Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) - the professional, educational and union body for 65,000 UK-chartered physiotherapists, students and support workers.
We've created resources for internationally qualified physiotherapists aiming to work in the UK and for employers recruiting overseas trained physios. From visas to understanding the UK health system, we can help. Plus, joining the CSP for full support.
This Christmas, remind a loved one that it's never too late to get stronger.
Share our film and visit for strengthening exercises and guidance from physiotherapists.
#NeverTooLate
NHS Physiotherapy staff strike dates announced
We have today announced the initial dates in our rolling campaign of strike action.
🪧 See you on the picket lines on 26 January and 9 February.
#CSP4FairPay
NHS physiotherapy staff in England are taking part in strike action over pay for the first time in our history.
Physiotherapy staff have been left with no choice but to strike.
Show your support using
#CSP4FairPay
.
As NHS Nightingale - London's new emergency hospital - prepares to open, physio Rachael Moses takes on a lead role and says: 'Everyone is pulling together to make this happen.'
Find out more at:
Where are all the physio staff?
We're calling for the government to urgently address recruitment and retention of physiotherapy staff in the workforce plan.
Value physiotherapy staff.
#RightToRehab
We have just heard from
@The_HCPC
that the CPD audit process for physiotherapists is being cancelled with immediate effect to enable the workforce to focus on the coronavirus outbreak. More details to follow.
The NHS is losing 15% of physiotherapy staff each year.
We're calling for the government to urgently address recruitment and retention of physiotherapy staff by committing to a fully funded workforce plan now.
Value physiotherapy staff.
#RightToRehab
BBC shines a spotlight on the physios helping Covid patients in intensive care and in rehabilitation.
Read more about the experiences of
@WestMidlandsCSP
members
@Davido744
,
@AmberRosePhysio
and Will Hook
Physiotherapy staff in England and Wales vote Yes to strike action
NHS physiotherapy staff in England and Wales have voted to take strike action in their first-ever ballot on pay and retention issues.
#CSP4FairPay
'The problem at the moment is that the focus is very much on the waits for ambulances and in A&E and actually that's just the symptom.'
@KMiddletonCSP
on Sky News last week discussing the urgent need to address loss of rehabilitation space.
Read more:
The UK government refused to hold meaningful talks over NHS pay.
Yet again, NHS physiotherapy staff in England have no choice but to take strike action today.
Show your support using
#CSP4FairPay
.
If you’re recovering from Covid-19, you are not alone.
Whatever stage you’re at, there’s a great deal you can do to help your body recover.
Find more expert physio advice to help you on the road to recovery:
#CovidRecovery
Physiotherapy is critical for treating those worst affected by Covid-19, including access to community rehabilitation after discharge from hospital. We face a huge increase in demand for high quality community rehab services.
Read our policy statement.
'In the coming weeks and months, as the country emerges from this crisis, there will be a ‘tidal wave’ of rehabilitation need'.
@KMiddletonCSP
blogs about why physiotherapy and rehabilitation are key to recovery – both during and after Covid-19.
Respiratory Physios in two Guardian stories 'Ultimately what we do contributes to a patient’s chances of recovery. Being mechanically ventilated takes its toll on the body so patients will also need significant amounts of rehabilitation down the line.' 1/2
'A lung physio is the secret weapon in this 65-year-old's coronavirus recovery' - fantastic spotlight on respiratory physiotherapy and the long-term care needed by many.
Patients must have access to community rehab services
#RightToRehab
In the second month of lockdown, the media spotlight has regularly shone on physiotherapy.
Rehabilitation has featured prominently, and physios have also provided much-needed advice to the public during lockdown.
Catch up with the coverage highlights.
Love activity, Hate exercise?
Share our new
#LoveActivity
animation and visit for more advice and expert guidance from physiotherapists so you can do more of what you love.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our patron for almost 70 years, Her Majesty The Queen.
The CSP extends its heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.
We stand in solidarity with our BAME members and colleagues against the evil of racism that infects societies across the world - including here in the UK.
#BlackLivesMatter
'The reason that we are taking strike action is it's the only way we feel our voice will be heard.'
4,200 NHS physio staff in England took action on fair pay and were heard – broadcasted across national media.
➡️ Support NHS physio staff:
#CSP4FairPay
'Physiotherapists are not only part of multidisciplinary teams that save lives. We are also part of the multidisciplinary teams that give people their lives back.'
Read
@CateJL
's piece in
@GdnHealthcare
People undergoing hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery should receive rehabilitation on the same day, or within 24 hours after their operation, according to new
@NICEComms
guidelines.
There's a lot of power in a conversation. As the experts, physio staff hold so much potential to motivate change.
Watch our new animation and be part of our
#LoveActivity
campaign:
Many congratulations to all the CSP members who’ve received New Year’s Honours, including an OBE for Dr Nicola Phillips and MBEs for Susan Crewe-Smith, Victoria Dickens, Susan Durrell and Deborah Soave. Please let us know if we’ve missed anyone - we’ll follow up with a news story
Value physiotherapy staff.
