Laura Moloney

What are the main responsibilities in your role?

As the Acute therapy service manager, I provide oversight and leadership in how acute therapy services run at Airedale Hospital. This includes the implementation of major trauma pathways within the Trust. I work closely with the clinical lead for Major Trauma at Airedale, Dr Alex Danecki, and the orthopaedic and surgical therapy teams to look at ways we can improve the care and rehabilitation we provide our patients who have sustained major trauma. I continue to work clinically “hands on” in orthopaedics where I provide specialist assessment and treatment for major trauma patients, ensuring their rehabilitation is individualised to the patient's needs.

I am also involved in the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts rehabilitation network group where different members from the multi-disciplinary team (including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors, speech & language therapists, and Day One trauma support charity, etc) discuss best practice, share knowledge and skills, and look for ways in which we can improve the entire major trauma pathway from the Major Trauma Centre in Leeds to all the surrounding Trauma Units.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I enjoy working with a wide variety of professionals when supporting a patient who has sustained major trauma. I also value all the incredibly knowledgeable and skilled clinicians I have met and learned from over the years, we all share a motivation to ensure we provide the best possible care for a patient in what can be the scariest time in their life. 

What is the most important aspect of delivering excellent patient care? 

Always striving to improve the care we provide our patients, our own practice, and the clinical pathways we serve such as Major Trauma are key in delivering excellent patient care. The value in training and education to ensure we have the right people in the right place at the right time is vital.

Tell us something people are surprised to find out about you.

In my free time I play basketball. Controversially, I have played for both Ireland and England.