Physios ‘stretched to the limit’, MPs told

MPs got the story straight from physiotherapist’s mouths as they heard about the difficulties being faced by those working in the NHS.

An event at parliament on 17 January discussed the society’s Stretched to the Limit report, aimed at raising awareness of how NHS budget restraints are affecting the physiotherapy profession and physiotherapy services.

MPs from all major political parties attended the event. They heard about levels of spending on physiotherapy services at PCTs in England, along with current waiting times for treatment.

In a roundtable discussion, issues outlined by physios included staff shortages, oversubscription of training courses and degrees and how vacant jobs are frequently left unfilled to save money.

CSP policy officer Helen Walsh said the MPs were positive about the impact physiotherapy can have.

All had received treatment themselves and recognised the value of physiotherapy interventions in keeping people active and preventing conditions worsening, Ms Walsh said.

The Stretched to the Limit report draws on statistics taken from a survey of all PCTs in England using freedom of information requests.

It highlights discrepancies across the country which it argues amount to a postcode lottery for patients accessing services and treatment.