Brighton graduate helps train Sierra Leone's first physiotherapists

Desmond Macauley, who graduated with an MSc in Rehabilitation Science from the university in 2012 and who is originally from Sierra Leone, approached staff in the University of Brighton's Queenwood Library on its Eastbourne campus earlier this year with a proposition: to set aside any physiotherapy textbooks that were no longer needed by the university, so that he could use them to set up a medical library at the Tonkolili District College of Health Sciences in the country's Northern Province.

The library staff quickly got to work, searching through stock that was due to be withdrawn for books that might fit the bill. By July they had gathered together around 150 books, which Desmond drove down from London to sort through and collect. “He came in a Mini,” said Mary Bartholomew from the university's library services team. “He put the back seat down and put the books in the back of the car. It's surprising how much can go into one of those cars!"

Queenwood Library librarians and graduate Desmond Macauley

Building in progress at the Tonkolili District College of Health Sciences

The university's library stock is constantly being monitored and updated where necessary; the donated books come from stock that would in the ordinary course of things have been withdrawn from library shelves, perhaps because there was a newer edition or because the texts were no longer on reading lists.

”Usually books that are withdrawn go to a company who either recycle them or sell them on, so this was obviously a more specific approach," Mary said. “Desmond was obviously very pleased about it, because previously he's been buying books himself. Looking at the pictures he sent of the library being built really shows the contrast of the availability of resources."

Serving the community

The Tonkolili District College of Health Sciences began offering the only official physiotherapy training in Sierra Leone in 2018, with a cohort of 17 students. The new medical library - which Desmond is building with the assistance of department head Mr Kebbie and physiotherapist-in-charge Mr Abu Amara - will help future students as they seek to increase access to rehabilitation services among the wider population.

Finding new ways to support medical training is vital in a country which is desperately short of medical practitioners: there are only 1.4 doctors, nurses and midwives per 10,000 population, amounting to a qualified workforce of around 1,000 for the whole of Sierra Leone. With most of those choosing to live and work in towns and cities, the problem is even more acute in rural areas.

The new college library is taking shape but still needs books for its shelves.

“Physiotherapy as a profession and academic training is in its infancy in Sierra Leone and in need of support,” Desmond said. “I want to promote it as a viable healthcare service accessible to everyone, with the aim of increasing access to sustainable rehabilitation therapy in both community and acute care settings right across Sierra Leone."

Desmond doesn't just buy and ship books to his home country; he also takes time away from running his physiotherapy and sports injury clinic in Battersea to go out each year and help train the students in person.

“In 2022 and 2023 I spent time in Sierra Leone doing clinical training, mentoring, supervising final year dissertations and sponsoring physiotherapy students who are the first to be trained in the country,” Desmond said. "Additionally, I provide support towards the development of BSc and Diploma academic training for physiotherapy students in Sierra Leone, as well as contributing to funding for students' continuing professional development and welfare.”

Desmond will be returning to Sierra Leone in January. In the meantime, Queenwood Library staff have continued to set aside stock for him to take along. “We've got a couple of trolleys' worth and we'll contact him again when we have enough,” Mary said. “It's very satisfying to be able to do. He's so passionate about what he believes in.”