Government’s refreshed workforce plan likely to include expansion of physiotherapy workforce

The health secretary has said that the government and the NHS will unveil a refreshed Workforce Plan next summer, with a focus on taking care out of hospitals and into communities. 

The Daily Telegraph reports that reforms are likely to require 'far more community roles for physiotherapists, nurses and health visitors.' 

The article shares details of how these will be delivered: 

Sara Hazzard, assistant director at the CSP and co-chair of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance, said: 

‘It is an extremely encouraging sign that the refreshed workforce plan is expected to include an expansion of the physiotherapy workforce in community settings.  

The government seems to be listening to our calls to place physiotherapy staff at the heart of their plans to tackle the major issues faced by the NHS. 

Rehabilitation, which includes the role of physiotherapy, is essential to the future of a sustainable NHS—one that meets patients' needs and is accessible in their communities. 

'While we await the publication of the plan, there is no doubt that the government must prioritise rehabilitation and physiotherapy, ensuring they receive the recognition and support they deserve.'

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As part of the earlier iteration of the workforce plan, the previous government committed to a 3.3 per cent annual increase in registered physiotherapy posts in NHS services. 

This previous plan was not modelled on population need, and the CSP believes its calculations will therefore fall far short of the staffing needed to unlock the full benefits of other interventions such as surgery and other treatments through high-quality rehab.  

The number of physiotherapists currently being trained can make a big difference to improving the health of the UK population and alleviating pressure within healthcare systems. The upcoming workforce plan must fully utilise the potential of the growing physiotherapy workforce. There must be physiotherapy roles in every one of the announced neighbourhood health centres. 

The workforce plan will echo the government’s publication of the 10 Year Plan for NHS England, outlining what staff will be needed to deliver the next decade’s priorities.