Rachael Durrans

Rachael is a clinical and academic physiotherapist and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she has worked at the university since 2019. Rachael is currently completing a PhD program and her research explores pressure ulcer prevention equipment, with a particular interest in maintaining patients’ independence and mobility.

Rachael has worked in a variety of settings following the completion of her initial degree in Sports Therapy, where she worked with a variety of football and rugby teams. She then moved into Post Graduate study, qualifying as a physiotherapist and her clinical experience covers a wide range of areas such as inpatient stroke, respiratory, trauma orthopaedics, MSK outpatients and intermediate care. Before moving to the university Rachael specialised in inpatient therapy, covering the acute medical, elderly and orthopaedic wards, along with a ‘blurred boundary’ role working in A&E and MAU to help with hospital admission avoidance. Rachael is particularly passionate about maintaining patients’ functional independence and reducing deconditioning of individuals.

Rachael is an advisor for Stryker, an international medical technology company and is involved in several projects with them alongside her university career.