Open Day at Royal Free

General practitioners and professional staff from other departments within the Royal Free Hospital were invited to the first open day in the physiotherapy department there on January 20. District physiotherapist Miss Jennie Collins explained that the purpose of the day was to show the facilities and kinds of treatment available and indicate the types of condition most suitable for referral.

Guests were conducted round a series of demonstrations and specially assembled

displays by members of staff, either individu- ally or in small groups, and were able to discuss the physiotherapy service over light refreshments.

Course in Teaching Skills for Health Workers in Developing Countries

Health workers going overseas need good communication skills, as the ability to train others is as important as the health know-

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ledge itself. 'Health Unlimited' is therefore organising a short course in teachingkrain- ing techniques for health workers. The course will run in London in Spring 1988 for three days and will cost a maximum of €70.

Before finalising details, the organisers would like to hear from anyone interested to see exactly what they would like included in such a course. Please write for more details. to Dr Elizabeth Lewis, Health Unlimited, 3 Stamford Street, London SEl 9NT.

media watch 0 @ Congratulations to all members who have promoted the profession in newspapers and magazines and on radio and television in the past three months. The Public Relations Department has been snowed under by press cuttings on the profession and the news that more and more of you are giving interviews on radio is very exciting. Your willingness to give expert advice and professional opinions to the media is creating a higher profile for physiotherapy.

Thank you to everyone who has provided details of press coverage they have gained and apologies to those we have been unable to mention due to lack of space.

In preparation for the next edition of Media Watch, do let the Public Relations Department know if you or one of your colleagues have been in the news.

King's Cross Disaster Over the Christmas period BBC TV news

(25.12.87) and The Times (24.1 2.87) carried a feature on British Transport Police Constable Stephen Hanson leaving hospital after having received intensive physiotherapy for burns, which he sustained while attempting to save people in the King's Cross fire disaster. Mr Hanson described the reason for his treatment and why he wil l have to continue wi th physiotherapy for some time to come. This highlighted the need for intensive physiotherapy after disasters such as the King's Cross fire. In this instance, physiotherapists at University College Hospital worked around the clock for some days afterwards to treat patients with burns and inhalation injuries.

The manpower crisis in physiotherapy - there is a 30% shortfall - detailed in the CSP's evidence to the Pay Review Body, could, in future, put at risk the ability of the NHS to cope with similar disasters unless remedial action is taken. This crisis was reported in regional papers around the country as well as in the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian and The Times Higher Education Supplement, following a CSP press conference.

Closure Threat The threat of closure at the Royston

Hospital led to the Royston Weekly News (3.12.871 featuring the physiotherapy department, one of the busiest at the hospital. It explained some of the 4,500 treatments carried out in the last year and emphasised the importance of physiotherapy out-patient services. Senior physiotherapist Liz Clark warned of the

increased suffering and financial costs that would result if the department was closed. A patient, Sheila Abrams. said she was 'over the moon' about the treatment she had received and said the closure would be a nightmare. Another patient said the prospect of closure was 'unbelievable'.

Skiing Exercise The Northern Ireland Board has re-issued

the CSP's 'ABC of Safer Skiing' in a slightly revised form. Copies are being sold at El each and all proceeds will go to the Ethiopia Famine Appeal. Local press and radio coverage for this fund-raising activity was secured by sending out a press release and producing posters to publicise the guide. If you would like a copy of the 'Guide to Safer Skiing' please send a cheque or postal order for €1, made payable to Ethiopia Famine Appeal, to 'Skiing Guide', Rollo House, 6 High Street, Holyrood, Co Down, Northern Ireland.

Peto Rejoinder Physiotherapists, including Jenny

Watterson and Fenella Noble, are to appear on BBC TV Southampton in a half-hour documentary programme on physiotherapy services offered to cerebral palsy children. The documentary will focus on the Cedar School, the child assessment unit at Southampton General Hospital and the Lord Mayor Treloar School. The producer of the programme, Jane French, was prompted into action after speaking w i th the headmaster of the Cedar School and reading a letter in the Sunday Times by Jenny Watterson (mentioned in the November 'Media Watch') who had responded to the

publicity surrounding the Pet0 Institute by pointing out the successful work, often unrecognised by the media, that is carried out by physiotherapists in Britain treating cerebral palsy patients. The programme, to be shown sometime in the spring, will feature, among others, parents and physiotherapists.

The Evening Post, Nottingham (9.12.871. visited Apsley Wood, Fountaindale and Rutland House schools and discovered the local alternative to the success stories to be found at the Peto Instttute. The article highlighted patients with cerebral palsy who could not walk or talk when they first went to the schools, but who could now do both.

Chris Shannon, who has cerebral palsy, said: 'I'm living proof of what can be achieved in this country'.

Baby-Walkers An article by physiotherapist Jill Breckon

on the hazards to children of baby-walkers, published in the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists newsletter, led to a CSP press statement warning of the dangers. This generated a considerable number of radio interviews w i t h physiotherapists. Baby-walkers can impair the development of children learning to walk, cause foot and hip problems and can increase spasm in children with cerebral palsy.

The lndependenr (24.1 1.87) and Today (30.11.87) followed up the story as did regional newspapers. Community physiotherapist Sue Foster successfully presented the story from a local viewpoint in the Leicester Mercury (27.1 1.87). She gave examples of cases where children had sustained injuries in baby-walkers. The deputy director of trading standards for Leicestershire County Council advised parents to choose carefully if buying one, after six types of walkers had been branded as dangerous by trading standards officers in Birmingham.

