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IRISH SOCIETY OF CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS Meeting with Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children 28 th January 2009 ISCP Delegation: Ms Annette Shanahan, President. Ms Fiona McGrath, Chairperson. Ms Mary Gorman, Vice Chairperson. Mr Ruaidhri O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer.
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IRISH SOCIETY OF CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS Meeting with Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children 28th January 2009 ISCP Delegation: Ms Annette Shanahan, President. Ms Fiona McGrath, Chairperson. Ms Mary Gorman, Vice Chairperson. Mr Ruaidhri O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer.
INTRODUCTION • Physiotherapists play a pivotal role in the delivery of primary care services • Physiotherapists need to be readily accessible at local level, working as an autonomous profession in partnership with GPs and other health professionals • Physiotherapists strive to provide an equitable, appropriate and timely service
Early Intervention Reduces DisabilityProbability of return to work 100 75 % Probability 50 25 0 1 2 Time off Work (Years) Source: CSAG 1994
Early Intervention Reduces DisabilityDays lost due to back pain
Primary Care • A number of initiatives in PCCC in recent years inclusive of physiotherapy services • Recent Health Statistics on PCCC physiotherapy services indicate significant waiting times • Long waiting lists for service in acute hospital outpatient physiotherapy services reflect continuing unmet demands and patient needs • Average waiting times in acute hospitals outpatient physiotherapy services currently = 16 weeks • Best time = 6 weeks; Worst time = 1 year
Current Concerns • 59% of 2008 physiotherapy graduates are unemployed, working outside of physiotherapy, or have emigrated • 42% of 2007 graduates are similarly affected, with only 16% in permanent employment • Most now planning immediate emigration • Confusion around titles of physiotherapist and physical therapist, plus public safety concerns
Requested Actions That this Committee urges the Minister to: • Recruit more physiotherapists for front line services to maximise clinical effectiveness and more efficient use of public money • Ensure public safety by achieving the legal protection of the ‘physiotherapist’ and ‘physical therapist’ titles