1. Physiotherapy Is it the career for you!! Trish Acton MSc MCSP

2. My Pathway  Qualified in 1988  Junior rotations at Stoke Mandeville  Worked in Canada  Musgrove Park Taunton OPD Gym  Private Practice – sports academies  MSc Sports Injury and Management  Lecturer  Currently  Consultant UKA and EIS  Deputy Trust and Extended Scope physiotherapist

3. What is Physiotherapy?  Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession with a science foundation. The range of work is very broad and varied and involves working with people to:  promote their own health and well being  help restore their movement and function to as near normal as possible when this has been affected by injury, illness or by developmental or other disability

4. Physiotherapists' work covers  health promotion,  preventative healthcare,  treatment and rehabilitation,   The core skills of chartered physiotherapists include  manual therapy,  therapeutic exercise  electro physical modalities

5. Where do we work  Outpatients clinics  Patients in hospital  Schools  Workplaces & Industry  Sports and Community  Women's health  Elderly care  Stroke patients  Orthopaedics  Mental illness  People with learning difficulties  Terminally ill  Private practice  Private organisations - EIS

6. Mature students  Physiotherapy is a profession, which is open to the older student.  At present, approximately 46% of all UK Physiotherapy students are over 21 when they begin training.  Before you can be accepted on to a physiotherapy programme, you will need to show evidence of successful recent academic study, which should be science related.

7. Funding  In England and Wales, funding is via a NHS Means-Tested Bursary.  An application for a bursary is normally made through the relevant university physiotherapy department on your behalf once you have been offered a place.  Students who are awarded bursaries also get their course fees paid and are eligible to apply for a student loan.

8. CSP + HPC  The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 47,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants.  The Health Professions Council (HPC) is an independent, UK-wide health regulator, which set standards of profession training, performance and conduct for 13 health professions including physiotherapy. For more information on the HPC visit - www.hpc- uk.orgwww.hpc- uk.org

9. Masters / accelerated programmes  14 programmes 2 year Msc  Apply directly to schools  Available on CSP website  www.csp.org.uk www.csp.org.uk  Full time academic course very intensive

10. First year  Professional practice and graduate skills (including research methods) Normal movement Health and social care Patient management in cardio- respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological care.

11. Second year  The Autonomous Practitioner Critical Thinking Evidence Based Practice Patient management.  6 clinical placements spread over first and second years

12. Universities looking for  commitment to physiotherapy  work experience or shadowing.  applicants have a clear and realistic idea of the work of a physiotherapist so that they are able to make an informed choice of career.  independent learners with other research and life skills that they can bring to this intensive accelerated programme.  interviewed prior to acceptance on to the programme.

13. Job Crisis – Why!  In February 2001, of the Government announced a planned increase in the number physiotherapists in the NHS in England of 59% by 2009.  At least 9,200 new physiotherapists in England between 2000 and 2009.  This planned expansion of the NHS workforce was backed by the substantial increase in overall NHS expenditure over the same period.

14. Reality  2,240 physiotherapists graduated in 2006. In July, over 90% of them were still looking for their first job.  In December 68 per cent of physiotherapists who graduated from qualifying programmes in England in 2006 were still without their first NHS junior physiotherapy job  No turnover in staff  Currently have 6 qualified physios working as assistants

15. Advantages of Working in NHS  2 years of rotations  Specialise in one field  Clinical physio consultants – up to £50,000  Part time – combined with private practice  Flexible – unpaid leave to work with squads  Secure! and benefits

16. Specialise in sport  Professional approach  Sports science qualification  ACPSM registered  BOA registered  Weekends  Trips away  Sounds glamorous!!!

17. Reality !!!

19. Sports career!  Local clubs – get experience  Junior squads – alongside physio  A.C.P.S.M  Junior rotations  Specialise in OPD  www.acpsm.org

20. Sports Consultancy  Preventative Screening  Multidip approach  Change technique training programme  Crisis management  Communication  Confidentiality