PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL By bus, boat and bicycle, members and staff made their way to the Chartered Society’s Council meeting held on June 28, 1989. It was the first Council meeting to be held in the Society’s new building, the day following its official opening by HRH Princess Alexandra, and it was a pity that a transport strike prevented some members from attending. Sheila Philbrook, chairman of Council, who presided, thanked all those who had been able to make the journey. She also expressed gratitude to all those who had helped to make the opening such a successful occasion, especially Jim Banbury, director of finance and administration; Neville Chamberlain, acting office manager; and Stuart Skyte, director of public relations. FROM the chair Mrs Philbrook welcomed as observers Mrs Margaret Andrews of the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice and Miss Jennie M Collins of the Association of District and Superintendent Chartered Physiotherapists. She acknowledged Miss Jennifer A Hodder and Miss Alison Skinner as alternates for the South West and North West Thames Board representatives respectively. The chairman went on to greet as visitors Mrs Nicky Cogan, Riverside District physiotherapist; Mrs Ros Ham and Mrs Sue Jenkins of King’s College Hospital; and Miss Gina Stone of St Mary’s Hospital School of Physiotherapy, student member of Council elect. At the start of the meeting Council expressed great pleasure at the award of an MRE to Miss D Caney, principal of the School of Physiotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham, and asked that a formal message of congratulations be sent. Council noted with regret the deaths since its last meeting of Miss Jane Townsend, a former vice-chairman of the Council of the Society of Remedial Gymnastics and Recreational Therapy; Dr Frank Cooksey, a former chairman of the CSP Council: and Miss Margaret Owtram, a past member of Council and former principal of Manchester Royal Infirmary School of Physiotherapy. Miss M A Stewart, a former chairman of Council, was representing the Society at a memorial service for Dr Cooksey which was taking place that day. Congratulations were extended to Andrew King, a student member of Council, who had completed the requirements for the award of a DPhil, and it was noted that another member of the students executive, Kevin Foreman, had completed a PhD. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with minor amendments. Elections The chairman reported that by June 22 about 2,000 completed ballot papers had been returned which was encouraging. Julia Botteley commented that the separate election booklet had been very well received. The cost of using the Electoral Reform Society was queried but Toby Simon, Secretary of the Society, said that new legislation concerning trade unions had made it necessary to use such an organisation, and the most economic had been selected. All the postage was paid for by the Government. Elizabeth Condie reported that all candidates had been invited to speak by one Branch, which gave those who lived nearby an advantage. Tricia Phillips asked whether it was Society policy for candidates to canvass for votes, and Patricia McCoy feared that the process could degenerate to resemble the American electioneering system. Sue Adams pointed out that anomalies were arising in the categorisation of seats where Specific Interest Groups were supporting candidates, and William Gilchrist said that the regional system should be re-examined. It was finally agreed that Council should ask the Policy and Resources Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the electoral system. Charter Amendments to the Royal Charter were unanimously confirmed, and would be sent to the Privy Council after the Annual General Meeting. Doctors The chairman reported that no progress had been made on formulating a joint statement with the British Medical Association on the relationship between physiotherapists and doctors. David Teager commented that the BMA did not represent all doctors and the Chartered Society had good relationships with the Royal Colleges. Other members also put forward reasons not to proceed yet with this matter and it was agreed not to press for a further meeting at present. Chairman’s Report Mrs Philbrook said that she felt it appropriate to hold a reception for the many people to whom the CSP owed, or wished to give, hospitality. This would be held on September 6 after the last Council meeting of the cycle. Among those invited would be representatives of other professional organisations, the Society’s advisers, the voluntary sector, and the media. Council generally welcomed this idea and some members asked for representatives of territorial government departments to be invited as well. The Society has proposed that there should be a joint professional seminar for physiotherapists and occupational therapists on the subject of interdisciplinary