ABOUT US

We promote & advocate for the physiotherapy profession in Ireland

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists is the national, professional body representing over 3,000 Chartered Physiotherapists in Ireland. The Society is respected and recognised both within and outside the profession, as the voice of physiotherapy in Ireland.

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About ISCP

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists is the national, professional body representing over 3,000 Chartered Physiotherapists in Ireland. The Society is respected and recognised both within and outside the profession, as the voice of physiotherapy in Ireland. We support our members in delivering the highest standards of professional care and work with them to develop their skills and support them in their practice.

The Society is the sole Irish Member Organisation of the international physiotherapy professional organisation, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) and contributes to the development of the profession both nationally and internationally. In Ireland the title Chartered Physiotherapist can only be used by current members of the Society or by the members of our equivalent body in the United Kingdom, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). The initials MISCP indicate that a physiotherapist is a member of the Society. Chartered Physiotherapists represent the highest standard of practice and service and set the benchmark for professional practice in Ireland.

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) is the Professional Body for the Physiotherapy profession in Ireland. 

Mission

Our Mission is to promote and advocate for the physiotherapy profession and to support our members in leading and collaborating on the delivery of the highest standards of professional care.

The ISCP provides a range of exciting services to its membership including:

  • Advocacy & Supports

  • Professional Development Opportunities

  • Clinical & Specialist Development

  • Advice on Professional Issues and Practice


Chartered Physiotherapists, who are all members of the Society, work in a variety of settings including hospital, the community and private practice. They help to treat patients and service users from all age groups and all walks of life from birth right through to old age (See What is a Chartered Physiotherapist for more information)

 

The organisational structure and rules of procedure for the ISCP are determined by the constitution of the ISCP. The management and direction of the affairs of the society are vested in the Board, which is the ultimate policy-making body. The Board is comprised of the Officers of the Society and other Directors. Two external directors are appointed by the board for their expertise in fields other than physiotherapy. The Board has authority for, and is accountable to, the Society's members and the public.


The officers of the Society are a President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Director of Professional Development, Director of International Affairs and Director of Communications. 

This organogram shows our governance structure.

 

Annual General Meeting

In accordance with our Bylaws, the ISCP holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists each year in the October/November timeframe.

 

Year in Review

Read the Society’s latest annual report here published each year in October.

Corporate Partners

Approved Corporate Partners can promote their products to ISCP members and other health professionals using the wording: “Supported by ISCP”

The following is a list of Corporate Partners of the Society:

Physitrack
Carysfort Healthcare/Thermacare

Are you interested in partnering with the ISCP?

Contact Dr Marie Ó Mír, CEO
Email:[email protected]

Recognised Products

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) provides relevant professional recognition to assist the consumer in identifying products of therapeutic benefit. Products recognised by the Society are rigorously reviewed by a group of expert members of the profession and approved by the Board of the Society.

For more information contact [email protected]

Current Recognised Products:
Fleming Medical Physiologix

 

Professional Collaborations

The Society collaborates with a number of professional bodies and patient organisations on advocacy and health promotion issues.
Do you have a project that resonates with the Physiotherapy message? If so, contact [email protected] and let us know.

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What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a health profession that works to improve or maintain maximum movement and functional ability, so it is useful if you have trouble with any aspect of body movement. Physiotherapy involves the use of mainly physical treatments such as exercise, manipulation, mobilisation, massage and electrotherapy to help patients achieve their full movement potential. It is often prescribed following injury, or to treat symptoms of aging, disability, disease, disorders or conditions.  Physiotherapy can help you achieve and maintain movement for life. 

Physiotherapists are health professionals who are responsible for developing, maintaining or restoring movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan across the health spectrum using evidence-based practice.

They

  • Relieve pain and treat or prevent physical conditions.
  • Promote physical independence and empower patients, and their carers, to manage their condition outside the clinical settings.
  • Design and prescribe interventions specific to the individual (following assessment) to help people where movement and function are threatened by illness, pain, ageing, injury, disability, disease or environmental factors.
  • Identify and maximise movement potential through promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.

