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Winter is here. Or should I say, it never really left. Speak to many of the CSP’s members and they’ll attest that the NHS lives in an almost constant state of ‘winter pressures’. As I write, the system is braced for the already significant pressure to ratchet up a few more notches before Spring arrives. There’s the influx of winter flu, a rise in covid cases and not enough staff; it’s a heady mix and one that was only ever going to result in yet another winter crisis. Recent stories in the media show ambulances stacking up outside hospital, emergency departments on their highest escalation

The FDP is a platform that will sit across NHS trusts and integrated care systems, allowing them to compare, analyse, and share data across geographical, demographic and organisational boundaries. The announcement makes bold claims about the impact of the FDP on some of the long-term challenges experienced in healthcare. The benefit of a safe, efficient and inclusive way of sharing data would be an incredible advance for healthcare in England. Indeed, other countries have been working on it for a number of years already, with the Encompass programme in Northern Ireland, and the National

A year ago this month, we opened a formal ballot for industrial action for members in NHS Scotland. Since then, we have successfully secured mandates for industrial action in all four UK nations, despite some of the most stringent anti-union legislation in the world. Is your data 'strike ready'? One of the toughest challenges to run a legally secure industrial action campaign, is the requirement for unions to disclose accurate membership figures to employers at several stages of a strike campaign. To put us on our best footing for any future action – and to ensure we provide collective union

While we don’t know the exact date we’ll be going to the polls, we do know it must be before January 2025. The electoral clock, therefore, is ticking and it is vital that the CSP seizes this moment to influence and promote the value of physiotherapy. Party conferences give us the opportunity to engage with those currently in, and those hoping to be, in power in the years to come. It is for this reason that I and colleagues from the CSP will be attending party conferences across the UK this year. We know that it is better to be in the room and part of the debate, than watch from the sidelines

NHS England (NHSE) has made significant changes to the roadmap process for first contact physiotherapists (FCPs) working in primary care. While there has been no national announcement, we are aware these changes are being shared in some regions. The changes affect FCPs currently undertaking the portfolio route of the FCP roadmap – originally established by Health Education England (HEE) now NHSE Workforce, Training and Education team (NHSE WTE) – those about to do so, and members currently acting as supervisors in the process. This blog sets out the changes in more detail, our position and

A train chugging along slowly, filled to the rafters with people forced to leave their homes - their whole lives - separated from their families. Their direction of travel was based on their faith, Hindus and Sikhs came together travelling east while Muslims migrated west. The partition of India in 1947 was the largest mass migration event in history with millions of people displaced from their homes, widespread riots and thousands of deaths. Those who once lived together as neighbours became divided by their religion. The consequence of the dissolution of the British Raj was like a dagger

At the end of June, health and social care staff in Northern Ireland will once again be the lowest paid in the UK. The CSP has now opened a consultation to assess if members would consider taking industrial action over our lack of a pay award. In the midst of political stalemate it can be tempting to ignore the e-mails from the CSP and to think "what can we can do to make any change" or “what’s the point”. But, it is really important we make our voice heard. The CSP is continuing to work with other unions with members in health and social care in Northern Ireland, to try to improve the

The CSP welcomes the Labour health mission in which party leader Keir Starmer detailed the desire to lead a tech revolution in the NHS In England including increased use of the NHS App, patient-focussed booking of appointments, fully digital health records, use of AI, genomics, incentives for innovation, and more. While we welcome the intention to use digital technology to drive improvement in healthcare provision, there has been a growing workforce of clinical and technical staff trying to do this for a number of years already with varying levels of success. Members of the physiotherapy

Watch members mobilise around fair pay, recruitment and retention in physiotherapy H ealth union s’ preparations to take collective action brought the Scottish government back round the negotiating table, and delivered a revised pay offer that was accepted by our members. Now, most unions have been decided to pause their threatened Welsh NHS strikes, to allow for consultation s on a new pay offer. While t he struggle for an improvement in England’s pay award remains ongoing against an intransigent UK government – now is clearly a crucial moment for workers to realise their collective power

The CSP therefore understands the importance of those working in the independent sector and values its self-employed members. Having been a self-employed member this is particularly important to me. I started my career as a junior physiotherapist in a small MSK private practice in west London. My experiences at the time have massively shaped my professional journey up to now. Supporting patients through their recovery or helping them manage long-term conditions, often as a first point of contact, was both daunting and exhilarating. Due to the support I received, I learnt quickly and safely