collabora- tion in the care of elderly people. Mrs Philbrook said this suggestion was to be considered by the College of Occupational Therapists the following month. The chairman reported that Shropshire Health Authority had spent a considerable sum on modernising the building of the Oswestry and North Staffordshire School of Physiotherapy and she would be officially re-opening it later that week. The Society had been asked to put forward nominations to the education committee of the Institute of Health Service managers and it was agreed to put forward the names of Mr R J Jones and Mrs T Turner. Policy and Resources Committee Joyce Wise, the committee chairman, presented its report. Council agreed unanimously to set subscription rates for 1990 as shown on page 463 of this issue. The aims and objectives of the Society, as published in the Journal last July, were reviewed as planned and a revised paper prepared incorporating suggestions and up-dating some items. The Helper Working Party had presented a report to the committee, and this was considered by Council. Its main recommen- dations were that the Society should not at present offer membership to helpers, or become an awarding body for future helpers‘ vocational qualifications. However, this should be reviewed after two years. Council noted this report. In agreeing with its conclusions Patricia McCoy expressed concern about the cost of a formal system for awarding qualifications to helpers, and the danger of creating a two-tier profession. The committee had noted that no Fellow- ships would be awarded in 1989 and had set up a small sub-group to review awards for Chartered physiotherapists. David Teager said that he was disappointed that there would be no new Fellows this year: ’It is an indictment of the Society.‘ Mrs Philbrook said that the mechanics of the award constituted a problem - many members made a considerable contribution to the profession but the regulations prevented an appropriate reward. Ann Grimley commented that she had enjoyed meeting so many Fellows at the opening ceremony the previous day, and would have found it helpful to know why each one had been given this award. She suggested that a Fellows’ book be established. Mrs Wise reported on the centenary celebrations of the Dutch Society Of Physiotherapists, which she had attended as the Society’s representative, and as an official guest. She had enjoyed the well attended conference which had attracted physiotherapists from throughout the world, many of whom had paid for themselves. During the visit she had been to two hospitals and the factory of Enraf Nonius. Public Relations A report on developments during the three months to April 14 was contributed by the physiotherapy, August 1989, vol75, no 8 482
Transcript
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL By bus, boat and bicycle, members and staff made their way to the Chartered Society’s Council meeting held on June 28, 1989. It was the first Council meeting to be held in the Society’s new building, the day following its official opening by HRH Princess Alexandra, and it was a pity that a transport strike prevented some members from attending. Sheila Philbrook, chairman of Council, who presided, thanked all those who had been able to make the journey. She also expressed gratitude to all those who had helped to make the opening such a successful occasion, especially Jim Banbury, director of finance and administration; Neville Chamberlain, acting office manager; and Stuart Skyte, director of public relations.
FROM the chair Mrs Philbrook welcomed as observers Mrs Margaret Andrews of the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice and Miss Jennie M Collins of the Association of District and Superintendent Chartered Physiotherapists. She acknowledged Miss Jennifer A Hodder and Miss Alison Skinner as alternates for the South West and North West Thames Board representatives respectively. The chairman went on to greet as visitors Mrs Nicky Cogan, Riverside District physiotherapist; Mrs Ros Ham and Mrs Sue Jenkins of King’s College Hospital; and Miss Gina Stone of St Mary’s Hospital School of Physiotherapy, student member of Council elect.
At the start of the meeting Council expressed great pleasure at the award of an MRE to Miss D Caney, principal of the School of Physiotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham, and asked that a formal message of congratulations be sent.
Council noted with regret the deaths since its last meeting of Miss Jane Townsend, a former vice-chairman of the Council of the Society of Remedial Gymnastics and Recreational Therapy; Dr Frank Cooksey, a former chairman of the CSP Council: and Miss Margaret Owtram, a past member of Council and former principal of Manchester Royal Infirmary School of Physiotherapy. Miss M A Stewart, a former chairman of Council, was representing the Society at a memorial service for Dr Cooksey which was taking place that day.
