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Aims and Objectives of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Aims and Objectives of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy -
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T his paper w a s agreed by Council a t i ts meeting on June 8. It represents t h e culmination o f a fairly lengthy process of debate o n t h e future strategies of t h e Society. Council w o u l d w e l c o me members‘ comments. Have we g o t some points wrong? Have w e l e ft something important o u t ? H o w could t h e document be improved? In Spring 1989 w e will review t h e progress t h a t has been made and revise t h e paper in t h e light of developments a n d members’ views. In tro d u c ti o n THIS paper takes an overview of the Society’s work. It starts with some very general principles: goes on to set out some overall policies and aims; and then derives a number of immediate objectives from these. The list is not exhaustive: and the Society will continue to respond to opportunities and challenges as they arise. Throughout the document, the term ‘members’ includes student members. Within each list, the items are nor in priority order. Functions of t h e CSP The Chartered Society is the recognised professional body for UK Chartered physiotherapists. It has five main groups of functions: (a) Setting and maintaining educational and professional standards. (b) Supporting members in their professional activities. (c) Performing a trade union function on behalf of its employed members. (d) Acting as the voice of the profession. (el Providing services to members. A successful future for the Society depends on fulfilling those five roles effectively. The Society’s major resource is the individual Chattered physiotherapist and it must therefore continue t o support and develop the roles its members fulfil as health care professionals. As a reciprocal obligation, individual members must feel personal responsibility for their Society. Overall Policies and Aims The Society should: 1 . Aim to secure regulatory arrangements for the profession which reflect its standing and independence. This will involve amending the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. It should seek to become a competent authority under European Community directives. 2. Promote the independence of the profession as a whole; the professional standing of its members; and their right to make their own clinical judgement and to bear the consequent responsibility. 3. Base its educational policies and services on the community‘s needs and on: (a) A rigorous pre-registration course at degree level taught in multi-faculty institutions of higher education. (b) A structured postgraduate training programme. (c) Continuing education programmes for all members. 4. Seek to encourage Chartered physiotherapists to remain in, or return to, the active practice of the profession, including
securing appropriate re-entry training. 5. Seek remuneration and conditions of service for its members that are comparable with other professionals not only health professionals - of similar standing. 6. Strengthen its interprofessional and international relationships. 7. Make positive efforts to identify matters of relevance to physiotherapists and to the practice of physiotherapy; and respond to the challenges they pose. 8. Take a lead in manpower planning for the whole profession, and ensure that both its own education policies and those of Government and other bodies reflect those forecasts. 9. Increase public awareness of Physiotherapy. 10. Enhance its service to members. 11. Run itself efficiently. 12. Promote and encourage research into Physiotherapy. 13. Promote and facilitate communication to and between its members. 14. Maximise the number of physiotherapists in membership of the CSP.
Immediate Objectives The following is a suggested work programme for the Society’s officers and committees in support of these longer term priorities: Professional affairs (a) Confront issues of interprofessional overlaps and boundaries. (b) Press Government to recognise the CSP as a competent authority for the profession under the terms of the EC directive on a general system for the recognition of Higher Education Diplomas; and to amend the PSM Act to achieve appropriate regulatory arrangements. (c) Complete work on the definition of core skills in physiotherapy, on the established applications of those skills and on the approach to be adopted in developing innovatory applications. (d) Agree and implement arrangements for recognition of Clinical Interest Groups. (el Develop information services within the CSP. ( f ) Facilitate quality assurance in physiotherapy. (g) Support members who wish to further the provision of physiotherapy in developing countries. Educational affairs (h) Develop a structure for postgraduate and continuing ~~
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Physiotherapy, July 1988, vol74, I X ) 7
education and the related recognition of specialisations within the profession. (i)Complete the process of internalisation of pre-registration courses. (j) Set up a conference and seminar unit within the Chartered Society. (k) Foster leadership development. (1) Provide support for research, possibly through a research foundation. Service conditions (m) Complete negotiations on a revised NHS grading structure. (n) Agree w i t h Government a manpower plan for the whole profession and take appropriate action, including action t o deal with the shortage of teachers. (01 Promote positive attitudes towards equal opportunities
and part-time physiotherapists and reach appropriate agreements with employers. (p) Campaign for additional resources for the NHS.
CSP management (q) Establish an Annual Representative Conference structure that provides an input t o policy making from a broad spectrum of members. (r) Pursue the recommendations of the Board and Branch review t o ensure that local units respond t o members’ local needs. (s) Commission the new Jockeys Fields building. (t) D.evelnp and implement, in-consultation w i t h the union representatives, personnel management policies for the Society’s staff, particularly in the field of staff development. For most of these, Council aims to demonstrate substantial progress over the next t w o years.
