The Department of Health and Social Care has announced an extension to pilot programmes in northern England to address common conditions such as musculoskeletal problems that prevent people from working due to poor health.
In a week that the CSP attended a parliamentary event to champion role of physiotherapy in keeping Britain working, the vital role of physiotherapy workforce was outlined in the government’s funding announcement.
The £25 million funding boost is for health and growth accelerator pilots being run by the NHS in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, the North East and North Cumbria. The aim is to join up employment and health support in areas of high economic inactivity.
Rob Yeldham, CSP director of strategy, policy and engagement, said: ‘Whether working in occupational health, the independent sector, private practice or the NHS, our members are central to delivering early intervention and treatment that reduces sickness absence caused by musculoskeletal conditions.
'Physiotherapists and rehab support workers already play a key role in recovery and long term condition management, but workforce shortages are holding many services back.
For the health and growth accelerator to succeed, the NHS and other providers must expand the rehabilitation workforce to deliver long term change.
We have growing numbers of qualified physios available, and can grow further, but we need the NHS in particular to stop recruitment freezes and invest in the physiotherapy workforce.
The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (ACPOHE) welcomed the announcement, but chair Alexandra Bell said:
It must align with the Keep Britain Working strategy. Early physiotherapy intervention and work-focussed rehabilitation is the key solution to preventing injuries and sickness absence associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
'With long NHS waiting times, it is essential that this funding goes towards expanding the physiotherapy workforce across all sectors.’
Physio First, the specialist professional network representing self-employed physiotherapists working in the independent sector, looked forward to being involved, said chair Katie Knapton.
'This is a positive move in recognising that work is a health outcome, not an afterthought. For people living with musculoskeletal and other long-term conditions, staying in or returning to work is closely linked to recovery, independence and well being.'
'Physiotherapists already form part of the solution supporting early intervention, preventing deterioration and helping people maintain function.
To make this initiative succeed at scale, we need strong cross-sector collaboration between health services, employers and rehabilitation professionals, with a clear focus on sustained outcomes, not just short-term throughput.
The DHSC announcement comes at the same week that the CSP attended a parliamentary event, alongside the chairs of Physio First and ACPOHE, who made the case for physiotherapy being pivotal in tackling sickness absence and economic inactivity.
Physiotherapy took centre stage at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health parliamentary workshop, hosted by Lee Barron MP and attended by employment minister Diana Johnson and author of the Keep Britain Working report, Charlie Mayfield.
Throughout the discussion, physiotherapy was repeatedly referenced as part of the solution. The case was made for early intervention, strong occupational health and practical workplace support are essential to tackling sickness absence and economic inactivity.
The CSP will continue to press for physiotherapy to be embedded at the heart of the UK’s work and health agenda.
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