hempstead valley therapy centre

Your Therapy Team

Stuart Unthank
Stuart Unthank
MCSP MMACP MIFOMT
CLINICAL LEAD
consultant physiotherapist
Director

Stuart has been a Physiotherapist for the past 27 years. He has practised within the UK and abroad within both state-funded, private healthcare and also within professional sporting environments. His range of specialised clinical experience includes:

  • Neuro-musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnostics.
  • Spinal specialism.
  • MSK Diagnostic imaging techniques.
  • Orthopaedic rehabilitation.
  • Sports physiotherapy.

Specialising in Manual therapy techniques as also neuro-musculo-skeletal assessments he has attained Post Graduate qualifications in Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal (NMSK), Sports Physiotherapy and MSK Diagnostic Imaging, as also being certified in modern advancing treatment techniques such as Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT).

A registered member of the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP), Stuart has over the past 19 years led various Multi-Disciplinary (MDT) clinical teams including Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Pharmacy, Health Screening, Podiatry and also Diagnostic Imaging  teams (MRI / CT / Ultra-sound / X-Ray).

Stuart has been a fitness instructor for over 30 years, is an ex-professional sportsman and previously served with HMF.

HTC - Our Team - David Penman
Dr. David Penman
TD, MRcoG
Consultant Gynaecologist
&
Fetal medicine specialist

Dr. Penman studied medicine at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital (now part of King’s College London) and qualified in 1984. 

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital is a world-class institution renowned for the quality of medical teaching it provides and the medical professionals it trains. After graduating from Guy’s and St Thomas’, Dr. Penman went on to work there as a Research Registrar. 

Dr. Penman also worked at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital and at St Michael’s Hospital Bristol where he completed his Senior Registrar Training. 

Dr. Penman was appointed a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Specialist in Fetal Medicine at the Medway Maritime Hospital in 1997. He was also appointed an Honorary Consultant in Fetal Medicine at the Harris Birthright Centre, King’s College Hospital in London.

Dr. Penman resigned from his NHS position in 2006 due to NHS cuts and has worked full-time in private practice ever since. 

Areas in which Dr. Penman specialises include prenatal screening and diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures including amniocentesis and CVS. Dr. Penman’s specialism in fetal medicine means he is highly trained in diagnosing and planning treatment for numerous fetal abnormalities. 

HTC - Praveen Bilagi
Dr Praveen Bilagi
MA ( Cantab) , MBBS, MRCS, FRCR
Consultant Radiologist

Dr Praveen Bilagi is a Consultant Radiologist and has been a Consultant for over 15 years at Medway Maritime Hospital. 

Dr Bilagi qualified from Cambridge University as a Medical undergraduate in 1992  followed by clinical studies at Charing Cross Hospital.

Dr Bilagi gained invaluable experience in several different specialities as a junior doctor including a three-year surgical rotation resulting in MRCS qualification. 

This was then followed by a six-year specialist Radiology training program at Kings College Hospital, London with FRCR in 2004. 

He has been leading the Imaging department at Medway Hospital for over 10 years and he is now the Clinical Director of the Division of Clinical Support Services ( DCSS) at Medway Hospital which includes Imaging.

He is a well-known Radiologist with a large and varied private practice within the region and is the Lead Radiologist for Urology, upper gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal at Medway.

Marcella Thorp
Marcella Thorp
Centre Assistant Manager


Marcella has over 30 years business experience ranging from the insurance industry to private healthcare. 

During this time she attained Diploma level qualifications in Management, Customer Service, Business Administration, and Team Leading.

Previously for a period of 10 years, Marcella acted as part of the leadership team responsible for the organisation, legislative compliance, and customer service standards involved with managing Physiotherapy, Diagnostic Imaging, Pharmaceutical, and Health Screening teams within a private hospital setting. 

Please feel free to speak to Marcella if you have any queries regarding general administrative logistics and provision of our services as also customer satisfaction and billing enquiries, including private medical insurer or medico-legal referral processes.

 

Julie Morley
Julie Morley
Business Development Manager


Julie has over 12 years experience within the business and financial market. During her varied career, her roles have included financial viability analysis, consumer engagement, process refinement, and business initiative promotion.

Julie’s directive with HTC is to promote service spectrum development, client engagement, key stakeholder relationships, and also service satisfaction. Julie is happy to discuss all inquiries relating to HTC’s existing services, enhancement potential, and development opportunities. She is regularly on-site at the centre but may also be contacted via the following email address:

HTC - Our Team- Female
Michelle J
MSc Phys, MCSP, RCN, BN Assistant Clinical Lead Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist & Registered nurse

Michelle initiated her clinical career by graduating with a first-class honours degree from the University of Portsmouth as a Nurse within the Royal Navy.

