A Plumstead physiotherapist who introduced the first prison rehabilitation service of its kind in the UK has received a prestigious national award for her work.

Helen Jefford, a physiotherapist at Plumstead Health Centre, picked up the award for enhancing patient dignity and standards of care at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s Awards in central London.

Ms Jefford, who specialises in obsrtructive pulmonary diseases like bronchitis and emphysema, led the initiative at the category C Maidstone prison, where prisoners were involved in a twice-weekly programme for seven weeks and reassessed on completion. 

Her programme worked to reduced patients' breathlessness, teaching them ways to control their illness.

The programme recorded significant improvements in patient health and cost savings through reduced A&E visits - where the price of escorting an offender to an outpatient setting is £1,000 per visit. 

Society chairman Sue Rees said: "Maidstone prisoners now have access to an evidence-based, NICE recommended programme of care, thanks to the hard work of Helen and her team, which has resulted in patients needing fewer appointments through faster access to the right medication."