Congratulations were extended to Andrew King, a student member of Council, who had completed the requirements for the award of a DPhil, and it was noted that another member of the students executive, Kevin Foreman, had completed a PhD.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with minor amendments.
Elections The chairman reported that by June 22
about 2,000 completed ballot papers had been returned which was encouraging. Julia Botteley commented that the separate election booklet had been very well received. The cost of using the Electoral Reform Society was queried but Toby Simon, Secretary of the Society, said that new legislation concerning trade unions had made it necessary to use such an organisation, and the most economic had been selected. All the postage was paid for by the Government.
Elizabeth Condie reported that all candidates had been invited to speak by one Branch, which gave those who lived nearby an advantage. Tricia Phillips asked whether
it was Society policy for candidates to canvass for votes, and Patricia McCoy feared that the process could degenerate to resemble the American electioneering system. Sue Adams pointed out that anomalies were arising in the categorisation of seats where Specific Interest Groups were supporting candidates, and William Gilchrist said that the regional system should be re-examined.
It was finally agreed that Council should ask the Policy and Resources Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the electoral system.
Charter Amendments to the Royal Charter were
unanimously confirmed, and would be sent to the Privy Council after the Annual General Meeting.
Doctors The chairman reported that no progress
had been made on formulating a joint statement w i th the Brit ish Medical Association on the relationship between physiotherapists and doctors. David Teager commented that the BMA did not represent all doctors and the Chartered Society had good relationships with the Royal Colleges. Other members also put forward reasons not to proceed yet with this matter and it was agreed not to press for a further meeting at present.
Chairman’s Report Mrs Philbrook said that she felt it
appropriate to hold a reception for the many people to whom the CSP owed, or wished to give, hospitality. This would be held on September 6 after the last Council meeting of the cycle. Among those invited would be representatives of other professional organisations, the Society’s advisers, the voluntary sector, and the media. Council generally welcomed this idea and some members asked for representatives of territorial government departments to be invited as well.
The Society has proposed that there should be a joint professional seminar for physiotherapists and occupational therapists on the subject of interdisciplinary collabora- tion in the care of elderly people. Mrs Philbrook said this suggestion was to be considered by the College of Occupational Therapists the following month.
The chairman reported that Shropshire Health Authority had spent a considerable sum on modernising the building of the Oswestry and North Staffordshire School
of Physiotherapy and she would be officially re-opening it later that week.
The Society had been asked to put forward nominations to the education committee of the Institute of Health Service managers and it was agreed to put forward the names of Mr R J Jones and Mrs T Turner.
Policy and Resources Committee Joyce Wise, the committee chairman,
presented its report. Council agreed unanimously to set subscription rates for 1990 as shown on page 463 of this issue.
The aims and objectives of the Society, as published in the Journal last July, were reviewed as planned and a revised paper prepared incorporating suggestions and up-dating some items.
The Helper Working Party had presented a report to the committee, and this was considered by Council. Its main recommen- dations were that the Society should not at present offer membership to helpers, or become an awarding body for future helpers‘ vocational qualifications. However, this should be reviewed after two years. Council noted this report. In agreeing with its conclusions Patricia McCoy expressed concern about the cost of a formal system for awarding qualifications to helpers, and the danger of creating a two-tier profession.
The committee had noted that no Fellow- ships would be awarded in 1989 and had set up a small sub-group to review awards for Chartered physiotherapists. David Teager said that he was disappointed that there would be no new Fellows this year: ’It is an indictment of the Society.‘ Mrs Philbrook said that the mechanics of the award constituted a problem - many members made a considerable contribution to the profession but the regulations prevented an appropriate reward. Ann Grimley commented that she had enjoyed meeting so many Fellows at the opening ceremony the previous day, and would have found it helpful to know why each one had been given this award. She suggested that a Fellows’ book be established.
Mrs Wise reported on the centenary celebrations of the Dutch Society Of Physiotherapists, which she had attended as the Society’s representative, and as an official guest. She had enjoyed the well attended conference which had attracted physiotherapists from throughout the world, many of whom had paid for themselves. During the visit she had been to two hospitals and the factory of Enraf Nonius.