She went on to complete active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and further trained to become a Critical Care and Trauma Nurse Specialist, before retiring from HMF after 11 years of service.

After spending time with Military Physiotherapists, she decided that this was the direction she wanted to take her clinical career and subsequently completed a Masters Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Essex 11 years ago.

Since qualifying within Physiotherapy, Michelle has focused her attention on Musculoskeletal and Sporting Injuries – working for and managing departments within the private sector, NHS and various Rugby teams across the country.

As well as sports, she has an extensive knowledge of managing pre and post-operative rehabilitation and in addition, retains a passion for working with and treating patients that suffer from chronic issues – such as pain and fatigue.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys open-water swimming, snowboarding and travelling to spend time with family and friends.

Megan Hutchinson
Megan Hutchinson
MSc Osteopathy
Registered Osteopath

Megan graduated with an MSc. from the European School of Osteopathy after 4 years of training on the Integrated Masters program. She has since been active within private practice in a number of multidisciplinary clinics in Kent and Surrey.

Megan treats a wide range of patients from babies through to patients with general musculoskeletal conditions. 

She uses a range of Osteopathic techniques including structural, functional, and cranial techniques allowing her to form an appropriate and effective treatment plan for each patient.

Megan’s clinical specialty interests include babies, pregnant and postpartum women as well as sports injuries. 

In her spare time, Megan enjoys long muddy walks with her dogs, is a keen gym attendee, jogging, and swimming.

Stephanie Unthank
Stephanie Unthank
Level 4 Dipl. IMBDP MBSR
Registered Mindfulness & Wellbeing Consultant

Stephanie received all of her training with Mindfulness UK of which she is now a senior member. She is recognised and registered with The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL) -.GOV and also The Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPAB).

She offers teaching and support for all types of individual therapy requirements including, stress management, anxiety, depression and self-esteem issues. 

However, Stephanie’s service is just as well suited to clients without direct therapeutic needs including self-awareness teaching, objective support such as weight loss or sporting target achievement as also wellness guidance. 

Stephanie also  provides Wellbeing training for large corporations and concerns throughout the UK and regularly provides Wellness articles for a leading magazine. 

In addition, Stephanie has been a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer for over 8 years. 

Karen Mansell
Karen Mansell
MRCOP
MSc Podiatry
Registered Podiatrist / Chiropodist

Karen graduated from the University of Brighton in 2003 completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Podiatry.
She has until 2019 practiced extensively within the National Health Service accruing a number of years gaining experience within multi-disciplinary teams treating a wide spectrum of conditions including high-risk patients.

Karen has also been actively practicing within the private sector. During her professional timeline, Karen has orientated towards specialising in wound care and nail surgery in particular. 

Karen would be your first port of call for all Chiropody type conditions

HTC - Harrison Thornton
Harrison Thornton
BSc Biomed SCIENCE MSc PhysiotherapY MCSP
Registered SENIOR Physiotherapist

Harrison began his career after graduating initially with a Bachelors degree in Biomedical Science before completing a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy at the La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.
He has worked across multiple aged care facilities during his early career, including during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
In early 2021, Harrison moved into the private sector, treating a  wide variety of musculoskeletal
sporting, spinal pathologies,
soft tissue conditions & pre/post operative rehabilitation.
He treats a wide variety of ages from 8 years upwards, is passionate about connecting with his clients, & establishing their goals, thereby creating individualised regimes.
He employs a variety of treatment modalities, including, manual therapy techniques, dry needling, and exercise therapy.
He has also spent the past 2 years working as the head physiotherapist for the local
semi-professional football team; Harrison has recently moved to the U.K in May 2023 with his partner to pursue a
new challenge. Outside of work he’s eager to make new friends
and travel. You’ll likely find him
at the local gym or playing football and badminton.

HTC - Krupa Mehta
Krupa Mehta
MCSP
BSC Physiotherapy
MSc Sport & Exercise Medicine
Hatha Yoga & Mat Pilates instructor
REGISTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Following completion of her bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy, Krupa attained a master’s degree in sport and exercise medicine from Leeds Beckett University to further enhance her skills and knowledge associated with the science within human movements and sports.

Krupa has worked within various fields including young football players, pre- & post operative sports injuries, acute musculoskeletal conditions, and chronic back patients. 

Krupa is a qualified yoga and pilates instructor and believes in the concept of performing mindful movements to stay healthy and keep fit. 

