Go Furness

South Lakeland Physiotherapy

Polly was one of the three finalists in the Cumbria Business Woman of the Year Awards and it is no surprise to me. Sarah Dunning won the competition, but Polly definitely got my vote!

I first met Polly when I broke my ankle about 7 years ago. I asked her to come and see me because I couldn’t drive and lived out in the country. My leg was just out of plaster, and I was suffering because it had been set in a twisted position. I couldn’t put it on the floor. Following the first visit I could hobble and after the second visit 2 days later I could walk and drive! To me she was nothing short of a miracle worker.

Polly finished her training in 1994 and worked in Furness General consolidating her learning. As chance would have it, she was then asked to work privately at Abbey Park. Perhaps this was a bit of a risk for a newly qualified physio to leave the security of the NHS. From there she set up practice with Andrea Frost in 1999 and began the steep learning curve of becoming a business woman. It wasn’t an easy transition, as they built up the practice over the next few years. Having said this, they did have a good start as they were able to take some of the fund holding patients from Abbey Park. Sadly, Andrea got cancer, was ill and couldn’t work for a long time and eventually died. This was a really tough time for Polly as she had to deal with her patients, Andrea’s patients, the business and the loss of her friend and colleague. But Polly came through the experience and has seen the practice grow from strength to strength. There have been times when Polly has seen about 60–70 patients a week.

She now employs another physio and a receptionist and cleaning staff. She also rents rooms out to an orthopaedic doctor, a chiropodist, and medical legal expert, the ‘botox boys’ (two GPs offering botox), alternative health practitioners and solicitors.

Polly’s practice has grown through word of mouth. She has done little promotion and has not had many returns from the promotion that she has done. However, her work speaks for her. She has excellent relationships with the NHS and often gets post operative referrals. Her patients tell others about her and there are always more patients to see than hours in the day.

As well as being an excellent practitioner, Polly has exceptionally high standards of care and customer service. She says that her concern and care for her patients is the single most significant factor of her success.

Her Challenges?

• Finding and employing chartered physios in the area who are experienced enough and are an asset to the business.
• Being so busy working in the business that she has often not had time to work on the business or to see what kind of support is available. She has not had any financial assistance.
• She has not known how to find out what kind of assistance is available and she has struggled at times keeping up with expenses and rates, for instance the expense of disposing of rubbish.

Despite this, she has been committed to success and has worked with integrity, honesty and determination. Her advice to anyone setting up business would be to explore all the avenues of support, look for grant assistance and run your business instead of your business running you. Take time to step away from it and look at it objectively instead of subjectively. I hear it on good authority that these words of wisdom are actually from her husband and Polly adds: “Never plagiarise!”

Polly’s humour and sense of fun is a breath of fresh air, she is so down-to-earth and unassuming. These qualities are what make her one of Barrow’s finest characters. I would not hesitate to refer anyone to see her. She has not got a website but can be found at 58 Hartington St if you ever need a first class physio. 01229 832855.

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Posted by Kay Hebbourn on 14th November.