Relationship Between the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Professions PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY are the t w o most rapidly growing health professions; and the demand for their services is rising even faster than supply. But in recent years a degree of overlap has developed in certain aspects of their professional practice; and the Council of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy thinks that the time has come when there should be a radical look at the relationship between the t w o professions. It is important that the physiotherapy professions should be in a position t o respond t o any recommendations that may be made by the
Independent Commission on the Occupational Therapy Profession (chaired by Louis Blom-Cooper QC) that has been set up by the British Association of Occupational Therapists. Council has therefore prepared this consultative document to promote open debate within the profession, and more widely, before any action is taken. It hopes that the document will be widely discussed and that in doing so members will reflect on how its proposals can help meet the needs of patients as well as on the implications for them as health care professionals.
Historical Background
where responsibilities should lie‘. This report (the McMillan report) made a positive recommendation t h a t t h e professions of physiotherapy and remedial gymnastics should amalgamate (this has now been achieved) and that
The t w o professions started w i t h very different areas of practice. But changes in clients’ needs, in health care and in their therapeutic interventions have meant that, at least in certain areas, there is now a substantial degree of commonality in their approach. Particularly in the physical field, in the early days of the NHS the t w o professions worked together closely in departments under the patronage of doctors in physical medicine. This link has, however, weakened as the role of doctors in these departments has altered. In 1973 the Working Party on the Remedial Professions noted that there were ’problems of overlapping of responsibilities. . . between the remedial professions. . . so that it is not always clear, or understood
Opportunities and Problems In this section, we look at the manpower resources of both professions, their scope of practice, and the impact of change in clinical practice. In particular the growing manpower shortage in each profession, together with outside pressure, has tended t o lead t o a blurring of the professional roles.
Manpower The t w o professions are in severe shortage because of increased demand, restricted entry t o training and losses of
physiofherapy, August 1988, vol74, no 8
‘In the long term all three professions should evolve to form one comprehensive profession, and any developments in training and the sevices should have this ultimate goal in mind.’
Already, both professions share a knowledge base which includes anatomy, physiology, other biomedical studies and pyschosocial skills and understanding; and have developed a relationship with other health care professions (particularly the medical profession) based on referral. In addition patients may make direct contact w i t h members of both professions without medical referral.
qualified staff, due partly t o inadequate pay. At March 31, 1987, for England and Wales, the CSP’s survey of District physiotherapists showed over 800 whole-time equivalent vacancies; an 8.7% shortfall o n the funded establishment. For occupational therapists, the BAOT‘s survey at the same date showed 6 7 0 vacancies - a 20.1% level. These salary shortages show little sign of improvement and certainly in the case of physiotherapy, are getting worse. Demand for both professions is expanding rapidly, at 4% for physiotherapy and more for occupational therapy: and although there has been
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T his paper w a s agreed by Council a t i ts meeting on June 8. It represents t h e culmination o f a fairly lengthy process of debate o n t h e future strategies of t h e Society. Council w o u l d w e l c o me members‘ comments. Have we g o t some points wrong? Have w e l e ft something important o u t ? H o w could t h e document be improved? In Spring 1989 w e will review t h e progress t h a t has been made and revise t h e paper in t h e light of developments a n d members’ views. In tro d u c ti o n THIS paper takes an overview of the Society’s work. It starts with some very general principles: goes on to set out some overall policies and aims; and then derives a number of immediate objectives from these. The list is not exhaustive: and the Society will continue to respond to opportunities and challenges as they arise. Throughout the document, the term ‘members’ includes student members. Within each list, the items are nor in priority order. Functions of t h e CSP The Chartered Society is the recognised professional body for UK Chartered physiotherapists. It has five main groups of functions: (a) Setting and maintaining educational and professional standards. (b) Supporting members in their professional activities. (c) Performing a trade union function on behalf of its employed members. (d) Acting as the voice of the profession. (el Providing services to members. A successful future for the Society depends on fulfilling those five roles effectively. The Society’s major resource is the individual Chattered physiotherapist and it must therefore continue t o support and develop the roles its members fulfil as health care professionals. As a reciprocal obligation, individual members must feel personal responsibility for their Society. Overall Policies and Aims The Society should: 1 . Aim to secure regulatory arrangements for the profession which reflect its standing and independence. This will involve amending the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. It should seek to become a competent authority under European Community directives. 2. Promote the independence of the profession as a whole; the professional standing of its members; and their right to make their own clinical judgement and to bear the consequent responsibility. 3. Base its educational policies and services on the community‘s needs and on: (a) A rigorous pre-registration course at degree level taught in multi-faculty institutions of higher education. (b) A structured postgraduate training programme. (c) Continuing education programmes for all members. 4. Seek to encourage Chartered physiotherapists to remain in, or return to, the active practice of the profession, including
securing appropriate re-entry training. 5. Seek remuneration and conditions of service for its members that are comparable with other professionals not only health professionals - of similar standing. 6. Strengthen its interprofessional and international relationships. 7. Make positive efforts to identify matters of relevance to physiotherapists and to the practice of physiotherapy; and respond to the challenges they pose. 8. Take a lead in manpower planning for the whole profession, and ensure that both its own education policies and those of Government and other bodies reflect those forecasts. 9. Increase public awareness of Physiotherapy. 10. Enhance its service to members. 11. Run itself efficiently. 12. Promote and encourage research into Physiotherapy. 13. Promote and facilitate communication to and between its members. 14. Maximise the number of physiotherapists in membership of the CSP.
