Tackle workforce shortage for physios too

If the Minister of Health wants effective health care for everyone, then our young physiotherapists must have the same encouragement as our young doctors and nurses to stay in hard-to-staff jobs in this country, the New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists stated today.

Jonathan Warren, NZSP President, congratulated Tony Ryall today on tackling health workforce problems by a scheme to bond doctors, nurses and midwives willing to stay in places with high vacancy rates. “But the Minister must remember that you need a full team of health professionals to treat patients, whether in hospital or in the community," said Mr Warren. "In fact, it's becoming more and more obvious that working as a team is what is important to achieve good health and rehabilitation for all New Zealanders as highlighted in the Primary Health Care Strategy."

“To tackle the health workforce crisis, the government must deal with the major shortage of physios as well as of other health professionals,” Mr Warren said. “Physiotherapists and other allied health professionals are essential. In hospitals, for example, physios are an essential part of the team deciding on safe discharge for patients after operations, injuries and illnesses. This enables people to get home as soon as possible. It means hospital beds are used efficiently, and people are less likely to be bounced back into hospital with the same problem. In the community, health services are focusing on keeping people well and fighting long-term conditions, and physios are a vital part of those services."

The New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists urges the government to co-ordinate strategies aimed at recruiting and retaining all the health professionals who make up effective health teams.

ENDS

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