Leading orthopaedic surgeon joins Oliver Hughes Physiotherapy Clinic in Newham

Wednesday 9th March, 2022

A leading children’s orthopaedic surgeon is now running a consultation service at a physiotherapy practice in Newham. 

Russell Hawkins - the only paediatric orthopaedic consultant based in Cornwall - has joined the team at Oliver Hughes Physiotherapy in Heron Way. 

Russell, who continues to operate as a highly experienced surgeon in the NHS, sees children with a range of conditions affecting their bones, joints and muscles. 

In his role at Oliver Hughes Physiotherapy, Russell carries out private consultations for patients up to the age of 18, from babies or toddlers with potential abnormalities to adolescents with sports injuries.

A range of treatments are available from simple advice to physiotherapy or surgical treatment.

Russell said he was delighted to join the team at Oliver Hughes, which includes a sports medicine doctor and five physiotherapists, each with their own specialities. 

“There’s really nowhere else offering this service for children,” said Russell, who trained in the Children's Unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London, with additional trauma experience at the world-renowned Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. 

“It’s about having that choice. It gives people the option to come and see me with their children and I can assess and provide the appropriate advice or treatment. Being part of a regional network means that any unusual conditions can also be managed via onward referral to the appropriate specialist, if necessary.” 

Russell will be working alongside other top specialists at Oliver Hughes Physiotherapy, including sports medicine doctor Nigel Rayner. 

The practice also has five physiotherapists, each with their own area of expertise.  

Clinic director and lead physiotherapist Oliver Hughes, said the skillset of his team was key to the success of the thriving practice, which has more than 5,000 clients already on the books and 25 new registrations every week, on average. 

“From the outset, I have wanted to develop a practice that offers access to the best possible clinicians to see for the patient’s particular issue,” said Oliver. 

“Physiotherapists are trained to have an amount of knowledge across all areas of the body. But no one can be an expert in all areas, so instead of seeing any physiotherapist about your issue, why not see a clinical specialist who is expert in that particular area? We are proud to be developing a clinic that is unique in the region in its capacity to offer access to this variety of clinical experts.” 

Increasing numbers of people are looking for treatment and support from private practices because of long waiting lists and pressure on the NHS, following the pandemic.  

Oliver says this, and the natural development of his business, founded in 2010, is driving an accelerated period of growth. 

“We’ve never been busier,” said Oliver. “We have a personal relationship with many of our clients. The great joy of the job for me is meeting so many interesting people from all walks of life.”

Oliver Hughes Physiotherapy Clinics has a primary clinic in Newham, Truro and a satellite clinic in St Mawes. For further information on the practice, visit http://www.ohphysiotherapy.co.uk/