Ireland and Wales so people can find out
14 Health Issue 5 2010
more about the CSP.
The main challenge will be supporting
physiotherapists in their working lives
in these difficult economic times.
However in the face of these adverse
conditions there are also opportunities
for the profession as services
are transformed, as health care
diversifies and as scope of practice
develops.
I have always been well
informed about education and
research but now I am making
a greater effort to find out more
about the Trade Union side of
the organisation. In autumn
I will be going to the party
political conferences and
will lobby around health and
“We work hard to
physiotherapy.
Q Will the role benefit
Coventry University? give students the
A Being Chair is good
best support we
for networking and in
the build up to the General
Election I met with health
can. The attitude
ministers from the main
political parties to talk about
you show
health policy and how towards students
physiotherapists contribute to
healthcare in the public and is very important”
private sector. I also attend meetings at
the House of Commons and get early
sight of important documents and
health briefings, which I circulate to
University colleagues if they are non-
confidential.
I also lobby on behalf of the
profession, such as on issues like
the recently reported reduction
in NHS commissioned places
in physiotherapy and allied
health professions. Together
with a successful lobbying
campaign by the Allied
Health Professions Forum
it resulted in a rethink by
the Department of Health.

Q How did your

career begin?

A
I started working
in Shropshire
as a junior Physiotherapist,
rotated around all the specialities
and then specialised in Muscular
Skeletal Physiotherapy.
I became a student teacher in
1985 because I saw education as
an opportunity to get involved in the
profession as it develops. I moved to
Coventry in 1991 because I wanted to
work in a polytechnic and this University
was one of the few higher education
institutions that delivered a degree
programme.
I started as an Associate
Lecturer, was promoted
to Principal Lecturer to
look at curriculum and
assessment and then
became Associate Head
of Physiotherapy and
Dietetics in 2002.
50,000
The Chartered Society of
Physiotherapy is the professional,
education and trade union body
representing nearly 50,000
physiotherapists, physiotherapy
students and physiotherapy
support workers across the UK.
professional development short
courses and specialist modules.
Our graduates are ideally placed for
specialist positions such as Consultant
Therapists and Extended Scope
Practitioners (ESPs).
We continue to meet the needs of
the service and provide cutting edge
courses and modules at postgraduate
level to extend practice. Some of these

Q Is Coventry a
good place to
study Physiotherapy?
modules were the first in the UK to
be delivered as masters modules, like
ultrasound imaging and injection therapy

A We have
the largest
undergraduate
for neurology, and remain unique to
Coventry and are market leaders.
I derive job satisfaction from our
programme in the UK, students’ progress. It is a real thrill if
we have some of the managers say they have employed one
longest established of our students and they are doing an
Masters programmes excellent job or if I see something that
and we have one one of our students has published.
of the broadest
ranges of beyond For more information about the
registration Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
programmes, visit www.csp.org.uk or visit www.
continual coventry.ac.uk/hls

Issue 5 2010 Health 15

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