Following the general election on 4th July, the UK has ushered in a new government tasked with addressing a multitude of pressing healthcare issues. With the first explicit mention in any party manifesto since 2010, the Labour party has promised to focus on physiotherapists through developing community services. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is seizing this opportunity to advocate for enhanced access to quality rehabilitation services within the NHS. With statistics revealing that 2.8 million people in the UK are unable to work due to health complications, the CSP's initiatives aim to address workforce shortages, ensure fair pay and improved conditions, and ultimately, transform the landscape of rehabilitation services in the UK. 

Transforming Rehabilitation  

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) plans to lobby the new UK government to prioritise access to quality rehabilitation services within the NHS. The increasing demand from the needs of individuals with long-term conditions and multimorbidity is currently leading to increased strain on the NHS and social care systems’ already-stretched resources. Improving access to rehabilitation services will improve quality of life, reduce pressure on the NHS and help to address the growing numbers of people unable to work due to health complications.  

Address Workforce Shortages 

The CSP will also be advocating for the prioritisation of funding for NHS staffing, a key element of ensuring both safe and effective rehabilitation services. Staffing levels initially suffered due to budget deficits in NHS trusts, but through capitalising on record numbers of physio graduates, they propose to expand the NHS workforce by 12,000 physiotherapists and 6,500 rehabilitation assistants over the next five years. This will aim to address the demand for workforce growth across the private sector and universities also.  

They will also be advocating for an increase in pre-reg apprenticeships and support worker roles, with guaranteed contracts for any newly qualified physios looking to work in the NHS. Further to this, demands include an investment in current NHS physios by developing workforce pathways to meet demands for extended scope, advanced practice and consultant roles.  

Fair Pay & Improved Conditions  

Retention of physiotherapy staff in the NHS is another critical focus, as many are leaving due to burnout and demotivation from an inability to provide the quality of care they aspired to. Too high a number of physios and support workers are facing disincentives to career progression as they take on additional work above their current banding without compensatory pay.  

Through pushing for better pay and working conditions by delivering on the reform of Agenda for Change, the CSP hopes to see an increase in retention levels of physios and support workers in the NHS.  

On top of continuing leadership of the Community Rehabilitation Alliances across the UK, the CSP will seek meetings with the new health secretary and other ministers to discuss how physiotherapy can help tackle current systemic challenges, such as addressing waiting lists and reducing hospital admissions and delayed discharges.  

For members, the CSP encourages active participation in surveys and direct engagement with local MPs to articulate challenges and share visions for future patient care. Member insights and experiences are vital for effective CSP lobbying efforts. 

Check out the full article from the CSP here: https://www.csp.org.uk/frontline/article/general-election-post-election-influencing