Not gold plated, but worth our weight in gold

The Hutton report on public sector pensions revealed that although the pensions are not ‘gold plated’, considerable changes to future contribution rates, final salary basis, pension age and outsourced services are proposed.

The CSP have produced an initial response, but as the report is large and complex we will produce more guidance in the near future.

On Tuesday 19th October there is a rally and lobby of the Houses of Parliament in support of public services. Planned by the TUC, the rally takes place the day before the government announces the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The rally begins at midday at Central Westminster Hall so if you can, join me, CSP staff, stewards and members from all areas of the profession. CSP have provided an information sheet with a standard letter you can use to write to your MP to request a meeting after the rally. I have used the template to write to mine.

On Friday the Professional Issues group of the EWCPT met in Warwick at the invitation of Sarah Bazin, current President of EWCPT. The newly-formed group formulated priorities for the coming year.

It was great to meet physiotherapists from Ireland, Estonia, Denmark and the Netherlands, and to hear the group’s plans to explore self-referral services across Europe, and clinical guidelines.

This week will find me in Liverpool at the annual CSP Congress, where I will join around a thousand delegates, speakers and trade representatives for what looks to be an excellent event.

You can book online right up until 12pm on Thursday, and ‘pay at the door’ on the day. Of course all members cna attend the AGM, when the annual report will be presented for approval.

There are five strands or themes at Congress, with keynote speakers, professional seminars and workshops. There’s a CSP helpdesk providing advice and answering questions on the NHS white paper, on pension proposals and proposed changes to the NHS and private/independent sector.

At Congress I’m looking forward to hearing Alistair Campbell. He’s a controversial choice to deliver the Founders lecture. But having heard him speak before, on mental illness, I look forward to hearing the reactions of others.

Socially, there’s an evening reception with the Bootleg Beatles (in Sergeant Pepper mode) and as always there are opportunities to meet others, share ideas and catch up with friends.

Do stop me, or Vice Chair Helena Johnson, for a chat. We’ll be the ones in the gold chains! We look forward to hearing feedback on Congress, the work of the CSP, or just saying hello and hearing a bit about you.

Congress is a time when as profession we showcase the very best in physiotherapy research, professional practice, service delivery and education. It’s ongoing proof that physiotherapy is worth its weight in gold.

– Ann

Up close and political: CSP at the Conservative party conference

It’s the final political conference of the season, and the CSP team attended key fringe meetings to make the case for physiotherapy, to listen to ministers set out policy, and to network with the great and good. Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley was immediately in front of us at security. You never know where those first introductions will take place!

Anne Milton (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, responsible for AHPs) was a panellist at a fringe meeting where CSP CEO Phil Gray highlighted the opportunities for effective health care delivery by implementation of patient self-referral to physiotherapy services.

At a meeting chaired by Earl Howe (Under Secretary of State, Department of Health) there was a discussion about patient-reported outcomes in long term conditions. I was able to frame a question that emphasised how physiotherapists are uniquely placed to lead in this area.

I also attended a session based on Dragon’s Den, with three groups pitching an idea, making the case for their cause’s funding. A physiotherapist in the audience spoke forcefully about the role of the expert patient. The session was fun and informative – I wonder if we could try something similar at CSP Congress next year.

The CSP team met long-standing acquaintances from the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of General Practitioners. We also made new contacts, with Donna Castle (Head of Public Affairs) linking up with a charity focusing on premature babies. We are setting up a meeting to explore how physiotherapists working within this speciality could develop a partnership.

The conference hall was packed for Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s speech. He rehearsed some of the arguments for proposed changes but did not develop any of the new reforms in detail.

* * *

For me, the conference season has been fascinating. It has given CSP the opportunity to follow up contacts in the coming weeks. We are meeting Anne Milton in a few weeks at the House of Commons, so we can reinforce some of our main messages.

The conference season has highlighted leadership, from the Miliband brothers to David Cameron leading a conference where for the first time in 13 years, the Conservative party are in government.

Therefore it was timely for the East Midlands network to stage their leadership conference last week. The success of CSP’s English regional networks is partly because of common strategic goals, but also because they have been encouraged to explore regional initiatives.

