The fact that physiotherapists offer a solution to changing population, patient, and service delivery needs is increasingly recognised.Įntry routes into the profession are also more diverse than ever. Physiotherapy workforce shortages and increased workforce demand have been identified. Increases are occurring through existing providers expanding the size of their student cohorts and creating additional programmes, as well as additional universities moving into physiotherapy education.Ĭountry-specific workforce planning processes are informing these developments. The changing funding context in England, and evidence of workforce demands across the UK, have played a role in the increase in physiotherapy student numbers. The cornerstone of CSP accreditation is that all students must undertake a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice-based learning. The CSP ensures new programmes prepare students for the changing nature of practice and are underpinned by high quality, practice-based learning – crucially without this encroaching on placements already used by neighbouring HEIs. While HCPC approval is a requirement for programmes to run, CSP accreditation provides an additional badge of quality, enhancing HEIs’ marketing to prospective students, and draws new teams into the CSP-supported community of physiotherapy educators across the UK. The society’s approach is focused on upholding quality, while encouraging innovation and addressing shortfalls in physiotherapy workforce supply.ĬSP officers and members appointed as education representatives’ advice on developing programmes that meet the high standards required by the profession – as defined by both the CSP and the regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).Īll new provision has so far sought and secured CSP accreditation. It ensures that provision is responsive to changing population, patient, service and workforce needs is preparing students for their future physiotherapy career and is sustained by sufficient practice-based learning capacity for students to gain the depth, breadth, and quality of experience required for effective practice. The CSP plays a strong role in supporting and advising on new educational developments. The move away from NHS funding has also meant that HEIs in England now receive higher funding for physiotherapy degrees: students’ tuition fees (currently set at £9,250) are supplemented by a public grant – recognition that physiotherapy is a higher-cost subject to deliver. Physiotherapy education is also dependent on strong links with local employers. In turn, students secure graduate-level jobs as they qualify and register. It recruits high-calibre applicants and has very low student drop-out rates. Physiotherapy continues to be an attractive discipline for universities and individuals. With a combination of funding changes, expanded provision, and the removal of the cap on student numbers across all subjects in England from 2015, UK physiotherapy student places rose by 34 per cent between 2015//19. The CSP is advising additional higher educational institutes (HEIs) on their physiotherapy education plans. In 2018/19, 43 universities will offer entry routes into the profession, a rise of 23 per cent since 2015/16 and a 27 per cent increase in the number of programmes. The combined effect is an increased number of education providers, more student places, more diverse entry routes to the profession, and further expansion to come. However, this has not been the only catalyst for growth, with developments occurring across the UK. The move away from NHS funding for universities and students in England has played a strong part in the expansion of physiotherapy education in recent years.
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