- Email: [email protected]
Marching with Pride in Support of the National Health Service
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that our professional practice cannot be conducted in isolation from society and from societal issues that have a profound bearing on the health of mankind' (Watts, 1983). Mrs Wynn-Williams seems also to be disturbed by the manner of the demonstration, which (without elucidating any points of similarity) she equates with those of the miners. Nor does she explain in what way the march was 'militant'. Perhaps she regards all such demonstrations as militant; many might wish to employ this term with considerably less latitude. She further suggests that physiotherapists were abandoning their true duties in order to take part in this event. Others might argue that, on one Saturday of the year at least, physiotherapists should be permitted to use their free time as their consciences dictate, and in the process enlarge the boundaries of their professional responsibility. It is undeniably inconvenient that people should be 'clogging the streets of London' - however, there are certain prices that one must pay for a democratic society. JULIUS SIM BA MSc MCSP Coventry, West Midlands
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REFERENCES Purtilo, R (19861. 'Professional responsibility in physiotherapy: Old dimensions and new directions', Physiotherapy,. 72, 12, 579- 583. Watts, N T (1983). 'The privilege of choice', Physical Therapy, 63, 11, 1802-08. We have received several other letters expressing similar views which are not printed here simply for reasons of space - Editor. MADAM - I agree with Susan WynnWilliams' letter in Physiotherapy last month. The profession has to bury its head in the sand. Physiotherapists should ignore the crisis in the NHS, deny the other caring professions support, and isolate themselves from majority public opinion. Dedication to our task is laudable but we have to be seen to be counted. A M BOYLES MCSP Altrincham, Cheshire
Superintendents in Private Hospitals MADAM - Following the interest shown in
the letter in the Journal of January 1988 about superintendent physiotherapists employed in private hospitals, it is proposed to hold a meeting at the AM1 Portland Hospital for Women, 209 Great Portland Street, London W1, at 2pm on June 4. Anyone interested is invited to contact me at the address below. CLARE TUHEY MCSP Superintendent Physiotherapist Gatwick Park Hospital Povey C-qss Road Horley Surrey RH6 OBB (tel 0273 785511 ext 220)
Letters for publication are always welcome. They should be original and not sent to any other publication.
physiotherapy, May 1988, vol74, no 5
DEVELOPMENT GROUPS The April issue of Physiotherapy carried a letter from Mrs Margaret Ellis, chairman of the College of Occupational Therapists, and Mrs Sheila Philbrook, chairman of the CSP Council, which it is hoped will be widely discussed. Unfortunately, some words were omitted from the letter printed in last month's issue. The full text is given here and if possible discussions should be based on this version.
Development Groups MADAM - The chairmen of Council of the College of Occupational Therapists and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have had discussions about closer working relationships and about how these might benefit the consumer. The Councils have agreed to set up development groups. Small groups of occupational therapists and physiotherapists will discuss how the professions can work together t o serve the short- and long-term needs of people in particular client groups. The groups will focus on potentlal areas of inter-professional concern and identify how these can be resolved by drawing up guide lines for good practice. Each group will consider: (a) The best way to provide care if t w o therapists are both treating the same person. (b) Acceptable limitations of practice if a member of one profession is not available. (c) The appropriateness of one therapist meeting the needs of a person supported by the other therapist, if necessary, in a consultative rola (d) The need for local inter-professional discussion on the guide lines and their implementation. The first three groups will discuss: (a) People with neurological problems, particularly strokes. (b) Children with therapy needs up t o 16 years. (c) Care of elderly people. Any members wishing t o send comments including examples of good practice in these three areas are invited to do so in writing by June 30, 1988, to the Secretaries of their respective organisations. Points about the three areas should be submitted separately. All information received will be used as background material for the groups.
MARGARET ELLIS FCOT Chairman of Council, College of Occupational Therapists SHEILA A PHILBROOK BA MCSP Chairman of Council, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Scotland in t h e Lead MADAM - Concerning the news item on
'Exercise to music teachers' in the April issue of Physiotherapy, I wish to direct your readers' attention to the fact that several years ago we keep-fitters in Scotland recognisedthe need for a fitness and exercise teachers certificate.
The Scottish Keep Fit Association's basic teachers certificate has, since its inception in 1983, been validated by the Scottish Sports Council and is accepted throughout tIi2 United Kingdom. Therefore the validation scheme drawn up by The Royal Society of Arts Examination Board and the 'English' Sports Council may be a first in England, but is certainly not that in Scotland. CHRISTINE THYNNE MCSP Edinburgh
CLOSING DATES FOR THE JOURNAL The closing dates for receipt of copy for the Journal are as follows: 'Courses and Conferences', 'Noticeboard' and Personal': 13th of the month preceding publication. 'Board and Branch Nkws': 15th of the month preceding publication. 'Appointments Vacant': 20th of the month preceding publication. All notices and general correspondence should be addressed to the Editor, 'Physiotherapy', The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, 14 Bedford Row, London WClR 4ED.
