The society thrives as the new year starts

After a well-earned break it's worth reflecting on some of the successes for the CSP and the profession in 2011.

The society has continued to grow, beginning 2012 with more than 51,000 members. The membership now includes an extra 8,000 full practising members since 2010. This means that 95% of UK physios are members of the CSP, which is higher than any other UK membership organisation.

Now, the society is the world's third largest professional association for physiotherapy, just behind those in Japan and the USA. Our membership has proved to be very active, and willing to take action. Last year's pensions campaign involved 343 member meetings, with 9,000 members participating.

Phil Gray and Helena Johnson launch 'Stretched to the Limit' at the Houses of Parliament. Photo: Theodore Wood

On the day of strike action, November 30, there was a huge turnout of CSP members standing together to defend their pensions.

Public appreciation of the value of physiotherapy is increasing, thanks to excellent publicity generated throughout the year by members locally and by the CSP team.

And the CSP has been very active in lobbying hard for the profession with elected representatives in all four UK nations.

Just yesterday I was able to talk in person with a number of MPs and raise our concerns about the impact that the cuts in the NHS are having on physiotherapy services and on patient care. We launched the CSP's Stretched to the Limit report at the Houses of Parliament, and gave copies to MPs.

And just like the 12 days of Christmas, the CSP now offers twelve free Physiotherapy Works briefings. These are designed to show the clinical and cost effectiveness of physiotherapy and you can download them to give to GPs and to local planners and commissioners of services

Personally, the biggest highlight of last year was welcoming in the new cycle of Council for a training day in December, followed by my first Council meeting as Chair the following day.

What a great group of members, with a wonderful array of skills and expertise. I am counting on each of them as well as the Senior Management Team at CSP, to chip in to this blog from time to time - so stay tuned.

Now for the year ahead. The Olympics are looming, and no doubt many of us have resolved to get fit. If you were involved in last year’s Workout at Work Day, did you keep the activities up? We're hoping to make the 2012 day even more successful than the last.

While focusing on keeping fit for work, look out for the new AHP Assessment of Fitness for Work document, to be used with your patients following the official launch in February.

A lot of work that began in 2011, such as lobbying on the Health & Social Care Bill and advice on the expansion of the Any Qualified Provider policy, remain as challenges in the coming months.

But in typical physio style we'll all look for the opportunities to make a positive difference in patient care, whether we are students, associates, clinicians, managers, educators or researchers.

- Helena