Personal profile
She was inspired to pursue a career in rehabilitation because she could see a real value in enablement, in developing treatment programmes with patients that was in line with their goals and truly led by the patient themselves.
Dr Shariat started her career in stroke rehabilitation. She found that there were wider challenges facing rehabilitation of patients and service users in the UK because rehabilitation was not necessarily built in to the care pathway - and sees great opportunity in making a difference for patients and for the wider UK approach to rehabilitation. She said that the more recent events with COVID-19, in which people's rehabilitation needs are becoming more obvious, have led to a greater focus on the recovery and re-enablement stages of an illness or condition - but also a greater realisation among the public and general health services that there has been and remains a gap between need and services.
“The true value of rehabilitation services were brought up to light during the COVID-19 pandemic as specialist rehabilitation services were utilised beyond and above its usual practice and accommodated patients in need of complex care and specialist rehabilitation to reduce pressure off acute Trusts,” she said. “This was due to multidisciplinary staff who are skilled in providing care in vast areas including acute medical care and physical, psychological and emotional support to severely impaired patients.”
She said that she was drawn to Circle Rehabilitation because of the fresh approach offered: "I was fascinated with the new technology Circle brings to the West Midlands - the traditional way and the personal rehabilitation is there, but Circle brings more than that. Circle brings more technology than in available in mainstream rehabilitation services.
"I see rehabilitation services in the community and in the West Midlands, but islands of rehabilitation. I think Circle's role is, in part, to bring this together, standardise the approach and fill the gaps.
"We all share the same goal - we want people to be the best they can be and to work towards their agreed outcomes. The staff here are so fresh and enthusiastic, all ready for a fresh start - everyone working towards a common goal is brilliant. You can see the attitude and enthusiasm as soon as you see the team."