Ben shares his NHS story

Ben Matthews, Physiotherapist and First Contact Practioner is taking part of Glastonbury Festival celebration event. He shares his NHS memories. Ben wanted to be a physiotherapist since high school.

I swam competitively during my high school days and this led to some injuries. Working with a physio and getting back to a sport I loved made me realise that I wanted to provide that same help to others, to help them get back to what they had lost.

After studying physiotherapy at Plymouth University nearly 11 years ago I worked in a variety of NHS trusts over these years. I love exercise and believe in trying to help improve people’s health and wellbeing through it.

Now I run clinics throughout the east of Somerset specialising in upper and lower limb conditions, as well as being a First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care.  This varied job role, helping people as well as allowing me to work alongside some awesome clinicians gives me immense satisfaction.

The NHS for me is inherently British. It is something that I am proud of. One of the reasons I work for the NHS is I want my skills to be free to the people who need it. Fundamentally the reason I and I believe other people work in the healthcare sector is because we care and want to help people. Working in the NHS always feels as though you are part of a team, your small one is part of a bigger team which is part of an institution.

I have been very fortunate and have also received onward training funded through the NHS going towards a masters, this is something else that the NHS can provide, opportunities for its workers to develop their skills, as well healthcare to the population.