Physiotherapy training places in Northern Ireland to be cut by almost 10%

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in Northern Ireland has expressed its deep concern at the decision by the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety to cut the number of physiotherapy training places at Ulster University by almost 10% in 2016/17.

21 April 2016 - 3:56PM

The cuts will reduce the number of places from 55 to 50.

Tom Sullivan, CSP public affairs and policy manager said: ‘Physiotherapists have a major role to play in helping the health service in Northern Ireland to deliver on all of its major objectives, from easing the pressures on GPs by working alongside them in primary care, to offering patients safe and effective seven-day services.

‘That makes this short-sighted decision all the more difficult to comprehend.

‘Cutting training places for physiotherapists by nearly ten per cent at a time when demand for their services is growing significantly will have damaging consequences for patient care.

'The CSP is calling for all political parties in Northern Ireland to support a moratorium on this decision until the expert panel which was established by the minister for health to lead the discussion on the future configuration of services in Northern Ireland has had an opportunity to present its recommendations.'

Note to editors

For further information please contact:

Tom Sullivan
Public Affairs & Policy Manager
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy NI
Arthur House
41 Arthur Street
Belfast BT1 4GB
Tel: 028 90446249
Mob: 07779651939
Email: sullivant@csp.org.uk

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the UK’s professional, educational and trade union body. We have more than 52,000 members, including chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.