Rachael Hutchinson

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon for more than 16 years

Masters degree in functional analysis

Specialised training in neurodisability

Completing Master's Degree in Public Health Medicine

Co-founder Able2B

Medical Classifier for British Para-swimming

Lead Medical Classifier British Disability Table Tennis

REPs Level 2 Fitness Instructor Children & Adults

Originally from Norwich, Rachael completed her medical training in Leeds and the majority of her orthopaedic training in Sheffield, working regularly at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. During this time she also completed a post-graduate degree (MD) in gait analysis and assessment of function. Fellowships in America and Melbourne, Australia further added to her experience of working with children with orthopaedic and neurodisability problems.

She returned to Norwich in 2008 to take up her post as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, treating both children and adult patients.

Her main areas of interest lie in optimising function in individuals whether at elite sport level or with a disability, she feels strongly that all everyone can improve on their physical abilities if they have a good understanding of their own personal body function in relation to their balance of range of motion over strength and control.

Her past work involved setting up and running regular NHS clinics for cerebral palsy patients being part of an experienced multi-disciplinary team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. She also treats complex foot and ankle problems, still working for the NHS part-time.

She is passionate in wanting to insure that all individuals, whatever their ability have the opportunity to succeed and have the same experiences/opportunities in life that she would expect for her family and friends. This led to her co-founding Able2B where she works as a volunteer to allow her to use her expertise in an effective way. Utilising Sport's Medicine principles used to optimise an elite athlete adapted to both physical and learning disabilities has achieved out-standing outcomes in gaining independence for clients and shown outcomes far better than her surgery alone has been able to do.

Rachel most recently appearing on Sports Personality of the Year 2023 as the Unsung Hero for the East Region for the services she has achieved at Able2B.
Able2B has grown massively over just 5 years showing the need and also the success of the service both functionally but also from a cost-effective perspective. Rachael's goal is to see the methods they are using that are unique in the UK, used in other centres across the UK and as part of the NHS social prescribing initiative.