About us
Fortis Health & Wellbeing is a family run clinic based in Langham, Colchester. Our private and secluded clinic is the perfect set up to receive personalised and focused care. Whether you have an acute injury, irritation or long-term condition, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the best quality care possible.
With our extensive expertise in physiotherapy, injection therapy, pilates, massage therapy, scar therapy, lymphoedema, manual lymphatic drainage, acupuncture and rehabilitation, we are equipped to address a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions through comprehensive and holistic treatment approaches. We also now offer a range of general healthcare services including minor illness check ups, foot and skin clinics, intravenous drip therapy, minor surgeries and blood testing. And new to 2025, we are delighted to be offering a specialist Podiatry service including biomechanical assessments, bespoke insoles, toe nail surgery and ultrasound guided foot/ankle injections.
Situated just off the A12, our clinic is easily accessed from all areas of Colchester and it’s surrounding communities such as Dedham, Ardleigh, Boxted, Stoke-by-Nayland, Nayland, Great Horkesley, Stratford St Mary, Elmstead and Manningtree.
Meet the Team
Joseph Hijazi MSc HCPC MCSP
Joe is the Director and Founder of Fortis Health & Wellbeing.
Joe holds both a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from Exeter University and an MSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Essex.
He has worked in both the NHS and private sector as a specialist physiotherapist and is particularly experienced in Trauma and Elective orthopaedic physiotherapy as well as musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
He underwent further training at the University of Essex to become qualified in injection therapy and now specialises in the provision of corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid and Arthrosamid® injections.
Josie Hijazi MSc HCPC MCSP
Josie is a Senior Physiotherapist, Massage Therapist and co-founder of Fortis Health & Wellbeing.
She holds a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science from Exeter University and an MSc in Physiotherapy from Brunel University in London, as well as a Level 3 diploma in Sports Massage and pregnancy massage.
She has spent most of her physiotherapy career working in the NHS gaining a wide range of experience in inpatient, outpatient and community physiotherapy. She is experienced in orthopaedic and sports injury rehabilitation and enjoys utilising her qualifications in massage alongside her physiotherapy treatments. She also has a special interest in Women’s Health and physiotherapy during pregnancy.
Jess Pearce BScOT FGMLD
Jess is a scar therapy practitioner and lymphoedema specialist practitioner here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing
Jess holds a BSc in occupational therapy from York St John University and has spent the last 11 years of her career working in the NHS gaining extensive experience in a wide variety of specialities. In 2016 she specialised in Lymphoedema and has been a service lead in local Lymphoedema services for the last 7 years.
Jess thoroughly enjoys her scar therapy work, and has a special interest in oncology and C-section scar therapy. She is also experienced in using her scar therapy treatment alongside Lymphoedema treatment.
Claudia Agostinho BSc HCPC MCSP
Claudia is a pelvic health specialist physiotherapist and sports massage therapist here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing.
Claudia holds a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of East London and level 3 diploma in Sports Massage Therapy.
She has been a specialist physiotherapist in Pelvic Health since 2021, working in both the NHS and privately. She offers treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction and bladder and bowel issues in both men and women. She also specialises in antenatal and postnatal care for back/pelvis pain and diastasis recti.
She has a special interest in exercise and also holds her Level 1 matwork qualification in Pilates.
Megan Burcham MSc HCPC MCSP
Megan is a Physiotherapist and Sports Massage Therapist here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing.
She holds both a BSc in Sports & Exercise Science and an MSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Essex. Since graduating 2 years ago, Megan has gained experience in NHS outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy as well as in private practice.
Megan also holds a level three diploma in sports massage which she enjoys utilising alongside her physiotherapy practice. She has a special interest in sports injuries and rehabilitation and particularly enjoys helping her clients reach their personal fitness goals.
Eloise Pree BSc HCPC MCSP
Eloise is a senior physiotherapist, pilates instructor and acupuncture practitioner here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing. She has over 15 years of experience working within a variety of settings but predominantly in private practice for the last 10 years.
She holds a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Essex and has extensive experience working with musculoskeletal disorders and in the orthopaedic world, treating joint replacements, ligament repairs and other surgeries. She has attended courses in pain management and has experience in acupuncture treatment which she enjoys incorporating into her physiotherapy treatments.
She has a special interest in pelvic health and women’s wellness and has completed a mummy MOT course as well as pregnancy, ante and post natal care, fitness and nutrition.
Jake Daws MSc HCPC MCSP
Jake is a senior Physiotherapist, acupuncture and Temporomandibular disorder specialist here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing.
Jake has a strong clinical background and BSc in Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences along with his MSc in Physiotherapy. Jake holds a special interest in upper limb pathology, focusing on a wide variety of manual and rehabilitative techniques. Jake also has vast NHS experience treating a wide array of post-operative conditions from both the upper and lower extremities.
Gerald Agbarakwe MD MRCPod
Gerald is a Clinical Specialist Podiatrist here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing. He is a clinician with qualifications in both general medicine and podiatric medicine, registered with the HCPC and a member of the Royal College of Podiatry.
He currently works both in the NHS and private practice, with experience caring for high-risk patients as part of a limb salvage team. He also lectures in podiatric medicine at the University of Brighton.
In his current role, Gerald manages a busy caseload, including joint injections and treatments using local anaesthetic, corticosteroid, and Ostenil.
Hisham Hijazi MSc MBACP
Hisham is a Psychodynamic Therapist & Counsellor here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing. He is a doctoral candidate in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and is registered with the BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
His practice is informed by extensive experience working with adults facing complex emotional difficulties, including survivors of trauma, professionals in high stress roles, and adults experiencing a range of personal difficulties.
He also works in the NHS and brings a grounded, confidential, and thoughtful approach to therapeutic work.
Mike Preston BSc MCPARA
Mike is an Advanced Paramedic. He is a member of the College of Paramedics and holds a level 7 qualification in Advanced Clinical Assessment and Independent Prescribing. He is also registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), ensuring adherence to rigorous standards.
Having worked as a Paramedic in the Ambulance Service for 9 years Mike has gained a wide variety of experience from minor illnesses to trauma related injuries. His subsequent four years in the A&E department further honed his skills in managing acute conditions. Recognising the challenges patients face in accessing timely healthcare, he is passionate about providing an alternative option.
He offers a wide range of health & wellbeing services including a minor illness clinic (ideal for when you’re struggling to get a GP appointment), skin and foot care, minor surgeries, IV therapy, vitamin injections, vaccinations, blood tests and more!
Emma Howlett Thomson BSc RGN
Emma is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner here at Fortis Health & Wellbeing. Emma holds the master’s level accreditation for advanced practice with NHS England and has over 25 years’ experience as a registered nurse, completing her advanced nurse practitioner qualification 15 years ago. She is an independent prescriber, qualified advanced practice and trainee GP supervisor, with experience of working in clinical education, primary and secondary care for both the NHS and private sector.
Emma is passionate about person-centred care, tailoring individual needs and preferences over standardised approaches, allowing for shared decision making and holistic wellbeing. Working across the professional boundaries has allowed her to recognise that working within a multi-disciplinary team allows for treatment of the entire patient, providing timely care, improving health outcomes and experience.
Emma offers general health services including; health screening, minor illness/urgent care assessments and treatment, venepuncture, vitamin injections, surgical wound assessment and management, private prescriptions, mild dermatological conditions, emergency contraception services and a generalised menopause clinic.