Led by Catherine Pope, Council member, the East Midlands Network attracted about 60 delegates listening to a number of speakers on leadership style, and on the pathways to leadership roles.

The overall message was that we are all leaders, and now more than ever is the time to show leadership in the workplace. The network launched its mentorship scheme, offering a brilliant opportunity for members to support each other.

It’s the final day of the conference but less than 10 days before the CSP Congress in Liverpool. We have an excellent programme. I’m looking forward to being part of the ‘voice for physiotherapy’ amongst our membership, instead of pushing myself forward to find a physiotherapy perspective for every encounter!

– Ann

A new term begins for Ed Miliband, and physiotherapy students across the UK

The CSP team are in Manchester for the Labour party conference, and the aftermath of the leadership elections. Ed Miliband is the new Labour Party leader, but it’s business as usual for Andy Burnham, leadership contender and shadow Secretary of State for Health.

Burnham has been a key speaker at many of the fringe meetings. A strong defence of the NHS is a common theme, from the platform and from the audiences. There is concern that the proposed reforms in the white paper could change the character of the NHS forever.

The main Labour party conference is supported by hundreds of fringe meetings at breakfast, lunch and into the evening.  These meetings offer the best opportunity for us to influence the agendas for health, social care, work and pensions.

Donna Castle (Head of Public Affairs at the CSP) planned our campaign and we were each dispatched to a different meeting in order to maximise impact. Kenryck Lloyd Jones (CSP policy officer for Scotland) attended all events relating to Scotland, meeting politicians and other policy officers.

Phil Gray was invited to speak on the panel for the Work Foundation, on the connection between improving the mental and physical condition of the workforce, and on the benefits for the economy and individual workers.

His powerful evidence-based arguments for early intervention for MSD, and the contribution that physiotherapy makes (as seen in Dr Steve Boorman’s review) won resounding agreement from the panel.

Outside of the fringe, meetings with potential partners included people from the fitness industry, and a drug company who support the consultation process that is currently considering independent prescribing for physiotherapists and podiatrists.

* * *

This week a new term begins for more than 1,000 physiotherapy undergraduates. The majority of become student CSP members, enjoying the benefits we offer. But they also start becoming professionals, a process aided by joining the society.

As many readers will now know, there’s a chance that in the lecture theatre on induction, new students become lifelong friends. Many of you, like me, will have formed some of your closest friendships from within physiotherapy.

My own children have returned to university this week, so I’ll be able to see my daughter’s bedroom floor for the first time in 3 months. And I must remember to cancel the 10 pints of milk my son gets through!

Here at the conference, another full day includes the fringe meeting on how medical research can crack our toughest health problems. I hope to ask about the contribution that physiotherapy research can make to improving health.

If not, there’s always the new Head Boy Ed to listen to, in his first conference speech.

– Ann

Greetings and solidarity! The TUC, Council and the White Paper

As the political party conferences start, CSP is already actively influencing on your behalf. At the TUC conference in Manchester, CSP had a 5-strong delegation led by Lesley Mercer (Director of ERUS) and Phil Gray (CEO).

It was my first time at the TUC and I was surprised by the number of fringe events running alongside the programme of business. It‘s like an Edinburgh festival for the trade union movement, with CSP appearing on the main stage and at the fringe.

Early press coverage suggested a militant start to the Congress, promising a ‘winter of discontent’. The event itself covers a range of issues including equal rights, arts, media & culture, education and health. Speakers are informed, passionate and provide real life examples to illustrate their points.

I attended on Tuesday, when CSP was represented in three very different debates. Alex McKenzie (Chair of Industrial Relations) spoke on the workplace agenda for women. Shirley Rainey, (Council) contributed to the debate about Haiti, citing the support that the CSP and its members had provided.

Shirley informed the delegates about the work of physiotherapists, funded by CSP members who are providing rehabilitation to the people of Haiti. It was moving to hear about the practical help provided, and about the role of physiotherapy in emergency disaster zones.

