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287 in the whole of Germany and to negotiate with gdvernment and other institutions to build up a structure in East Germany in which physiotherapists can work as an independent profession. For example, in the past it was not possible to work as private practitioner in East Germany. Now, as a result of successful negotiations with the Minister of Health, we have adopted an equivalent health system to that in West Germany which allows out-patients to be treated by private practitioners reimbursed by the national insurance scheme. Another priority is to plan a system of physiotherapy education to be implemen- ted throughout Germany, and to be of a standard recognised in the European Community. Probably our initiative in Germany may have wide-ranging influence in other Eastern European countries as our East German physiotherapists have good contacts and can stimulate the collabora- tion needed throughout Europe. This development in Eastern European countries gives us the possibility to bring physiotherapists in all of Europe closer together. EB Hungary Hungary has established a national physiotherapy association which is being assessed by the WCPT Its name is Magyar Gyogytornaszok Tarsasaga (Association of Hungarian Physiotherapists). We think there are about 1,000 physiotherapists in Hungary at this time. Hopefully Hungary may be a member of WCPT soon. RR Poland There is an active National Physio- therapy Organisation in Poland which is a full member of WCPT and of the European Regional Group. It held a national congress in Wroclaw in May 1991. During this congress the Polish Society hosted a meeting of representatives of physiotherapy organisations from the countries of Eastern Europe. The purpose of this historic meeting was to hear at first hand of the systems of education and training and clinical practice in each country, to identify any professional problems, and to consider ways in which assistance might be given. The organisers had kindly invited the vice-chairman of WCPT-Europe to chair this meeting. EC Romania Two thousand physiotherapists have qualified from Institute for Physical Education and Sport, but there is no national organisation yet. JB Post Soviet Union Russia The people working in 'physiotherapy' in Russia can be divided into three categories: 1. Physical medicine doctors (MD) who not only examine the patients, but give them physiotherapy as well. 2. Physical education teachers, who graduated with a BA or MA from higher education institutions. They also took courses in massage and remedial exercises and work only in medical institutions - treating patients by means of massage and exercises. 3. Certified nurses and feldschers -these graduated from nursing schools and passed massage and remedial exercises courses - and work in medical institutions, treating patients by means of massage and exercises. JD Estonia Physiotherapists from Legitimerade Sjukgymnasten Riksforbund (Sweden) have been in touch with physiotherapists in Estonia. The chairman of WCFT-Europe has asked the Swedish association to gather all available information on physio- therapy in Estonia so this may be distributed later. Contacts will be established in the Au tumn . RR Lithuania There is so far little information on physiotherapy in Lithuania. The chairman has contacted Lithuania's official represen- tative in Oslo, Norway, and asked for further contacts. Hopefully this will give us some information from this country. RR Yugoslavia At present there is no national physio- therapy organisation in Yugoslavia although there are some regional groups, for example in Slovenia. This association has recently approached the World Confederation for Physical Therapy with a view to gaining membership. However, it is aware of the present requirement of the WCPT that an association must represent the entire nation rather than a geographic section. EC African Region The European region has been 'twinned' with the African region. This means that our region has been asked to take, and has accepted a special reponsibility for supporting the African region in its work of setting up a regional organisation. The African region was established in September 1991 in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe. Contacts have been made between our regions, and the Executive Committee of WCPT-Europe has discussed various suggestions offered by the African executive. Europe's priorities lie in supporting continuing education based on co- operation between local and external 'experts' and in sponsoring or setting up scholarships for basic training in physio- therapy at one or more of the region's educational institutions. Discussionsbetween our two regions will continue and our hope is that all European members will give us support for those tasks we agree upon. ,RR Iates for your Diary 4PRIL 28, 1992 The Effect of Changes In the NHS m Therapy Services in Scotland %offish Health Services Centre, Edinburgh. Fee: f50. Discussion of the current state of therapy jervices in Scotland. Speakers will include h u l Wilson, operations mananger, Lothian iealth Board: Frances Gibb CBE, Management Executive Scottish Office; 3r Roger Seifert, University of Keele: 4nn Hunter, director of therapy services, 3uy's Hospital; Joyce Davison, senior IR 'ieldworker, CSP; and Mr William Farquhar, secretary of the Scottish Health Service 4dvisory Council. The event is open to physiotherapists, xcupational therapists, speech therapists m d any other interested professionals. MAY 20, 1992 The Therapy Team Approach to the Integration of Children with Special Educational Needs Vational Exhibition Centre, Birmingham See programme and application form in ast month's Journal. MAY 21, 1992 Legal Issues Seminar SSP Offices, London A seminar for managers to unable them to deal with issues arising out of claims made against staff by patients and others. Application forms and further details are available from the Events Unit at the CSP. OCTOBER 5-9, 1992 Annual Congress Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow The full programme and application form for the Annual Congress will be published in the May Journal. Conference features a full clinical programme: Representatives Conference: a very large trade exhibition -with several new companies being represented; displays by Specific Interest Groups: research posters: and an exciting social programme - including a Scottish evening and ceilidh; annual dinner in one of Glasgow's most historic venues: Congress disco; and civic reception in the City Chambers as guests of the Lord Provost of Glasgow. Acupuncture Tour in China The International Acupuncture Assoc- iation of Physical Therapists (IAAPT) is organising a study tour to China in November prior to the WCPT Private Practitioners Conference in Hong Kong. The tour includes clinical visits and sightseeing in Shanghai, Souzhou and Hangzhou, and a four-day course in Nanjing. For further details contact Maureen Lovesey, Chairman, IAAPT, Holly House, 6 Barncroft Road, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3NL. Please enclose an SAE. Physiotherapy, April 1992, vol78, no 4