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that our professional practice cannot be conducted in isolation from society and from societal issues that have a profound bearing on the health of mankind' (Watts, 1983). Mrs Wynn-Williams seems also to be disturbed by the manner of the demonstration, which (without elucidating any points of similarity) she equates with those of the miners. Nor does she explain in what way the march was 'militant'. Perhaps she regards all such demonstrations as militant; many might wish to employ this term with considerably less latitude. She further suggests that physiotherapists were abandoning their true duties in order to take part in this event. Others might argue that, on one Saturday of the year at least, physiotherapists should be permitted to use their free time as their consciences dictate, and in the process enlarge the boundaries of their professional responsibility. It is undeniably inconvenient that people should be 'clogging the streets of London' - however, there are certain prices that one must pay for a democratic society. JULIUS SIM BA MSc MCSP Coventry, West Midlands
0
REFERENCES Purtilo, R (19861. 'Professional responsibility in physiotherapy: Old dimensions and new directions', Physiotherapy,. 72, 12, 579- 583. Watts, N T (1983). 'The privilege of choice', Physical Therapy, 63, 11, 1802-08. We have received several other letters expressing similar views which are not printed here simply for reasons of space - Editor. MADAM - I agree with Susan WynnWilliams' letter in Physiotherapy last month. The profession has to bury its head in the sand. Physiotherapists should ignore the crisis in the NHS, deny the other caring professions support, and isolate themselves from majority public opinion. Dedication to our task is laudable but we have to be seen to be counted. A M BOYLES MCSP Altrincham, Cheshire
Superintendents in Private Hospitals MADAM - Following the interest shown in
the letter in the Journal of January 1988 about superintendent physiotherapists employed in private hospitals, it is proposed to hold a meeting at the AM1 Portland Hospital for Women, 209 Great Portland Street, London W1, at 2pm on June 4. Anyone interested is invited to contact me at the address below. CLARE TUHEY MCSP Superintendent Physiotherapist Gatwick Park Hospital Povey C-qss Road Horley Surrey RH6 OBB (tel 0273 785511 ext 220)
Letters for publication are always welcome. They should be original and not sent to any other publication.
physiotherapy, May 1988, vol74, no 5
DEVELOPMENT GROUPS The April issue of Physiotherapy carried a letter from Mrs Margaret Ellis, chairman of the College of Occupational Therapists, and Mrs Sheila Philbrook, chairman of the CSP Council, which it is hoped will be widely discussed. Unfortunately, some words were omitted from the letter printed in last month's issue. The full text is given here and if possible discussions should be based on this version.
Development Groups MADAM - The chairmen of Council of the College of Occupational Therapists and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have had discussions about closer working relationships and about how these might benefit the consumer. The Councils have agreed to set up development groups. Small groups of occupational therapists and physiotherapists will discuss how the professions can work together t o serve the short- and long-term needs of people in particular client groups. The groups will focus on potentlal areas of inter-professional concern and identify how these can be resolved by drawing up guide lines for good practice. Each group will consider: (a) The best way to provide care if t w o therapists are both treating the same person. (b) Acceptable limitations of practice if a member of one profession is not available. (c) The appropriateness of one therapist meeting the needs of a person supported by the other therapist, if necessary, in a consultative rola (d) The need for local inter-professional discussion on the guide lines and their implementation. The first three groups will discuss: (a) People with neurological problems, particularly strokes. (b) Children with therapy needs up t o 16 years. (c) Care of elderly people. Any members wishing t o send comments including examples of good practice in these three areas are invited to do so in writing by June 30, 1988, to the Secretaries of their respective organisations. Points about the three areas should be submitted separately. All information received will be used as background material for the groups.
MARGARET ELLIS FCOT Chairman of Council, College of Occupational Therapists SHEILA A PHILBROOK BA MCSP Chairman of Council, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Scotland in t h e Lead MADAM - Concerning the news item on
'Exercise to music teachers' in the April issue of Physiotherapy, I wish to direct your readers' attention to the fact that several years ago we keep-fitters in Scotland recognisedthe need for a fitness and exercise teachers certificate.
The Scottish Keep Fit Association's basic teachers certificate has, since its inception in 1983, been validated by the Scottish Sports Council and is accepted throughout tIi2 United Kingdom. Therefore the validation scheme drawn up by The Royal Society of Arts Examination Board and the 'English' Sports Council may be a first in England, but is certainly not that in Scotland. CHRISTINE THYNNE MCSP Edinburgh
CLOSING DATES FOR THE JOURNAL The closing dates for receipt of copy for the Journal are as follows: 'Courses and Conferences', 'Noticeboard' and Personal': 13th of the month preceding publication. 'Board and Branch Nkws': 15th of the month preceding publication. 'Appointments Vacant': 20th of the month preceding publication. All notices and general correspondence should be addressed to the Editor, 'Physiotherapy', The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, 14 Bedford Row, London WClR 4ED.
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