A passionate speech by Lesley Mercer in the NHS debate was well received in the hall – and picked up by the national press. Her message, that the coalition government is taking a huge gamble with patient care and taxpayers’ money, became sound bite of the day.

* * *

Phil Gray and I returned from Manchester for the CSP Council meeting, where the white paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS was a key agenda item. The afternoon was devoted to a workshop based upon the CSP analysis of the white paper, with particular reference to the nature of the NHS, commissioning and pay, pensions, and conditions of employment.

There was recognition that change also presents opportunities, though concern and uncertainty tipped the balance. Council has broad and experienced representation, so wide ranging views from across the profession and the four countries feed into CSP strategy and policy.

The need for members to have a clear steer on CSP position and for CSP to provide information and other resources to help each of us make the case for physiotherapy is our top priority. The white paper is out to consultation until October 5. It is not yet a done deal, so we must act quickly.

Prior to the debate in Council, the Royal College of General Practitioners released a statement raising concerns with commissioning, asking the Government for more time.  So we are not alone. We are working with existing partners and actively seeking new alliances.

– Ann

Associates with attitude and Irish hospitality

The Associate member conference held in Manchester last Friday was an excellent event. Eighty associates with attitude: positive, challenging and patient-focussed. It was the fifteenth annual event. The programme included lectures, workshops and a discussion forum on roles within the workplace.

The discussion revealed variety across the UK. The diverse nature of the associate role and the innovative contribution to patient care pathways was impressive. Individuals who were really breaking new ground and helping to redesign care pathways always had supportive colleagues and managers who recognised the contribution that associates make in the interests of the patients and the service.

The day was informative and fun, including a session on health and safety. No mean feat to make this engaging, but run as Who Wants to be a Millionaire (or a health and safety officer!) it achieved that difficult balance between humour and information.

* * *

I flew into Belfast for the Northern Ireland Board meeting. Tom Sullivan, our CSP policy officer, met me and updated me on the current situation in Northern Ireland and the challenges that physiotherapists have been facing there for at least two years.

There is real concern that the ‘new’ economic situation will be even harder for members in Northern Ireland because they have been facing difficult times, with disestablishment or freezing of posts, for a few years now.

Natalie Beswetherick, Director of Practice and Development at CSP, also travelled over and with Tom, we met physiotherapy managers. They meet collectively to discuss the ongoing situation and offer each other support and share information. Together they are trying to make the case for physiotherapy, whilst being mindful of the imperative to do things differently.

The Northern Ireland Board meeting followed. Natalie and I joined the meeting, where local issues were discussed. Liz Cavan, their representative on Council, discussed the forthcoming Council meeting and gathered views in order to represent them on Wednesday. Graduate employment continues to cause concern, with many graduates having to seek work abroad.

It was good to meet our CSP staff in Northern Ireland. Tom also showed me a little bit of Belfast. It was my first visit so I appreciated the tour of peace line, the loyalist and nationalist areas, and a potted history from Tom in Robinsons with live Irish music, laughter and a pint.

* * *

I’m writing from Manchester, where we have a very active delegation at the TUC conference. Another first for me, but not for the CSP. Our very experienced team is led by Lesley Mercer, Director of Employment Relations and Union Services, and Phil Gray.

The Physiotherapy Oscars, Congress and Broadening Horizons

After a holiday in Cornwall it’s back to some sort of routine, though since becoming Chair, nothing is routine! My blog will share a ‘typical’ week, capturing life in the Chair as well as key CSP events and developments.

Our professional awards committee has just judged more than 50 entries for the CSP physiotherapy awards. The winners will be revealed at the CSP annual awards ceremony, held at the Russell Hotel in London.

This year is a departure from the normal format, resulting in a huge response from nominees. Last year Natalie Beswetherick (Head of Practice and Development) and I were guests at the AHP Awards.

We were impressed by the buzz to the occasion which was run as an Oscar-style event, with neither nominees nor presenter knowing who had won until the envelope was opened.

I was also struck by the ‘feel good factor’ of teams competing rather than individuals, and thought that as CSP members are great team players, we might receive more nominations if we encouraged teams.

