History
Evolution of care: from physiotherapy to holistic harmony
Hatt Clinic has come a long way. From a small physiotherapy clinic in a doctors’ surgery to three multidisciplinary clinics across Wiltshire and Somerset.
Here’s how a commitment to patient care and a drive to do things differently shaped our vision and success.
Our story
2003: Our first physiotherapy clinic in Devizes
James had moved from his job as an NHS physiotherapist to offering private physiotherapy from a room at Southbroom Surgery in Devizes.
While the move had been successful, it was always the plan to open our own clinic. We just needed to find a suitable property, in a convenient location, with parking and amenities nearby.
Later that year, we opened the doors of James Hatt and Associates, our first clinic, in Devizes.
Initially it was just a physiotherapy clinic. But we soon realised, offering physiotherapy in isolation wasn’t enough. Patients’ issues were often more complex. What we needed was a more holistic range of services and a more coordinated approach.
Soon after opening the clinic, we brought in a self-employed massage therapist and introduced massage as a complementary service.
2004: A small step into Marlborough
Following the success of the Devizes clinic, we set our sights on the nearby town of Marlborough.
James began offering physiotherapy from a tiny room at Marlborough Leisure Centre. He split his time between this new location and the clinic in Devizes.
At the time, James was taking all his bookings over the phone. But, as bookings in both locations began to multiply, this soon became unmanageable. It was then we decided to recruit our first receptionist.
2005: Opening Hatt Clinic in Marlborough
When we opened our second clinic in Marlborough, we had a much clearer vision for what we wanted.
We found a suitable premises with space for three treatment rooms, so we could provide physiotherapy, massage and podiatry all in one place.
This would be the test for the holistic range of services and coordinated approach we knew our patients needed. And, as predicted, it was a huge success.
The Marlborough clinic validated our business model and proved it worked in practice.
An eagerness to grow the business
We were keen to replicate the success of the Marlborough clinic in Devizes, adding studio space for class-based services.
But our building wasn’t big enough, there was no room to expand it, and the market town had a shortage of ideal properties for us.
Not having studio space in both locations was frustrating, but we continued our search in Devizes, hoping a suitable property would become available.
2009: A new property in Devizes
It was four years later when we finally found a suitable property in Devizes. The new clinic was much bigger and even had room for expansion. The extra space enabled us to star offering rehab physiotherapy and Pilates.
2009: A new physiotherapy clinic in Frome
In the same year as we found our new Devizes clinic, we took over a small physiotherapy business in nearby Frome.
The photos show the building with the original James Hatt & Associates signage.
2015: A triple expansion
When the ground floor of our Marlborough premises became available, we took over the whole building. We opened studios in the space and added rehab physiotherapy, Pilates, and Strength and Movement classes to our offering.
We started an ambitious renovation and extension of our new Devizes clinic. This doubled the size of the clinic, creating three additional treatment rooms and more studio space for classes.
Continued below…
Marlborough clinic expansion
The original signage for our Marlborough Clinic, which was on the first floor of this building.
When the ground floor of the building became available, we took it over and developed it into studio space.
The completed ground floor exterior with signage.
Devizes clinic renovation and expansion
The original building, before we started our renovation work.
Demolishing the flat-roofed part of the original building to create more space outside.
The exterior of the newly renovated premises.
2015: A triple expansion (continued)
Finally, we moved our Frome clinic into a former Chinese restaurant, which we renovated, creating three times the space we had before.
Now, all three clinics had a team of experts, offering services in seven different fields. We had achieved the fully coordinated approach we had envisioned, with everyone collaborating seamlessly to provide a gold standard of care.
2016: A change of name
In 2016, we changed our name from James Hatt & Associates to Hatt Health & Movement Clinic. The new name was a description of how we help our patients.
2017: From self-employed to employed in-house
Up to this point, all of our clinicians and therapists had been self-employed contractors. This was the way it worked in most clinics.
But we wanted our clinics to feel more unified and consistent, so we decided to employ our contractors in-house. This was an expensive move, but it gave our staff a sense of belonging and the feeling they were part of something.
For our employees, we provided additional benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and in-clinic discounts. And we gave them opportunities for training and development, so they could achieve their career and salary aspirations.
In the clinics, we created our own culture. Our staff are valued and have a voice. They also have a proper work-life balance, with no weekend work and no obligation to answer calls or emails out of hours.
Today: Continual investment and refinement
Since 2017, Hatt Clinic has gone from strength to strength. We’ve embraced the latest technology and methods. We’ve introduced new and more effective treatments. And we’ve helped tens of thousands of patients recover from pain so they can live their best lives.
So what’s next?
There’s demand for a fourth clinic in Bath. But, while a city location is appealing, Bath doesn’t have a lot of suitable properties with on-site parking. Still, our search continues.
Opening lots more clinics might seem an obvious next move, but we’re more interested in staying smaller and focusing on quality. Further expansion might involve adding ultrasound or MRI scanning to our current clinics, or introducing a nutritionist service.
Whatever we do next, we’re excited for the future and finding new ways to help our patients.
Our services
Physiotherapy
Expert assessment, diagnosis and treatment to relieve pain and get you moving well again.
Sports therapy
Support for sports injuries, training-related pain and return-to-sport — so you recover properly and reduce re-injury risk.
Rehabilitation physio
Rehab after injury, surgery or persistent pain — rebuilding movement, strength and confidence step by step.
Massage therapy
Massage and manual therapy to reduce pain, ease muscle tension and improve movement.
Gait analysis
A detailed assessment of how you walk and run to identify the root of your pain and provide effective treatment options to relieve pain and improve your mobility.
Strength & movement
Coached strength sessions to help you build a stronger, more capable body — safely, progressively, and with expert guidance.
Pilates studio
Pilates to improve control, mobility and strength — with combined mat and Reformer classes, guided by experienced instructors.
Foot clinic
Expert podiatry to treat common foot conditions, relieve discomfort and keep you moving comfortably.