Public Relations A report on developments during the three
months to April 14 was contributed by the
physiotherapy, August 1989, vol75, no 8 482
director of public relations, Stuart Skyte. Press statemei~ts had been issued on alternative modes of eritry into physio- therapy education, an initial response to the NHS White Paper, student loans, the Pay Review Body Report, Princess Alexandra opening Jockeys Fields, West Midlands education, the CSP statement on the NHS review, review of the core curriculum, journalist awards, the CSP at the RCGP conference in Brighton, and the increase in degree courses.
Mr Skyte said he was particularly pleased at the coverage achieved when the Pay Review Body reports were published. While to some extent the CSP was swamped by nurses' and doctors' considerations, its response was mentioned after the BMAs and before the RCN's on the 'PM' programme on Radio Four; and it was also quoted in the Telegraph and the Guardian. By putting out an 'advance' statement about the awards, the CSP was mentioned in the Telegraph, Times and Guardian on the day the awards were announced.
CSP statements on the NHS Review were widely picked up in the regional press and by local radio. An interim statement led to
requests for interviews on BBC Radio Bristol, Leicester Sound, BBC Radio Lancashire, Viking Radio, BBC Radio York, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Oxford and Essex Radio.
It had been a bumper period for sending letters to newspapers and magazines. They had gone to Cosmopolitan (on choosing Chartered), the British Medical Journal (on chest physiotherapy), the Journal of District Nursing (on lifting and handling training), Natural Healthlines (on including the CSP's name in a list of useful addresses), the Macclesfield Messenger (on the Smae Institute), General Practitioner (on sports injuries) and the UK Press Gazette (on RPI and journalists).
Some new publicity materials had been produced for members. These included a number of new coloured photographs mounted for display purposes.
The tape/slide production wi th i ts accompanying script had been completed and was being extensively used, as were the slides themselves for talks. A general set, one on paediatrics and one on elderly people were available.
A new car sticker had 'sold out' inside a month and a reprint had been ordered.
St Thomas's Guy's Bath Bristol Coventry Wolverhampton
Birmingham QE Birmihgham ROH Oswestry
Liverpool Salford Manchester RI
Manchester Withington
Cardiff Aberdeen Glasgow Edinburgh Ulster
Proposed three-year honours degree from 1989. Three-year degree to start 1989; possible upgrade to
Proposed degree to start in 1990 with Leeds
Submitting an internalised GradDipPhys to start 1989. Running an internalised GradDipPhys course. Three-year honours degree to start 1989. Running an internalised GradDipPhys course. Running an internalisedGradDipPhys course;
Three-year degree to start 1989 with Brunel
Degree proposed to start 1990 at Central London
Running an internalised GradDipPhys course. Four-year honours degree since 1981.
honours 1990.
Polytechnic.
negotiations to move to UEA.
University
Polytechnic
Four-year honours degree to start 1989 with City
Degree proposed to start 1990. Four-year honours degree proposed to start 1989 with
London University. No intake after 1989. No intake after 1989. lnternalised GradDipPhys course to start 1989. lnternalised GradDipPhys course to start 1989. Three-year honours degree course to start 1989. Three-year degree from 1989 to include 1988 intake;
lnternalised GradDipPhys course. lnternalised GradDipPhys course from 1989. Submitting an internalised GradDipPhys course to
Submitting an internalised GradDipPhys course for 1990. Proposed three-year honours degree from 1990. Running a three-year honours degree from 1989 to
Awaiting amalgamation with Manchester Royal
Running an internalised GradDipPhys course. Running an internalised GradDipPhys course. Three-year degree; possible upgrade to honours for 1990. Running a three-year degree. Running a four-year honours degree.
University.
possible upgrade to honours in 1990.
start 1989.
include 1988 intake.
Infirmary.
'Physiotherapy - every body's health service' had proved to be as popular as the previous car stickers and at least one new one each year was envisaged.
