Just 20 posts for newly qualified physiotherapists as 3,000 qualify
Recruitment freezes appear to be impacting the number of newly qualified physiotherapists trying to get their first NHS job, the CSP said as it called on Government officials to act.
This year 3,000 physiotherapy graduates will be finishing their studies and looking for work, the CSP said.
NHS Jobs, the health service recruitment website for jobs in England, has just 20 entry level jobs currently on offer, according to CSP analysis.
And a poll of 1,800 physiotherapists found 22% said that recruitment of clinical staff is partially paused in their organisation and 11% reported a total pause.
Concerns have been raised that UK-trained physiotherapists are seeking work abroad due to 'how hard it is to break into the NHS'.
The professional body highlighted how 300,000 people are waiting for musculoskeletal treatment in England alone.
Newly qualified physiotherapists can help bring down this waiting list it said, as well as bring down waits for respiratory problems, neurological conditions, and provide post-surgical rehab.
The CSP has written to the Department of Health and Social Care, calling for all newly qualified clinicians to be offered an NHS role.
Ash James, director of practice and development at the CSP, said: 'It is absurd that with public concern about waiting lists, hundreds of capable and committed graduates are being locked out of the NHS.
'These are professionals who could be seeing up to 15 patients a day for musculoskeletal issues, immediately easing pressure on overstretched services and reducing delays.
'If every graduate had a job, we could begin to cut waiting times now.'
Sarah-Jane Ryan, head of practice, learning and development at the School of Education, Sport and Health at the University of Brighton, said: 'This year, most of my students don't have roles lined up which is something we haven't seen for a long time.
'Even first and second year students are now talking about working abroad, because they're hearing how hard it is to break into the NHS.
'We're at risk of losing a whole generation of physios at a time when we urgently need them.'
She said these students 'now face the reality of being shut out of the system they were inspired to work in,' adding: 'It's not just a workforce issue – it's a moral one.
'They've made sacrifices and trained for a profession they believe in.
'Placement teams have invested in them, and we know there is a rehab need.'
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
6 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Ministers urged to act to protect hospice care for children
Together for Short Lives said hospices are being forced to rely on donations and funds raised from charity shops to prop up services as it called on ministers to increase ring-fenced NHS funding for children's hospices. A new poll of 30 hospices in England found almost nine in 10 (89%) expect their costs to exceed their income this financial year. The charity warned seriously ill children may die without accessing end-of-life care, symptom management and emotional and psychological support as a result. A report from the charity, seen by the PA news agency, states inflation, workforce shortages, and rising demand for care are stretching services to 'breaking point'. The report estimates costs for hospices have risen by 34% since 2021. However, statutory funding for children's hospices is still 'falling short' of what is needed, it adds. 'With reserves set to dwindle and deficits projected to grow, the future of children's hospice care is becoming increasingly unsustainable,' the authors wrote. The report also reveals disparities in funding across England, with neighbouring health authorities spending vastly different amounts on care. Together for Short Lives is urging ministers to increase ring-fenced NHS funding for children's hospices in England from £26 million in 2025/26 to £30 million by 2029/30. It said hospices have said that without this funding they would have to cut back on respite care and short breaks, emotional and psychological support, as well as end-of-life care. Nick Carroll, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, said: 'As ministers try to shift greater levels of healthcare from hospitals into communities, our amazing children's hospices are doing more than ever before to provide crucial support to seriously ill children and their families. 'But as their costs soar, they are having to rely even more on the generosity of the public amid patchy and unsustainable funding from the NHS. 'To expect the complex and often specialist healthcare these families need to be funded by charity shops and donations is wrong – we wouldn't accept this for other parts of our health and care system, so to add more uncertainty to families' lives when many simply don't know how long they have left with their children is unacceptable.' As well as providing end-of-life care, hospices also offer services including emergency support, symptom management and short breaks for respite. One parent described how she 'couldn't live without' the support of her local hospice. Laura McArthur, from Bristol, relies on the Jessie May hospice in the city for support in caring for her seven-year-old son Archie, who has cerebral palsy. But the future of the hospice remains 'unclear' after its charitable expenditure has risen sharply, and uncertainty around funding has forced it to draw on its reserve and rely on voluntary income, Together for Short Lives said. Ms McArthur said: 'Jessie May has known Archie since he was six months old. 'They have been there through it all. 'His needs are so complex, requiring around-the-clock care – at times it can be very difficult. 'Jessie May come and look after Archie so I can have a short break. 'As the years go on, caring for a disabled child is both physically and mentally exhausting. The truth is that I couldn't live without their support.' Mr Carroll added: 'As it finalises its NHS 10-year plan, the UK Government must put in place a long-term, sustainable funding model for children's palliative care in England. 'Immediately, ministers should act to protect and maintain the NHS children's hospice grant and put it on a path to £30 million by 2030. 'Only by doing so can the Government make sure lifeline services are not cut for seriously ill children, which could deny many the choice of accessing end of life care from a children's hospice.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The Government recognises the incredible work that children and young people's hospices do across the country. 'We are investing £100 million to improve hospices facilities, and a further £26 million specifically for children's hospices this year, the biggest investment in hospices in a generation. 'We are also working to make sure the palliative and end of life care sector is sustainable in the long-term and are determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community through our Plan for Change.'
