Physiotherapy Alumnus Given Top Honours for Older Adults and Parkinson’s Work

Bhanu Ramaswamy has been recognised for her forward-looking contribution to people living with Parkinson's by being awarded a Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Bhanu Ramaswamy, a Healthcare Sciences alumnus who specialises in exercise with people with Parkinson's, was honoured by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) recently with a Fellowship.

A Fellowship is the highest honour awarded by the CSP, conferred on those who have rendered an outstanding service to the profession.

Bhanu has been instrumental in the development of the first European physiotherapy guidelines for Parkinson's disease. Having worked with people with Parkinson's for almost two decades, Bhanu has juggled being a physiotherapy consultant on various national projects as well as her involvement in public health by running health classes for a local branch of Parkinson's UK.

When asked about the award, Bhanu explains, "When I first received the letter telling me about the Fellowship, I didn't quite believe it. It hadn't sunk in until I was on stage, and then it really felt like a privilege, it opened these emotions in me. It is really humbling that my peers and the people I work for would recognise and honour me."

Bhanu has been an active member of AGILE (the professional network for physiotherapists working with older people) for 20 years. During this time she has led or contributed to a number of projects, including the National Coalition for Active Ageing, the International association of Physical Therapists working with Older People (IPTOP) and Skills for Health, and has provided stakeholder feedback on a range of NICE consultations. Bhanu is also involved in projects to improve standards for physiotherapy, and has made significant contributions to clinical practice, education and research.

Bhanu grew up in Merthyr Tydfil before studying at Cardiff University, where she was Student Member for the CSP Welsh Board. As a qualified physiotherapist, she was also a CSP steward for a couple of years, and then joined as a member of several professional networks. Bhanu credits staff from the School of Healthcare Sciences as having a profound influence on her career since graduating.

 "I really looked up to my lecturers, such as Dr Iris Musa, and my peers, such as Una Jones. It was an honour and an emotional moment for me to stand next to Dr Musa at the awards and to know I was her student. Both Una and Iris had a massive influence on my focus on neurology."

Bhanu is currently finishing her Doctorate in Professional Studies, which focuses on research into Parkinson's, looking at the role physiotherapy support has to play in empowering people with Parkinson's to self-manage the condition.