Dr Abi Hall

Qualifying as a physiotherapist in 2004, Abi specialises in the management and rehabilitation of frail older people. In 2015 she decided to combine this clinical interest alongside a research career and therefore undertook a PhD exploring the rehabilitation of community based people with dementia following hip fracture which was completed in 2019.

Abi worked as a post-doctoral research fellow on a large HTA funded multi-centre RCT undertaking the process evaluation arm of the trial. The trial explored the use of an extended rehabilitation programme to frail older people based in the community.

Following completion of this project, Abi was awarded an NIHR/HEE Bridging Award to continue her own research and secured funding from the School of Primary Care Research to further develop her research relating to older people living with dementia who fracture their hip.

In 2024 Abi completed a School of Primary Care Research post doctoral fellowship and is currently the Chief Investigator for a feasibility study exploring the use of a new walking frame in community settings. Alongside this, Abi works for NHS Devon as the AHP Faculty Lead supporting and developing workforce strategies for Allied Health Professionals. More recently, Abi has undertaken research projects relating to workforce challenges for these professions.

She plans to apply for an NIHR Advanced Fellowship in the near future in order to continue this emerging interest in workforce research.