Physiotherapy apprentices qualify into hospital roles

Eight physiotherapists are progressing into their new roles at a Teesside NHS hospital after gaining their qualifications while on the job.

The cohort has now completed their BSC Physiotherapy Degree as part of a new apprenticeship course launched by University Hospitals Tees and Teesside University. All eight are now employed at the University Hospital of North Tees as chartered physiotherapists.

The programme, first launched in 2021, saw the group undertake one day of learning a week at the university’s School of Health and Life Sciences, while putting their theory into practice four days a week as a physiotherapist assistant at the hospital. They also undertook block practice placements – gaining experience in the hospital’s various wards and specialties.

Faz Khan, 32 from Stockton, and Laura Elwell, 33 from Easington, are two of the cohort who completed the programme in May. They now work full-time at the hospital in rotational physiotherapist roles.

Faz first became interested in becoming a physio at college while on work experience with The James Cook University Hospital. But after struggling with traditional learning, she put her aspirations on hold.

She said: “I found college really difficult and didn’t know I was dyslexic at the time. I always felt a bit behind everyone else and because of how I found studying, I felt like it put me on the back foot.

“For people like me who struggle academically, an apprenticeship is a really good opportunity to learn in a different way, showcase your skills and get support with the academic side of things. It really gave me hope on the things I was doubting myself on. “It’s opened so many doors and this could lead onto anything else. I feel like the world’s my oyster right now. I’ll always be grateful to North Tees for that.”

Mum Laura began her career at the University Hospital of North Tees aged 17 and had worked as a physio assistant in elective orthopaedics since 2012. It wasn’t until Covid hit and her role became rotational that she found a new confidence to progress further in her career.

Laura said: “I moved around different departments and really enjoyed that challenge. If it wasn’t for that, I don’t think I’d have taken the next step and pushed myself.

“With the apprenticeship, we were able to put everything we were learning into practice as we were working. It’s been challenging, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a great opportunity to be given. With a mortgage and a family, I would never have had the nerve to leave and go to uni full time. I feel really lucky to have been accepted on the apprenticeship programme.”

Nathan Liddle, senior lecturer in physiotherapy at Teesside University, said: “I’m really proud to be the course leader for the physiotherapy apprenticeship degree programme at Teesside University. We have world-class facilities here at Teesside University, and we were awarded ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted early in 2025 – an accolade we’re very proud of.

“The apprenticeship course is relatively new and we have been collaborating with University Hospitals Tees on the programme from the very beginning. Our relationship has developed immensely since the inception of the programme, and the group is now vastly experienced in supporting apprentices, having supported over 20 apprentices since we began the course.

“The apprenticeship is an excellent route into becoming a qualified physiotherapist, though at times it can also be very challenging. Watching Faz, Laura and all of the other apprentices develop during the course has been extremely rewarding for us as a university, and we’re very proud of their hard work and efforts which are now really paying off after securing jobs as qualified physios within the University Hospital of North Tees.”

---