MPs hear from stretched physios

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

The event on Tuesday saw the launch of the society’s full 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.

Spending and waiting times

The MPs heard from physios 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 CSP members included physiotherapy staff shortages; training courses and degrees being oversubscribed; and how vacant jobs are frequently being 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.

Stretched to the limit

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

It highlights discrepancies across the country which it says amount to a postcode lottery for patients accessing services and treatment. The full report can be seen at the link below.