Popular Physiotherapist Fiona retires from 'dream job' at UHDB
A Specialist Physiotherapist who has retired after 30 years in the Trust said she has been incredibly lucky to land the job she has wanted since she was 11-years-old.
Fiona Lindop worked in the Parkinson's Service at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital and has played a major role in the team winning numerous awards and becoming a Centre of Excellence for Parkinson's care, making it one of only two centres in the UK to achieve such status.
Fiona said she first decided she wanted to work in Physiotherapy at the age of 11 and her passion "never waivered".
She said: "I went to a school of physiotherapy in Aberdeen and it was really tough. I had lectures from 9am - 5pm constantly. It was very intense but there was lots of on-the-job experience."
After qualifying, Fiona landed her first job in London and then went on to marry. Due to her husband's work on the railways she travelled a lot and set up home in places including Doncaster and York, before moving to Derby where she began working at the Trust in 1992.
Fiona said she has loved her career and would highly recommend working as a Physio. Her love for the role even inspired her daughter who has followed in her footsteps and works as a respiratory physio.
She said: "I had quite a geographical jump throughout the years but there was never any problem getting a job. I always say that I came into my dream job late but I know I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I've had if I'd done it any earlier so I do feel really lucky. "
The dream job Fiona is talking about is her work with the Parkinson's Service which she said "evolved around her" and has gone from strength to strength since it was set up, with the team attending their first conference in 2006 and going on to win an award in 2007.
She said: "I've been in the NHS long enough to see things change and then come back round again and all the fields have changed and evolved but to watch this service go from what was a day service, to a Parkinson's Service which developed into the Centre of Excellence, has been such a joy and a privilege.
"I've watched the team grow and seen all the little steps taken to get to where it is and keep up that exceptional standard of care.
"I would definitely recommend this role to others. Being a physio is so fulfilling and you can make such a difference to people's lives. I have loved every minute."
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