A PAIR of Newcastle Physiologists have been selected from almost two hundred of their colleagues from across the country to win two top awards.
Health and Wellbeing Physiologists Gavin Watt and Aidan Innes both work at Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital and have scooped two of just five awards given out nationally each year by Nuffield Health to staff across the organisation’s health and wellbeing centres.
Gavin has been awarded Nuffield Health Physiologist of the Year, the second year in a row he has received a gong, while Aidan has been awarded Nuffield Health Academy Physiologist of the Year, awarded to a Physiologist in their first 12-18 months of employment.
Hospital sales & services manager Chris Land said the recognition had really put Newcastle Hospital on the map as a centre of excellence for physiology.
He said: “We are very proud of the service we offer here in Newcastle and for Gavin and Aidan to both be selected from the 180 or so Physiologists working at our health and wellbeing centres across the whole of the UK is testament to their skill and dedication.”
Health and Wellbeing Physiologists are trained healthcare professionals who work to help people reduce their risk of illness and maximise their health and wellbeing.
Gavin Watt joined Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital in August 2012 having completed both an undergraduate degree in Sports and Exercise Science, and a postgraduate degree in Clinical Physiology from Northumbria University.
He was joined in September 2014 by Aidan Innes who had undertaken a research masters’ degree from the University ofStirling having gained a first class honours degree in Sports and Exercise Science from Heriot-Watt University.
Aidan, 25, said: “Our role as Physiologists is varied – we carry out health assessments, give advice and help clients elicit lifestyle changes in areas such as exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress management, which is all designed to help people feel fitter and healthier.
“These awards are fantastic news for Newcastle, it gives our clients even greater confidence in the service we provide and is great recognition for myself, Gavin and the rest of the team.”
Justin Jones, Nuffield Health’s national physiology manager, commented: “Newcastle has shone as a location for physiology in our national awards with two very worthy winners.
“Gavin, in addition to his fantastic performance in his ‘day job’, has co-developed an extremely popular training course on the impact of sleep on health and wellbeing.
“Aidan is an invaluable team member in Newcastle and nationally as an Expert Panel Physiologist, offering research support to the Senior Physiology Management Team, and as a member of the Clinical Wellbeing Expert Advisory Group. I congratulate them both for their outstanding work.”