Chartered Physiotherapists, who are all members of the Society, work in a variety of settings including hospital, the community and private practice. The help to treat patients and service users from all age groups and all walks of life from birth right through to old age. 

What is a Chartered Physiotherapist?

A chartered physiotherapist is a qualified member of their professional body, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapy (ISCP). A Chartered Physiotherapist is a university graduate with hospital-based training who has comprehensive knowledge of how the body works, along with specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of muscle and joint pain. When you choose a physiotherapist who is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered physiotherapists (ISCP), you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that they are a part of Ireland’s only professional body within its field. 

It is your guarantee that they have been trained to the highest academic and professional standards – and also that they continue to keep abreast of emerging trends and developments through a programme of Continuous Professional Development.

Choosing a Chartered Physiotherapist assures you that your chosen practitioner is fully committed to upholding the highest standards of medical and ethical standards.

How do I become a chartered physiotherapist?

To become a Chartered Physiotherapist you will have to:

  • Complete a three or four year undergraduate university degree course (or a 2 year accelerated entry to practice MSc) which includes at a minimum 1000 hours of clinical practice
  • Be CORU registered
  • Be accepted as a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists
  • Undertake continuous professional development

Where can I learn more about becoming a physiotherapist?

In Ireland there are 4 Universities offering degree courses in physiotherapy

 University College Cork (UCC) offers a MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration). This an accelerated pre-registration programme for students with a relevant primary degree in a subject other than physiotherapy. 

Please contact the above universities for their student information booklet that gives full details of the course requirements and subjects. 

What Does Studying Physiotherapy Involve?

Subjects studied include anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and behavioural sciences. Emphasis is put on practical skills, including 1,000 hours of supervised clinical work. Project work and research skills are also developed as an undergraduate.

Where do physiotherapists work?

  • Hospitals - in outpatients, on medical and surgical wards and in specialised units such as intensive care, coronary care, burns and rehabilitation centres;
  • Community and Primary Care Health Centres – either in a dedicated Health centre or visiting people in their homes, giving treatment, advice and appliances to help improve independence;
  • Special Schools - helping mentally and physically disabled children achieve their full potential;
  • The Workplace - providing ergonomic assessments, pre-employment screening, risk management and educating workers in correct lifting and handling techniques;
  • Private Practice - assessing and treating a wide variety of muscle, joint and ligament problems as well as women’s health, neurological, respiratory conditions and many more.

What are the different areas of physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists help and treat patients from all age groups and all walks of life. This includes anyone from premature babies and children in special schools to the elderly in Day Care Centres. Physiotherapists also help members of your local sports teams including GAA, Soccer and Rugby at all levels right up to elite athletes involved in all sports at national and international level. You will also find our members treating injured workers and helping to ensure a safe working environment, or educating women on antenatal/postnatal care and fitness prior to childbirth. Chartered Physiotherapists are involved in many other areas such as:

  • Back and Neck Pain;
  • Headaches;
  • Sporting injuries, fitness monitoring, pre-season assessment, treatment of injuries;
  • Respiratory care, helping people overcome breathing difficulties and preventing infection;
  • Orthopaedics, rehabilitating people following surgery on bones and joints e.g. total knee replacement;
  • Paediatrics, helping babies in special care units, helping children in developmental clinics and special schools to achieve independence;
  • Neurology, helping people suffering from conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, head injury and others to overcome problems due to muscle weakness, pain and poor balance to increase their independence at home;
  • Care of the Elderly, ensuring that the elderly maintain or improve their mobility, strength and balance so that they can lead full and active lives;
  • Cardiac Care, Rehabilitation and fitness following heart surgery or a heart attack.

What is CORU?

CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. Their role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals. Is your physiotherapist registered with CORU? You can check online https://coru.ie/check-the-register/ 

All physiotherapists in Ireland must be registered with CORU. This is a condition of using the title ‘physiotherapist’ or ‘physical therapist’, claiming to be an active member of the profession, and practising physiotherapy anywhere in Ireland, whether in the HSE, independent or working in other sectors.

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