Excellence award for student-led chiropractic clinic at Teesside University

A new student-led chiropractic clinic at Teesside University has been recognised with an industry excellence award.

The Clinical Management Quality Mark (CMQM), awarded by The Royal College of Chiropractors, recognises excellence in terms of operating within a structured and managed clinical environment.

The award demonstrates excellence in a range of areas, including patient satisfaction, management procedures and operational policy.

The student-led chiropractic clinic opened in May 2023 and is part of the University’s Health & Wellbeing Hub, which provides clinical services to students and staff, along with members of the surrounding local community.

The Health & Wellbeing Hub clinics, based in the University’s School of Health & Life Sciences, include chiropractic, health and wellness, sports performance, sports therapy, rehabilitation, and dental clinics.

They are all student-led, operating under the supervision of qualified professionals and offer a range of treatments to enhance health and wellbeing.

The Health & Wellbeing Hub also enables students from different healthcare disciplines to work together, under a central manager, which helps to foster interprofessional and multidisciplinary learning.

Daniel Moore, Senior Lecturer and MSci (Hons) Chiropractic course lead, said: “As an institution, we always aim to embed quality and excellence into our activity. This quality award really demonstrates our commitment to excellence across all aspects of our learning and teaching mix, in this case the clinical practice experience we have developed for students, and importantly patients.”

Faye Deane, Senior Lecturer Chiropractic, added: “This award, which demonstrates excellence across a range of clinical areas, is testament to the collaborative efforts of the chiropractic course team, the clinical tutors, Health & Wellbeing hub clinical manager and of course, our dedicated and committed final year chiropractic students.

“Our students have conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism in the clinic during its first year of operation, listening to and engaging in processes and protocols as determined by the course team to ensure the highest levels of patient care and safety. The unwavering support of clinical tutors has allowed the students to develop core clinical competencies and flourish.”

The first cohort from the chiropractic programme is due to graduate this summer. The course is accredited by professional statutory regulatory body, the General Chiropractic Council.

Among MSci (Hons) Chiropractic students is Kristina Saraci, 27, who is originally from Greece, who said: “I had a vocational diploma as an assistant physiotherapist and was trying to find ways to study abroad. I always wanted to treat patients with my hands, and when I searched for chiropractic, I realised that this was for me.

“Throughout the course we have observed other chiropractors during our placements and during our final year, we have spent time at the student chiropractic clinic at the University, treating patients.”

Kristina added: “I am enjoying my time in the clinic. It is an excellent opportunity to work in a healthcare environment and gain experience with the support and supervision of the floor tutors before graduation and transitioning into independent clinical practice.

Aidan Heywood, 25, from Hebburn, who is also completing the MSci (Hons) Chiropractic, said: “I've always had chiropractic treatment throughout my life alongside playing football to a decent standard. It has helped me with injuries and general wellness, and I also have a keen interest in MSK (musculoskeletal) healthcare.

“The placement model on this course is different to other chiropractic schools and I truly believe this benefits Teesside students massively, as we open ourselves up to the chiropractic environment from year one, with the degree exposing us as students to the 'real world' environment.”

The chiropractic clinic is free to staff and students, with a reduced rate available to members of the public.

---