The government must urgently address recruitment and retention of physiotherapy staff in the workforce plan, which will be published this week.
#RightToRehab
UPDATE: Physiotherapists must stop providing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy with immediate effect.
This follows confirmation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that PRP is an unlicensed human medicine.
Find out more:
Congratulations to CSP member Lesley Holdsworth!
She's received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours – in recognition of her contribution to physiotherapy and health services.
Find out more:
Following
@TheLancet
series which revealed too many patients are receiving the wrong care for managing
#LowBackPain
, share the latest advice from physiotherapists:
Our animation and resources are also available for use on digital screens.
The contribution of physiotherapy staff during the Covid-19 crisis has been widely reported in the media and reached millions. Catch up with the latest coverage.
4,200 physiotherapy staff in 30 Trusts across England are on strike today.
There are many ways to show your support, including visiting picket lines and amplifying the message using
#CSP4FairPay
.
Find out how you can support strike action:
'NHS staff are the backbone of this country.'
CSP member Trupti Bhandari has a message for the government about why she and other physio staff are striking.
Show your support for NHS physio staff.
#CSP4FairPay
#OnThisDay
in 1920, King George V granted our Royal Charter, in recognition of the society’s high standing and its respected education and professional standards.
Happy Charter Centenary Day to all of our members!
#CSPcharter100
'Saying nothing might equate to ‘not being racist’ but it is not enough – I have to be anti-racist. And so does the CSP.'
CSP chief executive
@KMiddletonCSP
writes to members about Black Lives Matter.
‘Five students will be admitted each year...the funding will cover their full salary costs, project costs and a generous training allowance - and the scheme will be flexible to accommodate different working patterns and family commitments.’
Find out more:
Shockingly, rehabilitation isn't available everywhere in the UK.
Watch the
#RehabLegends
describe what rehab has meant to them.
Help us end this postcode lottery by signing the petition.
#RightToRehab
Congratulations to CSP members Jessie Horne and Alice Bretland!
They have both received British Empire Medals (BEMs) from the Queen - due to their vital work for the NHS & frontline services during the pandemic.
Find out more:
'10 days in hospital for a person over 80 is the equivalent of 10 years of deconditioning.'
The
#ActiveRecovery
pilot
@LCHNHSTrust
is improving patient outcomes, getting people out of hospital faster and keeping them at home.
Watch the full film
#RightToRehab
@RCOT
Today we are launching the first set of
#MSK
Physiotherapy Service Standards - applicable to any healthcare setting within the UK for services supporting adults over the age of 16 👇
It's Never too Late to get active and ensure our muscles and bones stay strong as we age.
To learn more about the changes you can make, visit
#OlderPeoplesDay
'The CSP survey paints a dismal picture of the state of rehabilitation services, over-stretched and under-resourced...'
Loss of rehab space, an issue raised by the CSP, was discussed during oral questions in the House of Lords, full clip:
#RightToRehab
'Together, we managed to go from me lying prone, helpless and weak - to me walking around and even running... So I can't even find the words to express my gratitude to you.'
Read our interview with
@MichaelRosenYes
and two of his therapists:
'The support from the public has been absolutely overwhelming, so the government have got to listen.'
@KMiddletonCSP
speaks from the picket line earlier today as NHS physiotherapy staff went on strike for the first time over pay.
Value NHS physiotherapy staff.
#CSP4FairPay
.
'Experience shows that if you don't offer appropriate rehab what happens is that people eventually end up coming back in a worse condition.'
@CalumCsp
calling for patients'
#RightToRehab
on
@BBCWalesNews
.
Congratulations to Natalie Beswetherick, the director of our practice and development directorate!
Today she received a World Physio award for her 'major contribution to the profession of physiotherapy' - both in the UK and in Europe.
Find out more:
4,500 physiotherapy staff in 33 trusts across England are on strike today.
There are many ways to stand
#WithNHSStaff
, including visiting picket lines and amplifying the message using
#CSP4FairPay
.
Find out how you can support strike action:
First Contact Physiotherapists deliver excellent patient care while easing pressures on GPs and reducing onward referrals for tests, scans and secondary care.
Read our new
#FirstContactPhysio
implementation briefing
'We're in a crisis situation, not only in terms of the physiotherapy workforce, not only in the service that's being delivered to patients, but in terms of the whole NHS.'
@KMiddletonCSP
's message as NHS physio staff prepare to take strike action.
#CSP4FairPay
Today is the
#RightToRehab
Day of Action.
We’ve joined
@theRCOT
@Sue_Ryder
and 20+ organisations in calling for all patients to have equal access to high quality, person centred, community rehabilitation.
Read our new Report:
The new version of our Covid-19 rehabilitation standards are out now. They give specific guidance about community-based rehab for people with Covid and Long Covid.
@darrenabrown
Can you help us create guidance for post-ICU step-down rehab? We’re holding online meetings this week for members to share experience that could shape this urgent guidance. Find out more and register interest at
'Rehabilitation is just as important as medicine and surgery in helping people reclaim their lives after injury, illness or because of long-term conditions. Everyone deserves access to rehabilitation'
Thank you
@stephenfry
for supporting the campaign
#RightToRehab
#RehabLegends
All patients have a
#RightToRehab
.
