National
Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol
Cymru
Health
and Social Care Committee/
Y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol
Public Health (Wales) Bill/ Bil Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Cymru)
Evidence from Chartered Society of Physiotherapy – PHB 70 / Tystiolaeth gan Cymdeithas Siartredig Ffisiotherapi – PHB 70
CSP Wales Office
1 Cathedral Road
Cardiff CF11 9SD
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David Rees AM, Chair
Health & Social Care Committee
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA
4th of September 2015
Dear Chair and Committee Members
CONSULTATION ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH (WALES) BILL
In response to the call by the Health and Social Care Committee for written evidence on the general principles of the Public Health (Wales) Bill, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) in Wales is pleased to make a written contribution.
The CSP has one key issue to which we would like to draw the Committee’s attention and that relates to ‘Part 3 - Special Procedures’. In particular, the issue relates to exemptions from a requirement to be licensed for the specific practice of acupuncture as undertaken by physiotherapists.
Acupuncture is within the scope of physiotherapy practice and physiotherapists are already registered and regulated by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) so do not need to be dual registered with the special procedures register.
In Section 49 sub section (3) paragraph (b) the Bill spells out that ‘regulations may provide that an individual who is registered, in the capacity of a member of that profession or a worker of that description, in a qualifying register is to be treated as exempt’ and section (4) goes on to identify that paragraph (a) – ‘a register maintained by the Health Care Professions Council’. This wording on the face of the Bill does provide the opportunity to ensure there is no need for dual registration just so long as the regulations are definitely brought forward by Welsh Government.
The CSP would be keen to see this point made strongly by the Health & Social Care Committee in its report at the end of Stage 1.
Doctors, dentists and nurses already have exemption by way of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 and their exemption, as can be seen, does not need to be conferred by regulations. Physiotherapists and other HCPC regulated professions are dependent on Welsh Government bringing forward the regulations within Section 49. We are keen to see that they do so and keep pace with the current situation found in Scotland where physiotherapists practising acupuncture are already exempt.
The CSP would also like to take this opportunity to highlight that the profession is a signatory of the submission made by a wide range of professions and third sector organisations and looks forward to continuing to play an active role in this collaborative. We hope the points raised will be useful to committee members.
The CSP looks forward to continued involvement in the scrutiny of the Public Health (Wales) Bill.
If you require any further information from the professional body please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely
Philippa Ford MBE MCSP
CSP Policy & Public Affairs Manager for Wales
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In association with:
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Welsh Board
The Welsh Physiotherapy Leaders Advisory Group
About the CSP and Physiotherapy
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK’s 53,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers. The CSP represents 2,300 members in Wales.
Physiotherapists use manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and rehabilitative approaches to restore, maintain and improve movement and activity. Physiotherapists and their teams work with a wide range of population groups (including children, those of working age and older people); across sectors; and in hospital, community and workplace settings. Physiotherapists facilitate early intervention, support self management and promote independence, helping to prevent episodes of ill health and disability developing into chronic conditions.
Physiotherapy delivers high quality, innovative services in accessible, responsive and timely ways. It is founded on an increasingly strong evidence base, an evolving scope of practice, clinical leadership and person centred professionalism. As an adaptable, engaged workforce, physiotherapy teams have the skills to address healthcare priorities, meet individual needs and to develop and deliver services in clinically and cost effective ways. With a focus on quality and productivity, physiotherapy puts meeting patient and population needs, optimising clinical outcomes and the patient experience at the centre of all it does.