Welcome Back to Claire Firth, one of Activ’s Founding Members who will be Managing Our NEW Activ Work Service

This month, we are delighted to welcome back Clare Firth MSCP, our ACTIV WORK director and physiotherapist who is one of Activ's founding members. Her specialised assessments enable her to investigate why an employee is not working effectively and advise them and their employer how they can both act on her suggestions to improve a workstation or working environment – whether it’s a company workplace, factory floor or home office.

Clare Firth has re-joined our Activ team as our Activ Work director & physiotherapist

Clare, who qualified as a physiotherapist in 2000 from the University of Salford with a First Class Honours Degree, has utiised her troubleshooting workplace expertise in a wide range of work environments.

She said: ‘I have provided work-based assessments at physiotherapy clinics and various types of industry to assist employees with health conditions and advise them on how to access speedy treatment to keep them fit for work. I’ve visited many different organisations from banks and call centres, to government organisations and factories, to nuclear power plants and even a bull stud farm! I think this is why I enjoy the ergonomic work as I get to travel and see so many different work environments. It really is so interesting!’

On graduating, Clare began her first role as a qualified Physiotherapist at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

‘That’s where I met Andy as we started our first jobs together on the same day!’

After working at the Hallamshire and Jessops Hospitals for four years as a musculoskeletal and women's health physio, Clare moved to the private sector and, in 2004, she embarked on her Occupational Health career ‘by accident’ when treating a patient.

‘I needed to assess their workplace to see if their work was aggravating their shoulder pain. From then, my work based physiotherapy began to take off so I took a qualification in Occupational Health Physio and it escalated from there. I never really went into Occupational Health intentionally; it flowed naturally alongside my Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and the two complement each other nicely.’

In 2007, Clare opened Bradway Physio Clinic and after becoming pregnant in 2009. Georgina, who was moving locally and looking for work, came to work with her.

‘The clinic grew and, as Andy and I had kept in touch, we decided to merge Bradway Physio Clinic with Andy's Totley clinic. George had also opened Hope clinic by that point, so joined as well to merge the three clinics as one – to become Activ Physiotherapy.’

During this time, the Occupational Health component of Clare’s work continued to grow, taking her away from working in the clinic. In 2019, due to commitments at home and the nature of the work, she left Activ Physiotherapy and has worked independently since.

With regards to the ergonomic work Clare provides in her ACTIV WORK role, she offers standard DSE (Display Screen Equipment) assessments that all office based staff need to have through their employer as a legal requirement under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations (2002). The law applies to employees at a fixed workstation, mobile workers and ‘hot-desk’ workers who may change desks regularly.

‘There is a legal obligation to risk assess all employees that use screens for an hour or more each day as a regular part of their work. If it is identified from this assessment that there may be a problem with a health condition or pain, or with their equipment – so an in-depth advanced assessment is required. This is where I come in to provide that advanced level assessment.’

Clare explains that standard office equipment is designed to fit most people.

‘However, people who are taller or shorter, bigger or smaller or who have health complaints may not be suitable for standard equipment.’

This is often highlighted as someone requiring an advanced assessment.

‘Here we take measurements to ensure the correct size of equipment is recommended to allow a good fit and sufficient postural support, to help improve an employee’s comfort levels.’

She is keen to point out that ACTIV WORK is not linked to any equipment providers.

‘We are completely independent therefore what brand or type of equipment we use and where it is purchased is up to the employer. However, support with purchasing the appropriate equipment can be provided.’

If you would like to make a booking with Clare or find out more about ACTIV WORK DSE Assessments (Clare is currently working with Sheffield clients only) or anything else about this new physiotherapy service we offer for employees (whether company-based or working from home) please call us at the Totley clinic on 0114 235 2727.