CSP online tool offers ‘step change’ in workforce planning

If current trends continue, demand for physiotherapists will outpace supply by 500 each year. Use the workforce data model to find out more

The workforce data model (WDM) was launched at the Health and Care Innovation 2015 Expo in Manchester after 12 months of data analysis and software development.

Users of the tool can see the availability of physiotherapists in each UK country and in a range of localities across the NHS, its private contractors and independent practitioners.

They can compare these data to those about predicted demand for services as far into the future as 2030.

The tool offers a range of scenarios – for instance, the effects of physios delivering more services in primary care – and presents projections of the impact.

Andy Lord, a CSP professional adviser and WDM project manager, said: ‘We believe this tool can effect a step change by enabling physio managers to think beyond what their service will need not just next year, or in two years’ time, but what their region will need in the next 10-15 years’ time.

Data from CSP, NHS and HCPC

He said the tool uses data from sources including NHS, CSP and Health and Care Professions Council databases to predict how many physios there will be in the future.

These data include retirement trends, students, overseas-qualified physios arriving in Britain and physios leaving the UK.

Predictions about demand for physiotherapy are based on the UK’s growing and ageing population.

‘We know that elderly populations require more physiotherapy because they tend to get the conditions that physios treat,’ said Mr Lord.

The tool has been designed to be intuitive to use, according to Mr Lord, and is accompanied by a short video explaining its features and functions.