 She uses a combination of treatments to aid in rehabilitation – manual therapy, mobilisation, electro-therapy, and rehab exercises specific to goals for improving mobility, strength, endurance and balance.

In her spare time, you will find her travelling, doing pilates and dancing.  Her physical ethos is to find the right balance and pursue what you enjoy the most.

HTC - Team - Sabine Gransden
Sabine Gransden
DipION, mBANT, CNHC
Registered Nutritionist

Sabine graduated from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) in London in 2014 after 3 years of training to complete a diploma in Nutritional Therapy. 

She then completed her Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner certification in 2016 to add coaching techniques to her skill set.  

She specialises in thyroid health. Sabine assesses and identifies potential imbalances in the body and understands how these may contribute to a client’s symptoms and health concerns. 

Sabine recommends personalised nutrition and lifestyle programs and typically helps her clients improve their energy levels, sleep, mood, and digestion. 

After working with Sabine, they are more resilient to stress, lose weight, and feel more balanced and happy. Overall, she helps her clients become the healthiest version of themselves.

HTC - Our Team - Paul McBride
Paul McBride
BSc (hons)
Sports Science
MSc (hons)
Sport, Exercise & Physical activity

Paul has a BSc First Class Honors Degree in Sports Science  and an MSc First Class Honors Degree in Sport, Exercise and Physical activity.

He has worked within the health and fitness industry for the past 8 years.

Over the past 4 years, he has also worked in offering health screenings services for individuals or companies whose employees are looking to improve or maintain their health and wellbeing. 

Paul is a Health Advisor/ Exercise Rehabilitation specialist who loves helping people get back to full health following an injury/illness or helping those who want to live a healthy balanced lifestyle.

HTC - Samantha Robinson
Samantha robinson
mRCN
VTCT L3 Diploma Reflexology
MSC Healthcare Leadership
BSC Health & Social Care
Registered Nurse
REFLEXOLOGIST & INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE THERAPIST

Sam qualified as a nurse in 1992 and worked within the NHS for 32 years until 2021.  She held a variety of clinical roles mainly focusing on the care of the older person and supporting people and families living with dementia but has also worked non-clinically within nurse education and human resources managing learning & development and resourcing teams.  

She gained her VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology and Indian Head Massage.  She is a passionate advocate for individual health and well-being .

Sam is registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council and the Complementary Therapists Association

HTC - Our Team - Lauren Russell
Lauren Russell
MSosT
BSc Sports Therapy
REGISTERED SPORTS & REHABILITATION THERAPIST

Lauren, since a young age, has had a passion for sports, especially competitive swimming, and competed from the age of 12 up to 18 for her swimming club.

This interest eventually led to her qualifying with a degree in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Kent in 2016.

In addition, Lauren is also a qualified Level 2 ASA Swimming Instructor.

Lauren states that Massage, in its various forms, is a versatile tool in aiding and treating different Musculoskeletal ailments. It can be used at various stages of rehab and can also be utilised to prevent and reduce factors that can lead to injuries happening in the first place.

Rob McDonald
Rob McDonald
Dipl Lv3 SP & Massage
Dipl. Lv3 Sports
Massage & Remedial Exercise Therapist

Rob is Diploma Level 3 qualified in Sports Massage therapy, taping, injury management techniques & exercise therapy. 

He has been a massage & sports injury therapist for 10 years and has worked with a varied spectrum of clients ranging from chronic medical conditions to sports injuries.

Rob states that he has a passion for using sports, exercise and massage to aid and assist clients from all walks of life back to full function. 

As with all therapists at HTC Rob interacts closely with the centre’s clinical practitioners on inter-referral and clinical therapy guidance.

Lucy Dante
Lucy Dante
VTCT Dipl. Lv3
Massage Therapist

Lucy qualified with a Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy in 2020.

She is currently an undergraduate, studying in her final year degree, a Bachelors in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, at the University of Kent.

As a league football player, Lucy fully understand the importance of massage for muscle recovery and the positive impacts on sports performance, posture, flexibility, blood flow as also i relation to occupational activities and general well-being.

As with all complimentary therapists at HTC Lucy communicates closely with the centres clinical practitioners on inter-referral and treatment guidance.

 

James McDonald
James McDonald
Pilates Instructor

James is a Pilates Instructor here at HTC.

He has taught Pilates for over 7 years. Core training has been a key part of other exercise programs he has run for over 20 years.

Pilates is a form of low impact exercise focused on core and pelvic floor strength.