The public relations staff had already taken an exhibition to the Royal College of General Practitioners' spring meeting in Brighton; others already booked and planned were the two Naidex exhibitions and the Times 'Directions' careers exhibition at Olympia.
The RCGP conference was the first at which 'pause and refresh' exercise sessions had been offered for delegates. Two physio- therapists from Brighton General Hospital put a few GPs through their paces. As well as good PR with the doctors, a preliminary piece was published in the Evening Argus (Brighton) and a photo-story afterwards.
Education Committee Patricia McCoy presented the report of the
Education Committee, as its chairman, It was stated that Brighton Polytechnic had appointed Miss Marion Trew l3A MCSP DipTP as head of the school of physiotherapy, and the first intake of students on the new degree course would be in September 1990, provided the course was validated by the CSP and the Physiotherapists Board. The run-down of courses at Guy's and St Thomas's schools was being monitored by the Society.
Trevor Phillips said that students felt the changes were being pushed through too hastily. He was assured that applicants to the new school would be informed that the offer of a place was subject to approval of the course.
It had been agreed by the West Midlands Regional Health Authority that all five schools there should continue.
Council received a list of schools expected to offer degree courses from September 1989 and in 1990 as shown in the panel (left). Over half the students who start courses this year will be on degree courses.
The committee had approved the continued recognition of schools of physio- therapy following the appointment of: Miss P Wrightson MCSP DipTP as principal at Queen Elizabeth School of Physiotherapy, Birmingham. Mrs A Potter MSc BA MCSP DipTP as principal at St Thomas's Hospital School of Physiotherapy. Mrs R W Hilton MCSP DipTP as acting principal at Normanby College, King's College Hospital.
Industrial Relations Committee Submission of evidence to the Pay Review
Body was on schedule, but the timing would be close, reported William Gilchrist, chairman of the Industrial Relations Committee.
He concurred with members' concern about re-starting negotiations on re-grading. The Staff Side of the Whitley Council had done all it could to resume discussions, subject to certain conditions, but the Management Side was reluctant.
The committee had been pleased to support acceptance of the contract to run the Manpower Survey which had been awarded to the Society's Industrial Relations Department by the Manpower Planning Advisory Group. The contract, which was largely funded by the MPAG, is for detailed surveys for the eight professions allied to
fiysiorherapy, August 1989, vol 75, no 8 483
medicine and related grades, plus speech therapists and clinical psychologists. The MPAG came to the Society because the CSP had an acknowledged expertise in manpower surveys built up over the past six years of gathering PRB evidence. The MPAG funding would enable the appropriate equipment and temporary staff to be employed to ensure that the industrial relations research service to the Society was maintained.
The committee had heard that the new 'third-in-line' general management contracts were being extended down to posts at superintendent level in some areas. Any post which requires a clinical professional has to be advertised with an option of either the PAM or general management rates of pay. However, some disagreements might arise about the necessity of candidates having physiotherapy qualifications, if the post were described as having general management responsibilities. A physiotherapist would not necessarily be awarded the post. Any information about physiotherapist posts which have been affected by these new arrangements was invited.
The PT'K Staff Side Secretary, Phillip Gray, had written to the General Whitley Council Secretary and the Secretary of State to warn them that Government estimates of managers being included could be far too low. This was despite assurances from the Secretary of State that he did not expect many managers covered by Review Bodies to opt for the arrangements.
Other points covered by the report included protection of staff at the schools of physiotherapy to be closed: creches for the children of part-time staff; representation of civilian physiotherapists in the Ministry of Defence; and proposals for a new General Whitley Council lecture fee agreement.
Professional Practice Committee Kathryn Delpak, chairman of the
committee, explained that members had interpreted the third CSP rule of professional conduct, on relationships with doctors, in SO many different ways, that a small working party had been set up to produce guide lines on this subject.
More help would be forthcoming with a factsheet on the relationship between NHS and private practice physiotherapists. It would cover subjects such as offering private physiotherapy on NHS premises out of hours to NHS patients willing to pay.
