Latest Blogs
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What the next government must do on NHS pay
The CSP call for fair pay will need to continue whatever the result on 4 July – as pay will not be resolved in a single year. However, while we recognise it has to be part of a longer-term plan, the next government must begin to address the workforce crisis in the NHS, and fair pay has to be part of the solution. After many years, which have frequently seen below inflation rises, the link between pay and recruitment and retention is all too clear. Without the staff, the services that are so badly needed across the country cannot be delivered. And it is not just about pay in the NHS. Whatever -
Election 24 – Where do the parties stand?
At the CSP it’s not our job to tell you who to vote for but we do urge members to look at what the parties are offering and to use your vote. Manifestos are never comprehensive, so it is not simple to judge what a party will do beyond their headline manifesto commitments. CSP policy asks of all politicians for the general election have been clear: Transform rehabilitation Expand and develop the workforce needed to deliver better care Deliver fair pay and conditions to retain staff. A range of other issues will be important to members in deciding how to vote in the election including the -
Why AI cannot ever entirely replace a real physiotherapist
All physiotherapists will be able to recall that one moment with a patient that unlocked a mystery. A look, a throwaway remark, the actions of an accompanying relative. Those previously hidden parts of the puzzle that when combined with clinical reasoning skills and a deep understanding of the evidence base, enabled the clinician to put the person in front of them on the right path. That, for me, is why AI cannot ever entirely replace a real physiotherapist. Our interactions are with humans, and it’s this human contact that means we can meet their needs in a way that AI cannot. This is -
How might the election help grow the physio workforce?
CSP members regularly report staff shortages across all sectors of the workforce. There has been substantial growth in new graduate numbers in recent years, but problems recruiting – and crucially in the NHS, retaining – staff persist. In patient-facing roles, this impairs their ability to provide high-quality care during a time when demand is surging due to a range of factors, including the growing numbers of people living with at least one health condition. Elsewhere, it is having an impact on areas of the profession such as education, storing up further problems for the future. So, what are -
The Role of Physiotherapists in Prevention: A Crucial Endeavour
The concept that prevention is better than cure is not new. Promoting health and wellbeing, and preventing conditions from worsening are fundamental principles underpinning public health and improving the health of the population. The Essential Need for Prevention The rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes presents one of the most daunting public health challenges of our time. These lifestyle-related conditions are leading causes of death and disability worldwide, consuming vast healthcare resources and impacting countless lives (Parra et -
Time to vote for rehab - general election finally called
Our three asks for the next government are: Transform rehabilitation to improve quality of life for patients, reduce pressure on the most costly parts of health and social care and help address the growing numbers of people unable to work. Address workforce shortages . We can’t transform rehab without an expanded profession from apprentices through to consultants. Fair pay . Without fair pay and more flexible working the NHS will struggle to attract and retain people. Although manifestos have not yet been issued, we have some idea of where the main parties stand. The Conservatives want -
Advanced practice regulation – a developing conversation
This wider discussion reflects that advanced practice is now securely a multi-professional arena, where any decision that affects one part of the advanced practice workforce will impact on another. For years, physiotherapists have been trailblazers, pioneers of patient pathway reform. Many members are now asking, how will this impact me in my current or potential career as an advanced practitioner? The answer in the short term is it probably won’t. The HCPC has indicated they do not intend to follow suit , so regulatory requirements for physiotherapists remain unchanged. It will also take -
Remote by default?
The meeting was co-hosted by Professor The Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (also President of the CSP) and Dr James Davies MP. There were many GPs in the group but also representatives from other professions, patient organisations, think tanks, central leadership organisations, and other professional bodies. I was invited as the Health Informatics Lead for the CSP in recognition of the work we are doing on using digital in physiotherapy as well as my role representing AHPs in digital health networks. In the meeting the key findings of the research study “ Remote by Default 2: the new normal? ” -
Getting people back to productive and fulfilling lives
More than 2.8 million people are currently unable to work due to ill health or impairment. While 22 per cent of working-age people were economically inactive in February, according to official figures . This is a big problem for those who want to work and for an economy short of labour post Brexit. So it isn’t surprising politicians are worried. It should be no surprise that ill health and impairment are the main reasons for the growth in worklessness given: The long-term impacts of physical and mental health issues during Covid-19 and due to ongoing Long Covid The health impacts of the cost -
Government delays leaves NHS members waiting for pay rise
Our NHS members continue to wait to hear what pay award they will receive for 2024/25, despite it being due in your pay packets this month - with the health services’ financial year running April – March. This is because the UK government was late submitting its remit letter to the pay review body (PRB) - which takes evidence from ministers, employers and trade unions before putting pay recommendations back to government. Remits for Wales and Northern Ireland were similarly delayed. Anticipated direct negotiations with the Scottish government are also stalled. Compounding those delays, the