All nominations were scored against criteria before the committee met to collate the scores. Even this stage was exciting, with an amazing amount of agreement between committee members based on objective scoring. I’m looking forward to the event and the opening of the gold envelopes.

* * *

CSP Congress is again being held in Liverpool this year and there is still time to book for a great event. This year’s five themes cover a breadth of topics and we have some excellent keynote speakers.

Alistair Campbell is giving the Founders Lecture – possibly one of the most controversial choices for a while. I heard him a year ago at a literary festival, where he was promoting his book.

I had preconceived ideas about the ‘master of spin’ and was totally unprepared for the passionate talk he gave about mental health in the workplace. Campbell is witty, skilful and challenging, so come with an open mind. There should be less crushed linen and fewer panama hats than at the literary festival but he will definitely inform and entertain.

The recent government white paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS will affect everyone – students, associates, NHS staff, private practitioners, educators and researchers. The proposed changes will be far reaching, offering both opportunities and challenges for us all.

Throughout Congress the CSP stand will include a special advice and help desk, so you can ask everything you ever wanted to know. The CSP website is also being regularly updated with briefings about the proposed changes and advice for members.

* * *

Today is World Physical Therapy Day. The World Confederation of Physical Therapy promotes our contribution to health and rehabilitation. With 101 member organisations, WCPT collectively represents 350,000 physical therapists. This year the focus is on the key contribution that physiotherapy can make to the health of older people.

And this week finishes with the Associates Conference in Manchester. It is billed ‘Broadening Horizons’, covering some really interesting topics. So apart from broadening my own horizons I’m looking forward to meeting and chatting to our associate members.

– Ann

A week with celebrations and more, more, more on liberating the NHS

Are many of you, like me, often juggling home and work – and trying to keep up with reading about important developments?

The speed at which consultation documents relating to the government’s recent white Paper about the future of the NHS are being produced and circulated by the Department of Health means that there’s always something important to read on the train, at the kitchen table or in between life and work.

I’m aware many of you are in a similar situation. CSP is working to distill information about the proposed changes into a readable and useful format for members. You can keep in touch via iCSP, the email bulletins and the CSP website.

At CSP we have three key aims: to inform members, to respond on behalf of the Society to these government consultations, and to try to influence policy and policy makers at every opportunity. ‘White paper news’ (Dept of Health, 19th July) has a section called ‘What the White Paper means for frontline NHS’.

The first segment is all about Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), followed by GPs and then hospital doctors. The White Paper initially didn’t highlight the role of AHPs, and this new supplement shows that persistent lobbying from the CSP and the Allied Health Professions Federation has had an effect.

* * *

This week has been good for celebrating successes and for meeting with physiotherapists at life-changing points in their careers. I was invited by the University of Brighton to the celebration and prizegiving for their final year students.

It was great to applaud the graduates’ success along with parents, friends and teaching staff, all who had contributed to their journeys. I wish them luck as they pursue the career of their choice and I am confident that they will be carry the profession forwards, each in their own individual ways.

* * *

Back to London for an afternoon at the AHP Leadership Challenge, where the winning team was selected and received their awards from David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS.

He urged all of us in the NHS and Health care to seize opportunities and take the initiative as it was easier to ‘seek forgiveness than gain permission’. I am already contemplating what I can achieve by keeping the phrase in mind!

He also spoke about service integration between health and social care. His strong message was that AHPs are ‘unique’ in that they already work across health and social care and so will be key to success in this area. The leadership challenge had 849 entries from 12 out of the 13 AHP professions (no drama therapists apparently).

There was then a shortlist of 600 for the regional heats, where teams were a mix of professions and grades. The 10 regional finalists were invited to London to engage in a two-day problem-solving scenario. The winning team was the South West, including physiotherapists Rosie Yarnall and Donna Pike.

It was brilliant to meet all the finalists. Despite the event being about celebrating AHP teams, it’s hard not to feel especially proud of the physiotherapy participants!

They too are at a career-changing point. If last year’s winners are anything to go by, many have moved into leadership roles, and most say that the leadership events gave them the confidence to do things differently.

Just like those starting out from the Brighton course, they have new energy and enthusiasm to meet the challenges.

– Ann