Highlights of 2019

As we approach the end of 2019, Frontline asks what has made your year and what are you most hopeful for in the next 12 months.

Physio19. Seeing a packed venue, filled with physios and associates from all areas of the UK and a variety of different workplaces, all together discussing – in essence – how to move the profession forward. It felt more interactive, more sharing of ideas, thoughts, as well as research. Council were there speaking with and listening to members. It was all summed up by one physio who said it had made her fall back in love with the profession.

• Alex MacKenzie, chair of CSP Council

I was part of an international group of physiotherapists who contributed to the World Confederation of Physical Therapy’s (WCPT) first ever diversity and inclusion policy statement. I attended my first ever WCPT Congress in Geneva, May, where I was also involved in my first international congress, part of the focused symposium on diversity and inclusion with physiotherapists from Malta, Canada, USA and Australia. Also I was part of the first cohort to go through the CSP’s Leadership Development Programme (#CSPLDP) as a postgraduate 30 credit module.

• Mohammad Shoiab, pain specialist physiotherapist 

Apart from finishing my studies and being a real physio, it would be representing the student delegation at ARC and debating for the provision of more support for students and educators regarding student mental health while on placement. I only expected to be an audience member that day but loved how the passion and enthusiasm for this profession and its improvement inspired me to stand up for students and talk 
around this subject that I feel so strongly about.

• Amber Roberts, MSc physiotherapy (pre-registration) student, Birmingham City University

Nuffield’s representation at [Physio19] conference with eight posters and a platform presentation. This was a great summary of the collective efforts of our clinicians, which was a very proud moment.

• Robin Higginson, clinical specialist physiotherapy, Nuffield Health

Being involved with my local STP and representing physiotherapy at this level.

• Billy Fashanu, consultant physiotherapist

Oh so many – seeing FCP written in to the NHS Long Term Plan and GP contract, passing my PhD viva, and obviously the CAHPO awards – where I won AHP of the year!

• Rob Goodwin, AHP of the Year and clinical academic physiotherapist, Nottingham CityCare

The opportunity to meet with more than 700 members at CSP country and regional network events this year, all talking about FCP.

• Sarah Withers, CSP head of FCP implementation

Being presented with an excellence award for raising the profile of my profession and AHPs was definitely my highlight, and this was absolutely influenced by my work with the CSP.

• Lorraine Allchurch, assistant therapy practitioner, the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

It has to be Physio19. I felt a lot of things came together in one place over the two days: excellent scientific content; risks taken to try new styles of delivery and to be creative; inspiring speakers; a real sense of community in our profession; but most of all optimism, pride, hope and leadership. We’re not a profession ‘at risk of sleep walking into obscurity’ (as I said in my Founders lecture in 2014) but a profession actively transforming itself and the difference it can make to patients and, essentially, ‘planning for success’ (as we said in the closing plenary for 2019).

• Karen Middleton, CSP chief executive

Since presenting in front of CSP Welsh board I have not looked back. I became associate representative for Wales. I attended the CSP annual representative conference, which was a great experience, and I even got up in front of everyone to speak about something that I am very passionate about. I work within a great ever-changing dynamic team – Caerphilly community resource team – where I am the only senior physiotherapy technician/associate practitioner and am always included. I think it is an exciting time for physiotherapy support workers to raise our profile. 

• Sheryl Barnett, physiotherapy technician, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

The national HCPC return to practice supporting 98 former registered physiotherapists to return to the HCPC register and be part of our much needed workforce to support the Long Term Plan. 

• Paul Chapman,  national programme manager for AHP programmes at Health Education England and one of this year's winners of a CSP distinguished service award 

Hopes for 2020

Further opportunities to connect with our external audience and share with them the huge impact we are having as a charity, aiming to reach 50,000 children via one of our charitable flagship programs ‘SWAP’ programme by the end of the year.

• Robin Higginson, clinical specialist – physiotherapy, Nuffield Health 

That we get real traction for community rehabilitation and the Right to Rehab campaign. This is an area of care I feel passionate about because it is where change can deliver the most significant results for patients, families, the NHS and the public finances. It is an area of healthcare overlooked for far too long and it needs a spotlight shone on it. Rehabilitation is the very essence of physiotherapy and we should be able to engage most of the physiotherapy workforce in this campaign. Working together to influence, drive change and improve community rehabilitation could have the most far-reaching effects and we know it can be done!

• Karen Middleton, CSP chief executive

To have a little more rest! I am currently contributing towards a book chapter on culture and pain, which may be published around autumn 2020. In my role as co-convenor of the CSP’s black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME) network, I hope to work alongside the other diversity networks (LGBT+, disability) and CSP staff, to improve our visibility and reach out to undergraduate students, support workers and qualified members, in times of political uncertainty and hostility, to provide a safe space (online or at CSP offices) to come together and share experiences. For more information visit www.csp.org.uk/diversitynetworks

• Mohammad Shoiab, pain specialist physiotherapist

That all providers of physiotherapy services make it their mission to support return to practice and employ at least one physiotherapist.  

• Paul Chapman, CSP fellow and national programme manager for AHP programmes at Health Education England

To continue to raise the profile of associate members and support workers and the value we add to patient care and the workplace. And to further develop the messages of the Love activity Hate exercise? campaign in my workplace, looking for more opportunities to signpost and encourage patients and staff to be more active.

• Lorraine Allchurch, assistant therapy practitioner, the Dudley Group NHS Trust

That the FCP initiative will grow beyond its currently described operational model to truly realise its potential to enhance patient care, support our GP colleagues and contribute to the sustainability of primary care services.

• Rob Goodwin, clinical academic physiotherapist, Nottingham CityCare

Doing a clinical leadership role, implementing the NHS plan by taking a population based approach to AHPs in Essex.

• Billy Fashanu, consultant physiotherapist

That the insights of members in education, research and practice are translated into effective, evidence based FCP implementation within MSK pathways, which delivers great patient care and enables physios to be their best selves. 

• Sarah Withers, CSP head of FCP implementation

That the beginning of my career as a qualified physiotherapist is just as exciting and empowering as it has been during my time as a student. I am hopeful that my passion for physiotherapy is just as strong and I can have a brilliant year of development.

• Amber Roberts, MSc physiotherapy (pre-registration) student, Birmingham City University

To have one CSP associate member from each health board in Wales so that I can feed back information to the Welsh Board and can inform other associate members, sharing good practices. To have the Level 4 started in Wales to help further develop support workers who want to go onto further education or to progress further. And to look at new ways we can support the ever-growing modern physiotherapy teams of the future.

• Sheryl Barnett, physiotherapy technician, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

To see our new strategy being implemented to create the path for further improvements for physiotherapy especially within community rehab. We are finally being noticed for the amazing range of skills we bring to healthcare and this is one area in real need of investment for the improvement of patients’ lives.

In addition, it is our next round of elections to Council and appointments to the committees and I would love to see a greater range of members putting themselves forward for these roles, to get the greatest breadth of members leading our profession at the CSP.

• Alex MacKenzie, chair of CSP Council