This month Advanced Neuro Rehab (ANR) turned 15 years old! It is always nice to reflect on how far we have come since those early days!
In 2005 Nicole and I decided to start up a private clinic with a specialist focus on Neurological and Vestibular rehabilitation. We had gained some valuable experience after 4 years working and studying in the UK. Nicole’s last role was as Superintendent Physiotherapists at The Bobath Centre in London, and I was working as Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist (Neurology) at St Georges Hospital, London. We both really enjoyed our jobs, but with a young family on the way, the call of Adelaide was just too strong!
Private work began as 2 afternoons in a rented room in North Adelaide, with me treating patients and Nicole taking bookings on the mobile, while looking after a newborn baby. Back then our clinic was called James McLoughlin NeuroPhysiotherapy. Gradually the demand for our services grew, including our waiting list, and we moved to Glen Osmond with more space and consulting hours. We also began our service at Brighton before moving to Hove, which made it easier for our clients from the southern suburbs.
A few more years flew by, and we then met Jane O’ Donoghue who was starting a new musculoskeletal practice, Physiosmart. Jane was a fantastic support as our practice manager during this period and we shared the premises with Jane at 63 Portrush Rd Payneham. Both businesses continued to grow, before another move for both clinics to the more spacious 296 Payneham Road.
The past 9 years has been a story of continued growth, with more staff, new ideas, more services including home visits, hydrotherapy, professional development courses, a name change, and a new clinic at Unley. Advanced Neuro Rehab has developed into a leader in the field with experienced staff that have helped a countless number of people across the state (and beyond!). During this period many of our staff completed further study in Neurological Physiotherapy at Flinders University and Nicole also did some extra training in the Bobath concept. I completed a PhD at the University of New South Wales in 2014, while also being involved in an advocacy role on the Australian Physiotherapy Association SA Branch Council during an interesting period of change in SA Health and the beginning of the NDIS.
Over the journey ANR has continued to provide the best care, support, and advocacy for our clients. In addition, we remain involved in the education of health professionals across the country through university programs and professional development courses, plus we are involved in many important research projects. We remain involved in community education with talks, radio segments, social media posts and our new website.
Our 15th birthday coincides with another new and exciting chapter in the ANR story. Next month (March 2021), our Payneham clinic is moving 400 meters down the road to 283 Payneham Rd Royston Park. This new clinic allows us to provide an even more comprehensive service, easier accessibility, more space, new specialist equipment and 2 new gymnasiums!
We look forward to sharing this new space with you at your next appointment, or at our official opening event, to be announced soon. We look forward to continuing to provide an excellent service for many years to come. If the last 15 years have taught us anything, it is that passion, dedication, and hard work make working at Advanced Neuro Rehab an absolute pleasure!
Dr James McLoughlin,
Director, Advanced Neuro Rehab
