Gilmour Piper, the multi-disciplinary healthcare clinic in Ipswich, has welcomed a number of positive changes over the last year.
Physiotherapist Paul Berry, who joined the team in 2009, became a partner in October last year. Paul is an extended scope practitioner and an advanced clinical specialist, and has moved from combining his practice work with a role in the NHS, to full time focus at Gilmour Piper.
He joins Mark Newman, who has been working at Gilmour Piper for over 20 years and has been a partner for 13 years. Mark has a masters degree in Musculoskeletal Practice and has previous experience of working for the NHS and at Ipswich Town Football Club Academy.
Paul said: “I am delighted to join Mark and the fantastic team here at Gilmour Piper in a full-time capacity.
“Already working here since 2009 has given me an appreciation and insight into the incredible work that occurs on a daily basis.
“I feel privileged to have been offered this role and am looking forward to continuing and further growing the excellent reputation of the practice.”
Mark said: “Paul’s full of energy, a really good and highly qualified physio, who’s very professional and has lots of good ideas to move the practice forward.”
After the challenge of the pandemic, and having to shut for nearly two months, Mark said: “It’s been nice over the past 18 months to be thinking forward again.”
In the last year, as well as making Paul a partner, Gilmour Piper has welcomed several new members to the team. 
These include trusted local audiologists Karen Finch and Teresa Sadler of All About Hearing, paediatric surgeon Graeme Carlile, paediatric rheumatologist Dr Peter Bale, soft tissue therapist Judy DiFiore and physiotherapist Benjamin Dixon.
In that time, women’s health specialists Dr Helen Macpherson and Dr Rhianna Davies, who run a menopause clinic, have also joined the team.
In addition, Sarah Harvey, a physiotherapist with a specialism in pelvic health, will soon help patients with conditions such as stress incontinence, overactive bladder, prolapse and pain on intercourse at the healthcare clinic.
Gilmour Piper has been serving local patients for more than 30 years, and though the firm’s partners and services have changed in that time, its core values remain the same.
"We treat people with respect and kindness, using experience and tried and tested methods, while keeping up with the latest research and developments in our chosen specialties for treatment,” said Mark.
“We listen to our patients, explain our findings and help them to achieve their goals with empathy and support.”
The main services at the healthcare clinic are physiotherapy and osteopathy. The nine-strong physiotherapy team includes partners Mark and Paul, while the clinic has four osteopaths.
Once a week, these teams meet with spinal surgeon Rob Lovell to discuss any difficult cases. “We try to find the best way forward for our patients,” explained Mark.
Gilmour Piper is also known for its podiatry and Pilates. There are four members of the podiatry team headed up by Alison Wareham covering all needs from routine foot care to minor surgeries and orthotics, and three Pilates teachers.
Michael Mann has been teaching Pilates for more than 40 years, and worked at Shrubland Hall Health Clinic before it closed in 2008.
Meanwhile, osteopath Katie Witherley and physiotherapist Grace Lander are both trained in Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) Pilates.
Gilmour Piper also runs a range of other services, including yoga that is offered by chartered physiotherapist and yoga practitioner Louise Kenworthy.
Personal training is offered by Richard Farrar. Richard specializes in exercise referral for a range of health conditions. He is also a cancer exercise rehabilitation specialist, and works with people living with and beyond cancer. Richard helped to establish the ‘Fit For Life’ cancer prehabilitation and rehabilitation programme at Ipswich Hospital.
Gilmour Piper also offers nutritional therapy thanks to Rose Paul. Nutritional therapist Rose helps patients to use nutrition and lifestyle changes to improve health conditions. She has a special interest in female hormone balance and works with many conditions, including menopause and endometriosis.
The majority of patients come from word-of-mouth referrals, thanks to the professional and welcoming team, including the receptionists, practitioners and partners.
“It’s a friendly place to work,” explained Mark. “We know everyone really well here. There’s quite a family feel and everybody’s on the same page.”
Gilmour Piper’s patients agree. Ian Watson said: “I have been very pleased with everyone at the practice, from reception to the partners.
“Nothing has been too much trouble with time taken to properly explain exactly what is going on, meaning I can make informed decisions that are in my best interests.
“I would not hesitate to recommend Gilmour Piper to anyone experiencing musculoskeletal issues.”
Personal trainer Kat Parnell said: “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Mark Newman since rupturing my ACL playing football back in September 2022.
“Mark has been a consistent support since diagnosing the injury straight away, and organising a scan within the week of seeing me.
“His professionalism and expertise have been on point & I have felt at ease throughout, knowing I could contact Mark anytime for some reassurance and quality advice.”
She added: “I would never have believed I could have gone on to divert from surgery, and build a strong enough base around the impairment, to kick 16 minutes off my marathon PB in London with 3:06, get back to coaching confidently at Power Hour, and win the Boss Hog this weekend.
“The confidence he has installed in me over the past year I cannot thank him enough for.”
Though Gilmour Piper’s core values remain, it is always developing. “I am quite proud of where we are at the moment,” concluded Mark. “It’s due to a lot of hard work from everyone involved here.”
Gilmour Piper is situated at 10 Fonnereau Road, Ipswich, IP1 3JP. For more info, visit gilmourpiper.co.uk or call 01473 217592.
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