Miss Ann Hunter, chairman of the CSP Quality Assurance Working Party, is to be the Society's representative on the National Association of Quality Assurance in Health Care.
Further documentation had been received supporting the inclusion of reflextherapy within the scope of physiotherapy practice, and a small working group was examining this in detail.
The committee had reviewed the reports on debates on physiotherapy specialties held over the last ten years, and considered the advantages and disadvantages of developing specialisms. While recognising that the development of 'specialists' was a way of developing expertise within the profession and a means of recognising expertise in individual members, there was concern that it would breed an Blite which would not necessarily meet the needs of patients. Rather it was felt that with the current
development of physiotherapy services there was a need for breadth within a specialty. For example, many patients had a combina- tion of neurological and musculoskeletal problems which restricted their mobility and the true specialist would need to have a sufficient range of skills to be relevant to patients' actual problems.
The committee felt it was not possible to identify specialties at present. It was hopeful that the further development of post- registration education plans and other Society activities such as this year's Clinical Interest Group conference would assist with the continuing debate.
Meetings had been held between the Physical Disability Sub-committee and members of Clinical Interest Groups and physiotherapy managers to seek their views on the most appropriate method of delivering a physiotherapeutic intervention to a disabled person. These opinions would be collated into a background paper upon which evidence would be taken from other medical and outside agencies.
A disabled person, Miss Ann McFarlane MIPS of Consultant Disability Services, had recently joined the sub-committee. This had focused the debate considerably.
International Affairs Committee The chairman of the committee, Julia
Botteley, presented its report. A meeting of the executive of the World
Confederation for Physical Therapy had been held in Harare. It had been decided to reorganise the WCPT into six regions and work had started on establishing these.
Two future WCPT projects would be a travelling workshop on cerebral palsy for four African countries in 1990, and a manual therapy workshop in a developing country.
The venue for the 1995 WCPT congress would be Washington DC, USA. It was likely to be the last 'world' congress as regional conferences are more likely after that date.
The Standing Liaison Committee of Physiotherapists within the EEC had been working on clarification and implementation of the General Directive. The CSP was preparing a wide-ranging database to support its claim to be a 'competent authority' for accreditation of overseas qualifications.
The International Affairs Committee has decided that further study tours will be arranged by the CSP in association with Interchange, for which the Society will select tour leaders. Study tours on specific aspects of physiotherapy are acceptable so long as all communication is made through the Society.
Journal Committee Eirian Ricketts, chairman of the
committee, presented its report. Three members of the Journal Committee
had been appointed as a Research Panel, to assess all papers of this type submitted to the Journal. During the previous quarter they had met for a day to formulate an explicit research policy. At the Journal Committee meeting in April it was agreed to add two more members to the Research Panel in order to cope with the volume of work.
Guide lines for authors are available from the CSP Journal Department on request, and these are to be revised and published in the Journal once a year. It is
hoped to make all prospective authors aware of the importance of presentation of an article, and to encourage them to seek local advice on this before submission.
All research papers submitted are now assessed by two members of the Research Panel, who may take statistical advice from various sources.
In response to pressure to allow trans- lation of Journal articles into other languages, even though this entails some loss of control over their reproduction, the Journal Committee decided to grant permission for translation of material in the Journal for which the Chartered Society holds the copyright, provided that the following conditions are observed:
0 The article is less than ten years old at the time of translation.
0 The CSP is assured that a competent and qualified translator is employed.
0 A clear statement is published with the translation, abrogating any responsibility by the CSP.
There will be no charge for translation by any non-commercial or professional organisation in any country.
The committee observed a trend towards increasing number of letters being offered for publication, and welcomed this as a sign of interest in the profession and its Journal by the membership.
The advertisement manager, Mr Ronald Denham, reported that the first quarter of 1989 showed a substantial revenue increase of 24% over the same quarter in 1988. The total number of advertisement pages had increased by 14%.
