Physiotherapist Simon’s doctorate continues his work in lung ultrasound

Practice Development Physiotherapist, Simon Hayward, has recently been awarded his doctorate. This is the highest qualification that can be awarded by a university and means Simon is now an academic doctor.

His studies focused on the implementation of lung ultrasound within the UK physiotherapy profession. Lung ultrasound is a fast and safe test which uses sound waves to examine the lungs.

Simon is one of the first Allied Health Professionals, known as AHPs, in the Trust to achieve this.

His studies were funded by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals (BTH) and completed through the University of Essex.

Simon said:“I have spent the last decade laying the foundations for physiotherapists within BTH and the UK to learn and implement lung ultrasound into their practice. This has resulted in over a dozen publications, including reviews, surveys, interview studies, as well as professional frameworks and guidance. What began as a few interested physiotherapists in 2016, has now grown to over 300 accredited physiotherapists nationally. 

“I'd like to keep working on both national and international Lung Ultrasound projects. I'd also like to mentor my fellow AHPs at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals to help them develop their research skills with opportunities like the AHP Showcase”.

Nick Lane, the Trust’s Chief AHP said: “Simon has made a significant contribution to the development of diagnostic lung ultrasound for the physiotherapy profession at a local and national level over the past 10 years, developing the educational frameworks to ensure physiotherapists can practice safely and effectively and furthering the development of diagnostic lung ultrasound with his research contributions. I’d like to thank Simon on behalf of the Trust and the countless physiotherapists he has supported over the years and congratulate him on being awarded his doctorate.”