Immediate Objectives The following is a suggested work programme for the Society’s officers and committees in support of these longer term priorities: Professional affairs (a) Confront issues of interprofessional overlaps and boundaries. (b) Press Government to recognise the CSP as a competent authority for the profession under the terms of the EC directive on a general system for the recognition of Higher Education Diplomas; and to amend the PSM Act to achieve appropriate regulatory arrangements. (c) Complete work on the definition of core skills in physiotherapy, on the established applications of those skills and on the approach to be adopted in developing innovatory applications. (d) Agree and implement arrangements for recognition of Clinical Interest Groups. (el Develop information services within the CSP. ( f ) Facilitate quality assurance in physiotherapy. (g) Support members who wish to further the provision of physiotherapy in developing countries. Educational affairs (h) Develop a structure for postgraduate and continuing ~~
310
Physiotherapy, July 1988, vol74, I X ) 7
education and the related recognition of specialisations within the profession. (i)Complete the process of internalisation of pre-registration courses. (j) Set up a conference and seminar unit within the Chartered Society. (k) Foster leadership development. (1) Provide support for research, possibly through a research foundation. Service conditions (m) Complete negotiations on a revised NHS grading structure. (n) Agree w i t h Government a manpower plan for the whole profession and take appropriate action, including action t o deal with the shortage of teachers. (01 Promote positive attitudes towards equal opportunities
and part-time physiotherapists and reach appropriate agreements with employers. (p) Campaign for additional resources for the NHS.
CSP management (q) Establish an Annual Representative Conference structure that provides an input t o policy making from a broad spectrum of members. (r) Pursue the recommendations of the Board and Branch review t o ensure that local units respond t o members’ local needs. (s) Commission the new Jockeys Fields building. (t) D.evelnp and implement, in-consultation w i t h the union representatives, personnel management policies for the Society’s staff, particularly in the field of staff development. For most of these, Council aims to demonstrate substantial progress over the next t w o years.
Relationship Between the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Professions PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY are the t w o most rapidly growing health professions; and the demand for their services is rising even faster than supply. But in recent years a degree of overlap has developed in certain aspects of their professional practice; and the Council of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy thinks that the time has come when there should be a radical look at the relationship between the t w o professions. It is important that the physiotherapy professions should be in a position t o respond t o any recommendations that may be made by the
Independent Commission on the Occupational Therapy Profession (chaired by Louis Blom-Cooper QC) that has been set up by the British Association of Occupational Therapists. Council has therefore prepared this consultative document to promote open debate within the profession, and more widely, before any action is taken. It hopes that the document will be widely discussed and that in doing so members will reflect on how its proposals can help meet the needs of patients as well as on the implications for them as health care professionals.
Historical Background
where responsibilities should lie‘. This report (the McMillan report) made a positive recommendation t h a t t h e professions of physiotherapy and remedial gymnastics should amalgamate (this has now been achieved) and that
The t w o professions started w i t h very different areas of practice. But changes in clients’ needs, in health care and in their therapeutic interventions have meant that, at least in certain areas, there is now a substantial degree of commonality in their approach. Particularly in the physical field, in the early days of the NHS the t w o professions worked together closely in departments under the patronage of doctors in physical medicine. This link has, however, weakened as the role of doctors in these departments has altered. In 1973 the Working Party on the Remedial Professions noted that there were ’problems of overlapping of responsibilities. . . between the remedial professions. . . so that it is not always clear, or understood
Opportunities and Problems In this section, we look at the manpower resources of both professions, their scope of practice, and the impact of change in clinical practice. In particular the growing manpower shortage in each profession, together with outside pressure, has tended t o lead t o a blurring of the professional roles.
Manpower The t w o professions are in severe shortage because of increased demand, restricted entry t o training and losses of
physiofherapy, August 1988, vol74, no 8
‘In the long term all three professions should evolve to form one comprehensive profession, and any developments in training and the sevices should have this ultimate goal in mind.’
Already, both professions share a knowledge base which includes anatomy, physiology, other biomedical studies and pyschosocial skills and understanding; and have developed a relationship with other health care professions (particularly the medical profession) based on referral. In addition patients may make direct contact w i t h members of both professions without medical referral.
qualified staff, due partly t o inadequate pay. At March 31, 1987, for England and Wales, the CSP’s survey of District physiotherapists showed over 800 whole-time equivalent vacancies; an 8.7% shortfall o n the funded establishment. For occupational therapists, the BAOT‘s survey at the same date showed 6 7 0 vacancies - a 20.1% level. These salary shortages show little sign of improvement and certainly in the case of physiotherapy, are getting worse. Demand for both professions is expanding rapidly, at 4% for physiotherapy and more for occupational therapy: and although there has been
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