Members of the committee had recently received an overwhelming number of complimentary remarks about the Journal and they recorded their pleasure at this widespread appreciation.
Preliminary Committee Rosalind Gunning, chairman of the
committee, presented its report on a number of ongoing issues.
It confirmed that it wished to continue the current procedure for initial handling of complaints; ie that when a statutory declaration about a member's alleged offence is received by the director of professional affairs, a response is sought from the member concerned before the matter is presented to the committee for a decision whether or not to proceed with the matter.
The committee had noted that a curriculum review was being undertaken and expressed concern regarding the status of the Rules of Professional Conduct in respect of student members.
Educational Funds Committee It was reported by the committee chair-
man, Joyce Wise, that 47 applications for funding had been considered. The committee had awarded grants amounting to €11,615 to 36 members and offered loans from the Lesley Constance Green Loan Fund amounting to €1,050 to four members towards the cost of the following courses: Manipulation - 9; Bobath - 5; Other skills - 3; MSc \ MEd \ MA - 12; Postgraduate diploma - . . - 1; First degree/CAPAM - 2; PhD Research - 2; MPhil - 3; Working Group - 1.
484 Physiotherapy, August 1989, vo/ 75, no 8
Members' Benevolent Fund Commi t tee A member of the committee, Ann Grimley,
reported that it was gratified t o learn of Council's recognition of its work, and thanked membefs for their continuing interest and support.
Holiday gifts of f 175 had been made to 21 beneficiaries.
Two new cases had been considered and 16 reviewed.
Donations, prof i t f rom the sale of Christmas cards, commission and interest received during the three months ended March 31, 1989, amounted t o €5,646.73.
Ach iev ing Good Prac t ice
Council received a report prepared by members of the College of Occupational Therapists, the Royal College of Nursing, and the CSP, w i th observers from the Depart- ment of Health.
It originated in 1987 when the participants met to review progress on a document issued in 1977 on areas of overlap between the three professions (HN(77)124).
Mrs Philbrook pointed out in response to a remark by Mrs Condie that this work therefore started before the recent discussion between physiotherapists and occupational therapists, which it partly duplicated.
Mrs Ricketts observed that the working party which produced the report had not consulted with people in the field or who had specialist skills. Nevertheless she felt the report should be published because other- wise it would be lost to the profession. Duplication of resources was rife and those working in teams did not appreciate each other's role.
Other members' reactions ranged from 'worrying' (Rosalind Gunning) to 'excellent' (Susan Jackson), and Mrs Philbrook pointed out that the report was intended to reflect current practice.
Eventually it was agreed that, after some editing and with the approval of the other t w o professions, the report should be published. It should be made clear that it represented the views of the people who compiled it, although it was not inconsistent wi th CSP policy.
National Hea l th Service Rev iew
Mrs Philbrook reported that the Steering Group appointed by the Policy and Resources Committee to study the review had defined the Society's attitude towards the White Paper. Information about this and the CSP campaign had been published in the June issue of Physiotherapy and packs of information were being distributed to Branch public relations officers and others. She pointed out that the Government would carry through its legislation regardless of any campaign, but the Society must t ry t o make the best of the new arrangements for the sake of the patients.
This was not endorsed by all present. 'The preservation of jobs must be our first priority,' said Mr Gilchrist later. 'We must help threatened members.' He was referring t o the establishment of self-governing hospitals, which would destroy the grading system and create local pockets of special conditions and pay.
Mrs Jackson said she was delighted that the Society was going to support members. Many people were concerned to ensure
that the mistakes made in relation to implementation of the Korner system were not repeated. She regretted that the greatest strength of feeling was shown only in opposing the unacceptable parts of the White Paper.
Mrs Ricketts observed that the profession was facing change, and this had t o be managed. 'Denial precedes hostility.'
Mrs Philbrook said the Steering Group did not know how t o help because it did not know what would happen.
The example of the British Medical Association was cited by Mr Gilchrist, who urged positive action rather than talk.
