News

NSPA Task Force Releases Out-Patient Fact Sheets

Date: Wed, February 15, 2012

NSPA's Public Practice Task Force (PPTF) is pleased to release three new Fact Sheets, outlining the importance of a colaborative, consultative approach to changes in provision of publicly funded out-patient physiotherapy services. Each Fact Sheet provides information on the impact of cuts from different angles - a general overview; a perspective on the ripple effect throughout the health care system when out-patient rehab services are compromised; and finally, a call to action with proposed solutions to address the risks created when physiotherapy services are restructured. Links to the Fact Sheets can be found at the end of this article.

While large-scale cuts to out-patient physiotherapy departments seem to be off the table for 2012, examples of the erosion of publicly funded physiotherapy services through incremental cutbacks and reduced infrastructure abound. Indeed, these smaller-scale cuts are in many ways more concerning than large-scale department cuts as they tend to be more easily ignored or rationalized, and then become the new norm.

We call on all members, particularly those in public practice, to get involved by printing off the fact sheets and distributing them to influencers - VPs, department heads, orthopaedic surgeons, to suggest a few. If you are not able to print the fact sheets at your work site, NSPA is able to provide small quantities (up to 1 dozen of each) upon request. Contact Christine at cjames@physiotherapyns to request.

The Task Force will next create similar information on publicly funded acute and community physiotherapy, with a goal to foster a better system-wide understanding of how all publicly funded physiotherapy contributes to the effectiveness of the primary health care team for Nova Scotians at all stages of life. 

We welcome (indeed, encourage) member feedback and suggestions for this initiative at any time. Contact Christine James at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 902-405-6772.

Fact Sheets:
Out-Patient Physiotherapy Matters
Out-Patient Physiotherapy: System-Wide Impacts
Out-Patient Physiotherapy: Risks and Solutions

Sincere thanks are extended to the PPTF for their detailed feedback and critique of the Fact Sheets.