Powys County Times
36 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Government announces plans to put ‘digital front doors' on mental health care
Mental health patients will be able to self-refer for talking therapies using the NHS App under new plans. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government is 'putting digital front doors on mental health services for patients up and down the country'. The Government also confirmed that 85 new mental health emergency departments will be built across England. It comes as new figures suggest mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are on the rise in England. Plans to build dedicated emergency departments for mental health patients were announced last month. The 85 units will be funded by £120 million secured in the Spending Review, the Department of Health and Social Care said. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they will be staffed by specialist nurses and doctors. Patients who need help will be able to walk in, or will be able to be referred by their GP. Elsewhere, patients will be offered better access to mental health support through the NHS App, including being able to self-refer for talking therapies without the need to see their family doctor. The measures form part of the Government's 10 Year Plan and could also pave the way for AI-driven virtual support, according to the Department. Mr Streeting said: 'Not getting the right support for your mental health isn't just debilitating, it can hit a painful pause button on your life – stopping you working, enjoying time with family and friends, or living day-to-day life. 'Patients have faced the crisis of access to mental health services for far too long, and this Government is determined to change that through our Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS. 'That's why we're putting digital front doors on mental health services for patients up and down the country and harnessing technology to provide 24-hour care. And we're creating more opportunities for support not just through the NHS App but through care in your community too. 'We are already over halfway towards our target of recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers, and through our upcoming 10 Year Health Plan we will get more people back to health and back to work.' It comes as the latest Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey suggested more than one in five people aged 16 to 74 had reported so-called 'common mental health conditions'. These include generalised anxiety disorder, depressive episodes, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder. These problems were most common among young people, with more than a quarter of those aged 16 to 24 reporting having any of these conditions, up from 17.5% in 2007. There was also a sharp increase in the number of women aged 16 to 24 reporting the conditions, with 36.1% saying they had any one of the issues listed, up from 28.2% in 2014 and 22.2% in 2007. Meanwhile, the survey found the number of 16 to 74-year-olds with common mental health conditions who reported having treatment rose from 39.4% in 2014 to 47.7% in 2023/24. Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: 'Digital technologies can make it easier for people with mental illness to access care. 'While people have long been able to self-refer to talking therapies, providing access through the NHS App will make this more accessible. 'There are many evidence-based digital interventions which can support people with mental ill-health; however, a lack of investment has stalled their progress. 'The Government must also invest in the necessary technological infrastructure for mental health organisations and their staff, to allow access to digital interventions.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Government announces plans to put ‘digital front doors' on mental health care
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government is 'putting digital front doors on mental health services for patients up and down the country'. The Government also confirmed that 85 new mental health emergency departments will be built across England. It comes as new figures suggest mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are on the rise in England. Plans to build dedicated emergency departments for mental health patients were announced last month. The 85 units will be funded by £120 million secured in the Spending Review, the Department of Health and Social Care said. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they will be staffed by specialist nurses and doctors. Patients who need help will be able to walk in, or will be able to be referred by their GP. Elsewhere, patients will be offered better access to mental health support through the NHS App, including being able to self-refer for talking therapies without the need to see their family doctor. The measures form part of the Government's 10 Year Plan and could also pave the way for AI-driven virtual support, according to the Department. Mr Streeting said: 'Not getting the right support for your mental health isn't just debilitating, it can hit a painful pause button on your life – stopping you working, enjoying time with family and friends, or living day-to-day life. 'Patients have faced the crisis of access to mental health services for far too long, and this Government is determined to change that through our Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS. 'That's why we're putting digital front doors on mental health services for patients up and down the country and harnessing technology to provide 24-hour care. And we're creating more opportunities for support not just through the NHS App but through care in your community too. 'We are already over halfway towards our target of recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers, and through our upcoming 10 Year Health Plan we will get more people back to health and back to work.' It comes as the latest Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey suggested more than one in five people aged 16 to 74 had reported so-called 'common mental health conditions'. These include generalised anxiety disorder, depressive episodes, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder. These problems were most common among young people, with more than a quarter of those aged 16 to 24 reporting having any of these conditions, up from 17.5% in 2007. There was also a sharp increase in the number of women aged 16 to 24 reporting the conditions, with 36.1% saying they had any one of the issues listed, up from 28.2% in 2014 and 22.2% in 2007. Meanwhile, the survey found the number of 16 to 74-year-olds with common mental health conditions who reported having treatment rose from 39.4% in 2014 to 47.7% in 2023/24. Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: 'Digital technologies can make it easier for people with mental illness to access care. 'While people have long been able to self-refer to talking therapies, providing access through the NHS App will make this more accessible. 'There are many evidence-based digital interventions which can support people with mental ill-health; however, a lack of investment has stalled their progress. 'The Government must also invest in the necessary technological infrastructure for mental health organisations and their staff, to allow access to digital interventions.'
