ISCP President Highlights concerns for Patient Safety for children and entire patient population

 Friday 6th November 2009

Ombudsman for Children opens Chartered Physiotherapists' Annual Conference

Speaking during the ISCP Conference, ISCP President, Annette Shanahan, said she was honoured to have Emily Logan open the Conference: "We are delighted to have Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children, to open our 26th Annual Conference." 

Ombudsman for Children opens Chartered Physiotherapists' Annual Conference

"Emily's role as the First Ombudsman for Children, is an incredibly important and responsible one, with children's' experiences in our healthcare system often to the fore in her daily work."

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) 26th Annual Conference commences today, November 6th in the Crowne Plaza - Northwood Hotel, Santry Dublin, and will focus on a wide range of topics in keeping with the conference theme ‘Physiotherapy - An Evolving Profession'.  The Conference is co-hosted by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Northern Ireland (CSPNI) for the fourth year in succession, strengthening the profession of Physiotherapy on the island of Ireland.

Speaking this morning ISCP President, Annette Shanahan, said she was honoured to have Emily Logan open the Conference: "We are delighted to have Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children, to open our 26^th Conference.  Emily's role as the First Ombudsman for Children, is an incredibly important and responsible one, with children's' experiences in our healthcare system often to the fore in her daily work.  As a former Temple Street Hospital Children's Nurse and Director of Nursing in both Crumlin and Tallaght Hospitals, she understands our issues well, and shares our concerns for patient safety, for children, and all our patient populations."

In addition to having keynote speakers from Ireland, a number of renowned international speakers will also present at the event. Of note, research on Cystic Fibrosis (CF) from Cork demonstrated an increased incidence of osteoporosis¹ in children with CF to be 6% and the incidence of osteopenia² to be as high as 45%.  This increases their predisposition to fractures, but can be addressed through diet, appropriate exercise prescription and education. Strategies to address Physiotherapy management of this problem will be discussed during the Conference this afternoon.

Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children, said: "I am delighted to be opening this conference today. My Office is being contacted more and more by professionals who are advocating on behalf of children and their families. Chartered Physiotherapists work with children in universal settings and therefore are well positioned to understand some of the complex issues facing many children in society today. Only yesterday, with the announced closure of the Special Care Unit in Ballydowd were we reminded of the vulnerability of some of our children and how reliant they are on a system that doesn't always meet their needs. Professionals working with children at the coalface understand the level of support vulnerable children require and by making their voices heard are helping to improve not just the system but these children's lives too."

A range of issues will be covered at the conference with focus on primary health care delivery. The need to provide healthcare at a site easily accessible to the patient population will be discussed.  In particular, the development of Primary Care in inner-city Dublin will forewarn delegates of the challenges.  A keynote address will question Primary Care Physiotherapy in the UK and demonstrate an impossible challenge or natural evolution.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

• Sinéad Fennell, Communications & Events Coordinator, ISCP, 086 6075266

Note for Editors:

¹Osteoporosis (brittle bones with history of fracture)

²Osteopenia (brittle bones)

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) is the designated authority for Physiotherapy in Ireland and is the sole body recognised by the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT).

The Society was founded in 1983 following a number of developments in the profession including the establishment of a university degree qualification. Over the years there has been an increased public demand for the services of the Chartered Physiotherapist and it is the role of the Society to ensure that this demand is met by the highest standards of care.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Northern Ireland (CSPNI) is part of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy which is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 49,000 Chartered Physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants.

For further details on the Office of the Ombudsman for Childrens Office please see www.oco.ie