Core exercises help to develop the muscles of the pelvis, lower back, hips, and abdomen allowing them to work in unison. This aids in facilitating such
as: Improved stability, balance and flexibility, increased mobility, energy, and performance, decreased back pain, risk of injury, incontinence issues and stress.

James seeks to ensure his are classes relaxed and accessible to all, offering a welcoming atmosphere and adaptations to suit varying levels of abilities allowing individuals to progress at their own pace.

Emma Dickinson
Emma Dickinson
Yoga Instructor

Emma is a yoga teacher here at HTC and has practiced this exercise format for a total of 10 years

She has completed over 200 hours in Core strength yoga techniques and has taught this particular style of yoga for the past 3 years.

Emma has continued to qualify in Yin, Restorative and Yoga shred techniques.

Her aim is to deliver a class that will enable everyone
to discover movement in their body with ease.

Sarah Kaufman
Sarah Kaufman
Receptionist
Administrator

Sarah worked within the finance industry for over 20 years with a career focus on customer service and client relationships. 

In addition to this, her experience with service delivery, process-driven service organisation as also refinement is expansive.

HTC - Kristine Castillo
Kristine Castillo
Marketing Design Coordinator
BSc. Multimedia Arts and Sciences

Kristine is a multimedia artist specialising in digital design and traditional illustrations. As
well as various other contemporary art forms.
She completed her Bachelor of Science in Multi-Media Science & Art in 2020.
She has over the past 3 years started and maintained an online art business providing
commissions from and for various social media platforms to improve her craft and apply it
within a spectrum of professional context.
Kristine has to date completed over a hundred well received commissions some of which are
on display in Hempstead Therapy Centre.
During her time as a freelance artist, Kristine promoted and maintained several social media,
multi-platform sites as well as her own website, successfully generating increased activity
and a wider customer base.
These are skills she now uses as part of the Hempstead Therapy Centre team to promote the
various healthcare opportunities and well-being initiatives available.
Kristine is a dedicated artist who wants to help others receive the care they need at
Hempstead Therapy Centre and will do so by making sure our information designs are easy
to read and accessible to everyone.
In her spare time, she works on improving her craft, by continuing to study her subject
independently. She also enjoys scrapbooking and video technology.
Her aspiration is to one day be counted amongst the top of her field, by making small
improvements one day at a time.

Julie Hollis
Julie Hollis
Receptionist
Administrator

Julie retains extensive senior experience within the finance sector stretching over the past 30 years. 

Her focus/expertise lies within process-driven environments and in ensuring excellent customer service.

 

HTC - Our Team - Hayley Magee
Hayley Magee
receptionist
administrator

Hello, I am Hayley. Having worked in the finance industry for over 30 years, customer service was always my priority. I enjoy being part of a team, working together, sharing different skills and knowledge. I have also worked in the retail industry for several years, enjoying customer interaction and service. In my spare time, I love to cook, bake, read, travel, and socialise.

Jane Phillips
Jane Phillips
Receptionist
Administrator

Jane has worked within the sales and consumer service industry for over 30 years. During this time she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience relating to customer care, effective service provision, and organisational skills. Jane considers client satisfaction levels to be a priority within her role(s).

Joanna Godman
Joanna Godman
rcn
Receptionist
Administrator
Registered nurse

Joanna has been a Registered Nurse for the past 21 years, caring for people in the local communities of Medway & Swale.
She enjoys working closely with Therapists and Clinical Practitioners to provide efficient and hollistic patient care.

Prior to her extensive nursing career, Joanna worked in a fast-paced front-line administration role.  Customer service and a welcoming approach have always been her priority.
In her spare time, she is an active member of The Oasthouse Theatre in Rainham.

HTC - Leah Easom
Leah Easom
Receptionist
Administrator

Leah is currently in her first year as a student, studying at The European School of Osteopathy.

Her previous employment experience is within administrative roles associated with  accountancy as well as within retail environments.

Leah enjoys being part of a clinical environment and considers herself to be industrious with organisation as an essential component of her activities.

In her spare time Leah swims for Sittingbourne and Milton Swimming Club, where she also coaches the younger swimmers.

Other sports she enjoys watching in her spare time include football and Formula 1.

HTC - Lisa Roberts (1)
Lisa Roberts
Administrative Assistant

Lisa has, for the past 35 years been employed within administration roles. In particular, she has been active within the insurance sector for 30 years. She prides herself on providing, as a priority, excellent customer service and a welcoming approach.

She works well within a team environment and retains effective organisational skills.  She is happy to assist with all and any inquiries.

In her spare time, she relaxes with cooking, reading and socialising.

In addition, she enjoys traveling abroad to various destinations.