The CSP has made a strong case for the role of physiotherapy in improving workforce health and productivity, in its submission to the UK government’s Keep Britain Working review.
It sets out the case to fully utilise the expertise of physiotherapists both through occupational health services and NHS primary care and community services in helping people to return to work and the stay in work.
The CSP has made a number of recommendations for expanding timely access to physiotherapy and improving clinician-employer communication as part of national efforts to boost retention and productivity across the UK workforce.
CSP recommendations include:
- encouraging employers to invest in physiotherapy as part of occupational health services
- full roll out of MSK FCPs in primary care – proven to improve outcomes for patients faster, reducing sickness absence as well as cutting reliance on opioids
- working with NHS providers to remove bureaucratic barriers to physiotherapists issuing Fit Notes, and changing the rules on Fit Notes to allow physiotherapists in private occupational health services to issue them
- increase capacity of MSK and community-based rehabilitation to provide universal access as part of NHS services – making use of the healthy pipeline of physiotherapists and physiotherapy support workers
- learning from examples of physiotherapists from both the NHS and private sector, working in the government’s WorkWell pilots to reduce sickness absence by providing rapid access
- recognising the importance of access to physiotherapy from all sectors by the UK workforce to reduce health inequalities - especially for disabled employees, older workers, and people in deprived areas with complex health needs.
Physiotherapy and the government’s work and health agenda
CSP policy head Rachel Newton said: ‘Physiotherapy helps people to return to work and stay in work.
‘Employers who invest in occupational health that includes physiotherapy realise a significant return on investment through increased productivity. The government needs to be encouraging this.
However, many people working for small and medium sized employers or self-employed, do not have access to physiotherapy through occupational health.
'Government also needs to take action to enable people with MSK and long-term conditions to have rapid access to physiotherapy services in primary care and NHS community to support them to remain in or return to work and improve health equity.’
Strengths of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics chair Alexandra Bell said: ‘Physiotherapists play a crucial role in keeping people at work. In all settings, they should use their biopsychosocial expertise to address work-related issues, supporting patients physically and psychologically to maintain or return to employment.
‘Keep Britain Working will be most effective when the strengths of a multi-disciplinary team are utilised and everyone recognises work as an outcome.’
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