The CSP has called for workforce and funding to match policy priorities in its submission to the government’s consultation on the future of NHS England.
The government is set to publish a 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS next year, outlining how it will shift NHS priorities from hospitals to communities and from sickness to prevention as well as carry out digital transformation.
As part of its consultation with healthcare organisations and workers on the plan, the CSP submitted evidence calling for rehabilitation to be recognised on a par with medicines and surgery.
CSP’s head of policy, Rachel Newton, said:
‘While the 2019 Long Term Plan took some important steps to lay the groundwork, this time it must follow through with workforce and resources to implement improved access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
At the heart of our submission is the urgent need for more physiotherapists and support workers to address the harm being caused to patients and the physio workforce by inadequate staffing levels.
‘We propose measures to provide healthcare outside hospital settings, including the establishment of funded rehabilitation multi-disciplinary teams in neighbourhood health centres to step up early support for managing symptoms of long-term conditions.
‘These will also increase clinical leadership in the community.
‘Moreover, we are advocating for the full implementation of MSK first contact physiotherapist roles in neighbourhood teams with reformed primary care funding that can support far greater integration with community MSK.’
The CSP also coordinated core messages on rehab with members of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance (CRA) as well as a joint submission to the plan from the CRA Data Task and Finish group.
CSP assistant director and CRA co-chair Sara Hazzard said:
Thanks to the combined efforts of our CRA partners using rehabilitation messaging in their individual submissions, as well as our collective one, we have ensured rehabilitation gains the attention it deserves in shaping the future of healthcare.
'By joining forces, we have highlighted the importance of rehabilitation in enhancing patient outcomes and improving quality of life. Together we will make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of communities.'
The consultation is part of the government’s plans to transform the NHS into a ‘neighbourhood health service’.
CSP members are urged to have their say in the 10 year plan survey, open until spring 2025.
Physiotherapy staff can bring their unique expertise, knowledge and insights to shaping the future of the NHS in the survey.
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