March 25, 2010 (7:30 pm)
(Courses) David Fevre MSc (Sports Phys) MCSP SRP Head Physiotherapist, Blackburn...
March 26, 2010 (9:00 am)
(Study Days) Fee – €100/late fee €150(after March 12th 2010) / students and retired...
March 27, 2010 (All Day)
(Courses) CPSEM run 1 day sports massage course with Louise Buffini from the Trinity...
April 10, 2010 (9:00 am)
(Courses) This course will cover all sports taping and aims to have a large...
April 12, 2010 (9:30 am)
(Courses) The Measurement of Body Symmetry - protecting body shape. 2 day training...
April 17, 2010 (9:00 am)
(Study Days) Multi-topic day including Normal Orthopaedic Variants, Developmental...
| Severe weather a warning to HSE to lift recruitment freeze now |
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20th January 2010 The recent severe weather must serve as a warning to the HSE to immediately reverse its recruitment freeze that is severely affecting the recruiting of physiotherapists in acute hospitals, according to Spencer Turvey, Communications Officer of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.
"One of the major fallouts from the severe weather, snow and ice that has recently covered the country, is the number of people who have fallen, suffering a broken limb. Numerous media reports of increased waiting times in our A&E Departments, mainly filled with people who have slipped on the ice, highlight the increase in those who will need physiotherapy to enable them to regain full mobility."
The ISCP spokesperson stated "Early access to physiotherapy accelerates restoration of function, aids return to work, helps to prevent long term complications and disability. All ages have been injured as a result of the cold weather resulting in increased sickness absence and serious disruption to people's independence. Support from Chartered Physiotherapists helps patients to overcome the loss of confidence following a fall which significantly limits their independence. This support has been severely curtailed due to the HSE recruitment embargo, with reduced physiotherapy staff levels struggling to meet the significant increase in demand. The consequence of this recruitment freeze is that 38% of 2009 physiotherapy graduates are unemployed and a further 20% have emigrated to find employment as a physiotherapist.
"Recently published waiting time statistics indicate the waiting time for physiotherapy in most hospitals exceeded 2 months at best, many having to wait over 6 months for a ‘routine outpatient' physiotherapy appointment. With the large numbers of people who fell during the recent weeks, sustaining injuries such as bone fractures and sprains, all requiring physiotherapy, waiting times for physiotherapy are set to increase dramatically. "Adverse implications for the wider society arise from increased sickness benefit costs and decreased productivity due to injured workers. Many vulnerable elderly citizens who sustained hip fractures during the ice and snow may require long term care if not mobilised early. Significant costs to the State can be avoided by the timely provision of rehabilitation from Chartered Physiotherapists proficient in restoring function and minimising disability. As many sports athletes know well, the earlier physiotherapy is commenced following injury, less treatment is required and the faster they can achieve a successful return to sport. Reducing services in physiotherapy and rehabilitation is a false economy." The ISCP urged the HSE to increase recruitment of frontline Chartered Physiotherapists as a cost saving measure, reducing the costs of long term disability for the Irish taxpayer. You can contact your local Chartered Physiotherapist on www.iscp.ie or www.physicaltherapy.ie ENDS |