The CSP is conducting a survey of the problems that baby-walkers present and hopes to publish its findings soon. If you have any information on the subject please let us know at the Public Relations Department.

physiotherapy, February 1988, vd 74, no 2 71

Physiotherapist ‘Flies‘ In The work of physiotherapist Kathleen

Farrimond was highlighted in the North Wales Weekly News (3 .12 .87 ) . As the first ‘flying‘ physiotherapist in Colwyn, Wales, to treat stroke victims in their homes, the newspaper accompanied her on her rounds, photographed her exercising her patients and discussed the treatment that she gives to relax tensed muscles and streggthen limbs weakened by a stroke.

‘We Tackle Anything, The Somerser Standard (27 .1 1.871

spotlighted the physiotherapy department at Frome Victoria Hospital. The seven-strong team, headed by superintendent physiotherapist Sara Stobart, explained how a physiotherapist can tackle practically any problem that involves moving. They described the range of treatment they offer - to anyone from a pregnant woman to an amputee - and the specialism of each member of the department. They also explained how people can seek treatment.

Money Mountain The Money Mountain Appeal, organised

by Radio Hallam, Sheffield, raises money each Christmas from listeners and sponsors to give to deserving causes. This year, physiotherapists Judy Dalton and Suzanne Davis at Newman School in Rotherham wrote to the radio station stating why some of the money from the fund should buy a eutrophic stimulator for their school. They were-then asked to state their case on radio ( 2 2 . 1 2 . 8 7 ) and described what the equipment does and the type of patients it can help. Their campaign was successful as the station has now promised the money to buy the equipment.

This is not the first time Radio Hallam has supported the profession. Some of the money raised from the 1986 Money Mountain Appeal funded a physiotherapist for 18 months to study after-care for patients with neurological problems at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Back to School The back school at Addenbrooke’s

Hospital was the subject of an article in the Cambridge Evening News ( 2 4 . 1 0 . 8 7 ) . Senior physiotherapist Anne Greenwood, who runs the school with another senior physiotherapist, Jonathan Blood-Smyth, explained how baa habits can lead to recurrent back ache. With two million people consulting their GP about back pain each year and 13 million days lost, her aim is to help prevent back ache by teaching people to correct bad habits. The back sEhool runs training sessions that cover anatomy, lifting, posture, relaxation, exercise and general fitness.

Careers Advice An article on physiotherapy as a career,

written by senior physiotherapist Elaine Mason, was published by the Daily Telegraph (21.12.871 on its regular Monday careers page. It described the range of physiotherapy training and career prospects and detailed some of Elaine’s o w n experiences such as her work in Australian outback communities with the Royal Flying

Doctor Service. She also recounted her experience of treating intensive care patients injured in the King’s Cross fire.

The Times ( 1 0.1 1 .87 ) investigated a career in physiotherapy as part of its series of articles, ‘Horizons’, on career opportunities. The article emphasised the diversity of physiotherapy skills and specialties and interviewed Distr ict physiotherapist Shirley Winch and superintendent physiotherapist Sheila Roberts about their work and their views on the personal qualities required of a physiotherapist, such as sympathy, patience and the ability to communicate with people.

Radio Stars Rita Leleux, Liz Pepper, and Kathryn

Delpak, three enterprising physiotherapists, have negotiated regular monthly slots on their local radio.

Rita was initially approached by BBC Northampton to discuss the dangers of baby-walkers and discovered the station was keen to fill air time and so offered her services. She and other local physiotherapists will be helping to present a live show and phone-in with an emphasis on preventive medicine. They will cover back pain prevention, mobility and the elderly, and sports medicine.

Liz advised listeners to Radio Leeds how to have a hazard-free Christmas. She also mentioned local back pain clinics that can provide treatment and was able to publicise local physiotherapy recruitment campaigns. Similarly, Kathryn was initially interviewed about Christmas dangers by Radio Wales and HTV. In both cases, the radio stations were so impressed that they invited Liz and Kathryn back for regular discussions on how listeners can help themselves stay healthy.

Songs of Praise Comedian Frankie Howerd has praised

physiotherapists on Breakfast Time (14.12.87) . in the DailyMail(4.12.87) and in regional newspapers after having an operation on his leg.

Guide to Christmas More than 2 0 radio and television

interviews around the country were given by physiotherapists in response to media interest in the CSP’s ’Guide to a Happy Christmas’. The guide warned that Christmas preparation can damage your health and gave tips on carrying shopping, putting up decorations and lifting a turkey. Joyce Wise, vice-chairman of Council, spoke on Capital Radio London and suggested that people should ‘cuddle their shopping‘ as carrying bags close to the body is the best way t o prevent injury. Physiotherapist Elaine Smith was interviewed by Radio Bedfordshire in her local shopping centre, where she gave advice to shoppers on how to carry their shopping. Physiotherapist Debbie Morton was interviewed in her kitchen. She discussed lifting techniques and how best to manoeuvre with a heavy turkey.

Numerous regional newspapers carried the story when many physiotherapists took the opportunity to create their own news and gave a local slant to the story, as did Marilyn Berry when she wrote to the Darrford Reporter and Gravesend Reporter (24.1 2.87) about how to avoid the ’Yuletide blues’.

Below: The CSP’s view of the hazards of Christmas as pictured by Paul Thomas in General Practitioner, the doctors’ newspaper

72 physiotherapy, February 1988, vol74, no 2