Your CSP has been at work at party conferences making the case for physiotherapy, says Rob Yeldham, director of strategy, policy and engagement
With political party conference season just over, the CSP policy team is taking stock of its successes in connecting with ministers, MPs and other parliamentarians on behalf of you and the physiotherapy profession.
With Labour newly elected to government the CSP successfully expanded the physiotherapy presence at their conference in Liverpool. We met with the new health secretary Wes Streeting and health ministers Stephen Kinnock, Andrew Gwynn and Karin Smyth. Liz Kendall, the secretary of state for work and pensions, and chief secretary to the treasury Darren Jones also met with us to hear about how rehabilitation can support people back to work and save the taxpayer money.
We also shared the importance of rehab for patients, and actor David Harewood tried out our new augmented reality rehab experience at the CSP conference exhibition stand.
The CSP is politically independent, so we engage with a range of parties. But we are mindful of using members’ money, so we have a particular focus on governing parties or those who have most influence where there are not majority governments. The SNP and Labour conferences have been a key focus this year.
We are increasing our lobbying in Scotland as we are concerned that parliament is showing signs of stepping back from previous commitments on right to rehab and on the physio workforce.
With our presence at conferences over – including the Conservative conference – we will be seeking further meetings with parliamentarians we connected with to continue to influence positively on behalf of you, our members.
Read more on who the CSP connected with in our feature 'Influencing at the highest level'.
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