Tony Lenaghan, a much-loved physiotherapist at an Ilford hospital, has celebrated his 80th birthday with colleagues and patients past and present. At a time when the state pension age in England is rising to 67 this April, Tony shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to treat patients part-time and mentor staff at the hospital.
A former Lead Physiotherapist for Tottenham Hotspur FC during the 1980s, Tony built an impressive career in elite sport, including 10 years working with elite football clubs in the Middle East alongside his wife of 61 years, Ann, who was also a physiotherapist. He later dedicated over 15 years to the Ilford community in his role at Practice Plus Group Hospital Ilford, helping both NHS and private patients recover from hip and knee replacements.
Tony’s dedication is underpinned by personal experience. He has undergone multiple joint surgeries at the independent hospital he works in as an NHS patient, including two knee replacements, a hip replacement performed by orthopaedic surgeon Mr Fabula, and a hernia repair by general surgeon Mr Hamid. These procedures restored his mobility and fitness, enabling him to continue working actively at an age when many are well into retirement. Shortly after being discharged from his hip replacement, he told his wife he “needed to exercise” and promptly set off down to the pub on his crutches, and went back to work soon after recovery!
“I genuinely love what I do,” Tony said. “Having had surgery myself, I know how life-changing timely treatment can be. If I hadn’t had my joint surgeries when I did, I doubt I’d still be fit and active enough to keep working. Being treated by colleagues I work alongside made all the difference. It’s inspiring to help patients get back on their feet and regain independence. I want to keep working part-time at the hospital for as long as I can, I don’t have any plans to fully retire…yet!”
Hospital Director Mark Gilmour said: “Tony represents the very best of community healthcare. His long career in elite sport and local patient care is extraordinary. The fact that he has undergone joint surgery here and continues to work with such energy speaks volumes about both his resilience and passion to keep working. He is an inspiration to both his colleagues and patients.”
Beyond the hospital walls, Tony, a proud Scotsman, was recently reunited with a man he saved from drowning as a 19-year-old teen, decades after the incident, when the individual tracked him down to say thank you and received a Bravery medal at Glasgow’s City Chambers last year after the first was stolen years before.
Practice Plus Group Hospitals continues to help reduce NHS waiting lists in routine operations such as hip and knee surgery, hernia and cataract operations. Private patients can book consultations directly with Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group, and NHS patients can ask their GP for a referral to the hospital.
