Mark Smith

Senior Clinical Services Manager

As manager of Steeper Clinic private services and also the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust Orthotic service, I am privileged to work with a hardworking, dedicated team of orthotists who strive towards providing the best possible orthotic treatments through good biomechanical principles and evidence based practice.

Since qualifying with an Honours degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Strathclyde University in 1998, I have been able to gain competencies in many orthotic treatment modalities through working in a variety of different clinics in the NHS and privately. 

As an experienced clinician myself, I regularly get involved in providing presentations and seminars on orthotics and biomechanics to colleagues and other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists. I enjoy this part of my role as it allows me to increase awareness of orthotics and the treatments that we get involved in.

With Bond Solon training in report writing, I am able to produce quality legal reports for court purposes.

As a keen runner and cyclist myself, I enjoy working with athletes and helping them achieve their goals whilst remaining injury free. I enjoy spending time with my family at the weekend and enjoying the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.

Kate Chauhan

Clinical Specialist Orthotist

I have been practising as an Orthotist since qualification in 2002 from the University of Salford.

I have been fortunate enough to work in the highly specialised areas of clinical practice including cranial remoulding, working with the STARband since 2010 and have completed Orthomerica’s Advanced Cranial Training Program to be awarded the title of 'STARband Cranial Educator'. I was very proud to be asked to be the resident expert on Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show when they completed a debate on the treatment of Plagiocephaly. I love meeting and helping the families and seeing the improvements in head shape that the treatment gives. It is very rewarding to be in a position to help babies and families at such an important time in their life.

I have worked for Steeper Group since qualification based in Leeds, in both the NHS community clinics and acute services of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. I specialised in supporting children with neurodevelopmental, muscular skeletal conditions, in collaboration with my colleagues in physiotherapy, orthopaedics and paediatric surgery. I also maintain a small case load of adult patients with complex musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.

I was promoted to Paediatric Clinical Specialist in 2006, and take an active role in the training of new students and graduates within the trust and the company. I am currently leading a group of Orthotists within Steeper to develop evidence based best practice guidelines for treatments that benefit from orthotic management.

I am currently undertaking an NIHR/HEE MSc in clinical research which is allowing me to develop my academic skills but also enhances my clinical practice. I am undertaking research investigating the experiences of living with pectus carinatum, a condition that there is growing awareness of currently in the UK. I am also vice chair of the research committee for the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists and am active in promoting AHP led research.

I have presented at a number of national conferences.

I have been lucky enough to have two beautiful children and enjoy all that family life can throw at me!

Will Butterill

Orthotist

Since joining Steeper in 2016, I have had the privilege to work within a team of highly skilled and experienced Orthotists in the Mid and East Yorkshire NHS Hospital trusts. As an Orthotist, I am dedicated in providing the best possible Orthotic treatment through my skills and knowledge in biomechanics.

I qualified as a Prosthetist/Orthotist BSc (Hons) from Salford University in 2016 as the highest commissioned student within my year. Since then, I have gained invaluable experience working with both adults and paediatrics in a variety of clinics. I regularly work alongside other healthcare professionals in helping patients with musculoskeletal, neurological and orthopaedic conditions achieve their goals.

Before I undertook my degree in Prosthetics/Orthotics, I also studied for 3 years at the University of Leeds, qualifying with a BSc (hons) in Sports Science. I find this particularly useful when treating both athletes and recreational sportspersons who are hampered by an overuse injury, condition or just wish to remain injury free.

I am HCPC registered and a member of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists. I continually aim to develop my skills and knowledge through training and qualifications which enables me to keep abreast of developments within my field.

In my free time I love to keep active. As a keen sportsman myself, I play both football and tennis competitively. I also love the outdoors and spending my weekends with my friends and family.