Isle of Wight physiotherapist awarded national fellowship for shaping national frailty care

Consultant Practitioner Dr Esther Clift has been awarded a Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, recognising her outstanding dedication, expertise and contributions to the profession.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy highlighted Esther's "major influence on frailty, community rehabilitation and healthy ageing across the UK", leading on developing a national framework into frailty care. They added: "In doing so, she has helped to define standards, strengthen career pathways and support the ambition to deliver more care closer to home."

Reflecting on receiving her award, Esther shared: "I have had a chance to reflect on the accolade of the award and feel very thankful for the opportunities and people who enabled me to have such a rewarding and full career.

"It leads me to consider my own legacy, and the joy of continuing to grow my amazing Acute Frailty Team at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, who are already having an impact on the lives and health of people living with frailty on the Island."

Awarded at a ceremony in Glasgow on 19 October, she joins a handful of physiotherapists who have championed the profession, providing long lasting change to their sector of work.

With a career spanning more than three decades, Esther’s journey into physiotherapy began in London in 1990, eventually bringing her to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust in January 2024 as an Acute Frailty Consultant Practitioner, where she developed and now leads the Acute Frailty Team. Her career has combined frontline clinical work with developing Trust services and mentoring on a national scale, including her roles as National Specialty Advisor within Older People and Community Service at NHS England, and as a Consultant Practitioner at the former Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, where she built a new team supporting older people to remain at home when acutely unwell.

She also educates young clinicians beginning their careers at the University of Winchester where, as a Senior Lecturer, she is developing a Community Rehabilitation with a second award on Professional Practice, with modules covering healthy ageing and long-term health conditions.

Ian Scrase, Lead Allied Health Professional, Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: " As a physiotherapy student, I saw first-hand Esther’s passion for improving care for older people and ensuring that what matters to patients remains central to decision-making. That commitment has continued throughout her career.

"Today, as a Physiotherapy Consultant leading frailty services on the Isle of Wight, Esther influences patient care while supporting colleagues, students and the wider development of our profession. Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy recognises exceptional contribution and impact on physiotherapy, and I can think of no more fitting recognition of Esther’s sustained influence, leadership and commitment."

Outside of Esther's work as a consultant practitioner, she dedicates herself to voluntary efforts, including her earlier work as a Mission Partner from 1995 to 2002, and more recently her role as a Chair of Trustees for Caraway, which offers chaplaincy and dementia services to older people in Southampton.