English regional networks up and running

Seven of the 10 CSP English regional networks are up and running, getting down to the task of inspiring and supporting members and encouraging them to speak up for physiotherapy at local level.

The remaining three will run major regional events as they become fully established in the new year.

Centrally the regional networks programme, launched formally at this year’s Congress in Liverpool, replaces the system of English regional boards and aims to bring the Society and its grassroots together.

Each network covers a strategic health authority region: North East; North West; Yorkshire and the Humber; West Midlands; East Midlands; East of England; South West; South Central; South East Coast and London.

English Networks programme manager Dr Anne Jackson said: ‘Health policy is made on a national level but decision-making is devolved to the regional strategic health authorities. Therefore it’s vital that physiotherapists have an influence locally to maximise their potential.’

The networks bring together CSP members from different specialities and organisations, as well as from formal groups, such as the Society’s clinical interest groups, and informal bodies, such as local managers’ groups, to support each other, share ideas and information, and decide on local priorities at strategic level.

This might involve agreeing locally which data to collect and how that data should be analysed, and presented to demonstrate to commissioners how physiotherapists meet their goals and improve patients’ lives. Another objective is to improve member representation and communication channels within the Society in order to influence CSP decision-making and strategy.

The networks, run by local physiotherapy activists, are positioned to become an integral part of the CSP of the future. Regional network core team members will host quarterly meetings and all CSP members in each region are encouraged to have ‘virtual’ contact through the regional pages of interactiveCSP, the Society’s member networking website. The new system includes the English Network Forum, which enables regional Council reps to share intelligence and ideas across the regions.

Dr Jackson said that the new networks were beginning to work on important regional priorities and it was vital that all grades of physiotherapists, associates and students participate. ‘Physiotherapy has huge potential to address major issues in modern healthcare and we need to work together to seize the opportunities,’ she said.