Clare Cambray

About me

I am a physiotherapist by profession and have long worked in secondary care as an orthopaedic specialist in the interface service. I have worked for many years in community hospitals and in GP surgeries and my area of specialist practice is musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy.

I completed my Masters degree in Advanced MSK Practice at the university of Birmingham in 2010. I am trained in MSK injections and I am an independent prescriber. I have been helping train and mentor other physios in the MSK service over the last 12 years. In 2020 we set up the First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) service and we now have 27 staff working across the eastern region of Devon. I run an FCP clinic in the Culm Valley PCN. 

I like outdoor activities such as running and hiking and I try to cycle to work when I can.  I am a keen kitchen gardener and try to keep us self-sufficient in fruit and veg during the summer and autumn.   

About my fellowship time

Personal Development

I applied for this fellowship because I have always been heavily involved in mentoring and training others. I value the role observed practice and supervision have on clinical care and individual development. With my leadership in education pathways for the MSK FCP service I felt well-placed to support the other additional role AHP groups. This fellowship has offered me opportunities such as formal education skills training and access to masters modules on coaching, supervision and mentoring. I have developed my small group education skills and I’ve really enjoyed working with a wide range of professions. 

Projects/QI

I have mainly been working to promote the roadmap educational pathways for FCPs and support individuals and PCNs to implement them. I have established a network of all AHPs in primary care and set-up communities of practice for them and their supervisors. I have helped represent and guide the training offerings at the LDC to meet the needs of the rising numbers of AHPs in primary care. I have put together resources to guide PCNs and individual AHPs on their career path in primary care.

What did I get out of my fellowship?

Gaining formal qualifications and practical skills in teaching has been hugely interesting and beneficial. I’ve enjoyed working on specific projects and learning how to keep momentum to see them through. I’ve enjoyed all the networking opportunities and hearing about what different professions are working on in primary care. I’ve got to work alongside individuals in the southwest advanced faculty and the primary care academy which has been great.