Two days, thousands of conversations and countless ideas shared.
1. Rehabilitation prevention paradox
This year’s conference theme was The Power of Prevention in Modern Physiotherapy Practice. Karen Poole, consultant therapist working within rehabilitation for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and new CSP fellow,delivered the opening keynote, empowering everyone to drive prevention.
Prevention was a key theme across conference held this week in Glasgow, bringing increased awareness to how as a profession we have a responsibility to spotlight the challenges we face.
By focusing on those at highest risk, Karen suggested, we may continually concentrate our attention on the same group of people. Whilst doing this, there may be thousands of people living in our communities who are not yet in crisis.
This is our rehabilitation prevention paradox.
The message was clear: prevention is not a future aspiration. It's already happening every day across the profession. And every member of the physiotherapy profession has a vital role to play in keeping people healthier for longer.
2. The profession's expertise is stronger than ever
From the main stage to breakout sessions, awards of recognition to practical workshops, the breadth of knowledge on display was remarkable. Themes discussed included the rapid advances in exercise medicine and rehabilitation science, women's health, collaborative person-centred care and the workforce transformation needed to deliver it all.
There was a strong sense that physiotherapy continues to push boundaries and improve outcomes for patients.
3. People value learning together in person
Connection, collaboration, celebration!
Between sessions, during breaks and lunch, the energy was buzzing with conversations over coffee, introductions in the exhibition hall and opportunities to meet peers from across the UK. It reinforced why bringing people together matters. Delegates shared experiences, exchanged ideas and built new connections that will continue long after the event ended.
4. Students and future leaders are ready to shape the profession
The enthusiasm and ambition of students on day one was hard to miss! The Student Conference highlighted the importance of investing in the next generation of physiotherapists.
Their questions, ideas and confidence brought fresh energy to discussions and reinforced the strength of the profession's future.
Against a challenging employment landscape for new graduates, students are showing determination, creativity and a commitment to making a difference. Their support for one another, and the passion seen in student-led sessions, were a powerful reminder that our future physios are already helping to shape the CSP community.
5. There's real power in coming together as a profession – and working with others
The physiotherapy workforce has a consistently strong collective sense of purpose. At a time when health and care services face significant challenges, delegates repeatedly returned to the difference physiotherapy makes to individuals, communities and the wider health system.
Peter O’Sullivan hosted the final session with Laura Finucane, Sue Greenhalgh and Neil Langridge. They shared how preventative physiotherapy is one of the most powerful investments we can make in lifelong health, helping people to build capacity, to be active, independent and resilient. In delivering this, they talked about the power of listening skills and the importance of multi professional model, ensuring we can draw on the skills of everyone to deliver to patient needs.
As we left Glasgow, there was a shared feeling of optimism and momentum for the year ahead.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, volunteered and helped make CSP Annual Conference 2026 such a success. We hope you returned home with new ideas, new connections and renewed confidence in the impact physiotherapy has every day.
Save the date for 7 and 8 October 2027 - we'll see you at the Harrogate Convention Centre!
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