Mrs Wise urged members t o be confident in their own skills, and to make sure that they retained professional autonomy and clinical decision making: 'We must not say we cannot help ourselves.'
Mr Teager also pointed to the example of the BMA which had a high profile of protest but was also working out how to use the new system. The CSP should also face its needs and someone had to speak out unequivocally against some parts of the White Paper.
Mrs Philbrook agreed that the CSP should develop guide lines for good practice, and Judy Mead, professional affairs officer, said that the Quality Assurance Working Party was looking at this.
Mr Gilchrist doubted that self-governing hospitals would listen t o professional organisations. 'We must get rid of this naivety.'
It was pointed out by Mr Teager that some of these hospitals would incorporate training schools and could prescribe their o w n curricula, wh ich needed further consideration.
Patricia Waddington pointed out that the Department of Health had proposed an extra 100 places for student physiotherapists this year which showed that it acknowledged the need for physiotherapists. Mr Gilchrist said this opinion might not be shared by self- governing hospitals which could trim their places. Patricia McCoy suggested that at this stage it was a waste of time to discuss education, because a separate working paper was expected.
Mrs Wise said that the Manpower Planning Advisory Group's studies had shown that professional skills were needed, so there was no cause for gloom. Tricia Phillips added that there were many independent hospitals and they insisted on employing qualified physiotherapists.
It was necessary to plan a complete service as given by a large group of hospitals, however, Mr Gilchrist pointed out. A service limited to an acute sector would not provide the rotations necessary t o ensure care for deprived groups. 'This would be a twenty- year step back for patient care.'
Mrs Gunning added that private hospitals depended on the NHS training system for qualified staff and did not usually offer post- registration education.
'We must look at this on an agency basis and we are the agency,' said Mrs Wise. Mr Gilchrist thought physiotherapists were more likely to form themselves into limited companies.
The Steering Group would take matters forward for the CSP, taking account of points raised in the debate.
Physiotherapy, August 1989, vol 75, no 8
Publications and Reports Proceedings of the Third General Assembly of the Asian Confederation for Physical Therapy. Japanese Physical Therapy Association, c/o 2-5-18-602, Toyo Koto-ku, Tokyo 135. 1988. 3 0 0 pages.
Scientific sessions at the congress covered cerebral palsy, kinesiology, exercise- physiology, ataxia, community investigation, and measurement. The papers are given in either English of variable standard or Japanese.
Abuse of Elderly People: A n unnecessary and preventable problem, by Sara Tomlin. British Geriatrics Society, 1 St Andrews Place, London NW1 4LB. 1989. 19 pages. €2.
Detailed evidence is presented with case histories of the abuse of elderly people by their carers at home or in institutions. In order to help prevent such abuse the report calls for more resources for health and local authority services for elderly people, for alternatives to residential care, more support for carers and acknowledgement of the stresses of caring, the introduction of inter- vention orders, independent inspection of residential accommodation, and a legally binding contract for residents.
Guide Lines for Setting u p and Running a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme. The Coronary Prevention Group, 60 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HR. 1989 (ISBN 0 9510095 9 1). Cartoons. 6 5 pages. €3.50.
A practical handbook for those involved in setting up or running a hospital-based, com- munity-based or residential programme for people who have had a heart attack or undergone heart surgery. Only a third of all District Health Authorities now provide such programmes, so this booklet is intended to encourage them to start. It is based on the recommendations of a conference held in October last year.
Methodology of Consumer Evaluation of Hand Propelled Wheelchairs, by M E Roebroeck, L H V Van Der Woude and R H Rozendal. Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1989 (ISBN 88 85936 02 4). 139 pages.
This report forms part of the medical and hea l th research programme o f t he Commission of the European Communities. It surveys not only technical aspects and performance of wheelchairs currently in use, but also their suitability for the needs of the users. I t also suggests a sc ien t i f i c methodology for carrying out the complex task of consumer evaluation.