The Independent cover our rehabilitation campaign and call to the government to plan for the tsunami of rehabilitation need.
Many congratulations to the CSP members receiving New Year’s Honours, including OBEs for Prof Karen Barker and Dr
@sue_greenhalgh
and MBEs for Dr
@MelroseStewart1
and Jane Pyman. Please let us know if we’ve missed anyone - we’ll follow up with a news story when the office reopens
'The rehabilitation after an operation is just as important as the surgery.'
@DrRanj
Shockingly, rehabilitation isn't available everywhere in the UK.
Help end this postcode lottery by signing the
#RightToRehab
petition.
#RehabLegends
'Our members have spoken resoundingly. We have never balloted over pay but physiotherapy staff are now left with no choice. We are short-staffed, overworked, exhausted'
@jillyphysio
Physio staff in England & Wales vote Yes to strike action:
#CSP4FairPay
Too many are missing out on the essential rehab they need when they leave hospital.
We're calling on political parties to commit to equal access to high quality community rehab.
Ahead of the
#BBCDebate
, support and share our
#RightToRehab
Manifesto:
A physiotherapist has found a simple way to help in-patients get up, get moving and regain their independence – and his NHS trust is now rolling it out across all their hospitals. Find out more at:
See the freedom 15-year-old Dominic feels in the water in our new thought-provoking film.
Promote and protect aquatic physio by sharing Dominic’s story with local healthcare decision-makers.
Full film and other resources are available:
#RightToRehab
Well done & a huge congratulations to all the AHPs & physios who have been recognised in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours List!
They include CSP members Jill McClintock, Rachel Moses & Teresa Ross.
Look out for our news story about the winners next week.
#BirthdayHonours
A video diary from consultant physio
@Davido744
shows the team
@uhbtrust
helping ICU patients begin their rehabilitation after Covid-19.
▶️ Follow the link to watch the film by the Guardian.
#RightToRehab
Following members votes on NHS pay, the CSP will now hold an industrial action ballot - for all members who work in the NHS in England and Wales.
The NHS pay award is ‘simply not enough’.
We are recommending a vote for strike action.
Find out more:
Catch up with physio Tom Meredith's video diary from BBC News, showing the vital work of physiotherapy staff
@UHSFT
, helping patients with Covid-19 and starting their rehabilitation journey in hospital.
Watch from 30 minutes:
Home today, if not? Why not?
A new film highlights the effectiveness of a 'Home First' approach to rehab, helping to reduce hospital admissions and improve patient outcomes
@HywelDdaHB
@CarmsCouncil
.
Click below to watch the full film.
#HomeFirst
Without quality rehabilitation, people can be stuck in a vicious downward spiral.
Our new report, Easing the pain, highlights the urgent need for high-quality rehabilitation services to avoid worsening health inequities:
#RightToRehab
‘We are outraged that a patient was refused payment for physio for stress incontinence. Reason - they had a baby so it’s a consequence of their choice.'
Physios demand change as insurers refuse claims for some pregnancy-related treatments -
We have updated guidelines for delivering physiotherapy & rehabilitation for people hospitalised with acute Covid and
#LongCovid
.
They highlight the importance of a personalised, multidisciplinary approach.
Thanks to
@darrenabrown
@emaroids1
@TheACPRC
We're celebrating
#OlderPeoplesDay
by getting active!
Diana Moran, aka the Green Goddess encourages all to keep active and stay strong.
To get started, we're sharing 6 simple strength exercises from physios.
Help us spread the word:
#OlderPersonsDay
'Rehabilitation could and should be the backbone of the NHS....
'These services have been undervalued and under-funded for years, which has created more dependence on emergency services and on social care, which is now on its knees.'
Find out more:
This Christmas, remind a loved one that it’s
#NeverTooLate
to get stronger.
To get started, visit for strengthening exercises and advice from physiotherapists to help people to stay strong and independent this winter.
Brilliant new video promoting the benefits of physical activity. Thank you
@thebodycoach
,
@Milly_Physio
and
@GSTTnhs
.
Check out the Parkinson's HIIT workout ⬇️
After months of behind the scenes work, our Parkinson’s exercise video with Joe Wicks has been released! So excited for everyone to see this! Thank you to everyone
@GSTTnhs
for all the support
Check out the video below
Try a new activity in 2019 that interests you - the most effective activity is the one you’ll actually do, so make sure you’re enjoying it!
Visit for more expert advice from physios and tips for getting started.
#LoveActivity
'We have been warning that a lack of rehab is causing the system to seize up'.
Our response to data published today revealing the reasons for hospital departure delays:
Rehab is vital in addressing the challenges now and in the future.
#RightToRehab
'In 98% of cases you’re safe to move with back pain and it’s not dangerous or damaging, and keeping active helps to encourage this thought process' -
@ashjamesphysio
's expert advice featured in the Independent.