New resources to help members protect rehabilitation space

The CSP has launched new web resources to help its members, reps and stewards campaign for adequate rehabilitation space in hospitals, community settings and new healthcare buildings.

The pages are designed to support members who are concerned that rehabilitation space is being reduced, removed, relocated or replaced with facilities that are not suitable for safe and effective care.

They include practical guidance on how to get involved in consultation, identify who is making decisions, ask the right questions, gather evidence and build the case for the space physiotherapy teams and patients need.

The new pages include dedicated guidance for CSP reps and stewards at New Hospital Programme sites. 

These pages support members to engage early in the design process, understand what is being proposed, organise members locally and make sure rehabilitation is treated as essential clinical space.

The CSP has also updated its wider loss of rehabilitation space resources. These provide advice for members working in services affected by changes to inpatient rehabilitation space, outpatient physiotherapy moves, community service redesign or pressure on existing facilities.

Half of CSP members losing space

This follows 49 per cent of CSP members working in NHS hospitals reporting a loss rebab space, in the latest member survey. 

The problem extends across sectors with 41 per cent overall seeing their rehab spaces cut, and nearly a quarter reporting rising waiting lists as a result.

The losses are causing significant patient harm, with more than half of respondents (56 per cent) saying it was causing an increase in disabilities among patients.

Rehabilitation space is not an optional extra. It is where patients rebuild strength, mobility, confidence and independence. Without the right space, equipment and staffing, physiotherapy teams can be left trying to deliver care in settings that are unsuitable, unsafe or undignified.

National guidelines and evidence

The new resources bring together relevant national guidelines and evidence on inpatient rehabilitation and the space needed to deliver it safely and effectively.

They will help members understand what changes are being proposed, check whether proper impact assessments have been carried out, and get involved in consultation before decisions are finalised. They will also support members to work with colleagues, reps and local allies, raise concerns through the appropriate routes, and campaign for adequate rehabilitation space.

The CSP is encouraging members to use the pages early, particularly where services are being redesigned or moved as part of new hospital developments.

If you are concerned about loss of rehabilitation space in your workplace, speak to your CSP rep or steward, gather evidence from your team and use the new resources to help make the case for safe, effective rehabilitation facilities.