Emma Batchelor, consultant physiotherapist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), has returned from Rio de Janeiro where she helped Team GB win a fantastic Olympic gold medal.

Emma is physiotherapist to the Great Britain’s women’s hockey team who were among the star achievers of the 2016 games.

The team drew 3-3 with the Netherlands in the final match, which resulted in a dramatic penalty shoot-out and saw them come away with the top medal.

Emma has a track record in supporting medal winning teams; she also helped Great Britain women’s hockey team win a bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012, which was their first Olympic hockey medal for 20 years. Emma has also worked as a physiotherapist with England Netball.

Emma’s UHB colleagues were supporting Team GB’s journey throughout the Olympics and everyone was really excited to watch the women’s hockey team achieve the gold. Many spotted Emma coming on and off the pitch to aid the injured players.

Yvonne Pettigrew, Associate Director for Therapy Services and AHP Lead, followed the games religiously and said: “Well done to the GB women’s hockey team with Emma Batchelor UHB Consultant Physiotherapist as their team physio! What an achievement, I’m so proud!”

Dame Julie Moore, Chief Executive at UHB, said: “Congratulations to the team and to Emma for her role in supporting their fitness. “It’s a great testament to the NHS and the specialist care we deliver here at the Trust, that one of our members of staff is able to offer her expertise at such a high level of competition – and on the world stage.”

Emma is a consultant physiotherapist and works alongside Dr Kim Gregory within the hospital’s sport and exercise medicine service.

For more information about this NHS service please visit the 'Sport and Exercise Medicine' section of the website.