Latest Blogs

The CSP motto translates roughly as ‘pursue worthy aims’ and for me encapsulates perfectly what it means to be both a physiotherapist and a trade unionist. While working as a junior physiotherapist, I started out as a CSP steward 32 years ago and pursuing worthy aims was very much my goal. I wanted to help my patients, my colleagues and the NHS hospital in which I worked. NHS staff have kept the lights on during the toughest of times Fast forward to six months ago, when I joined other health trade unions to begin negotiating a new pay deal for NHS staff in England, that same feeling drove us

I had no idea how interesting it would be, being a physiotherapist, watching my own body slide away. No, not weight loss, just a steady trickle of small things disappearing as age moves on. At 82 it is becoming more obvious and I have found it intriguing to realise that much of the loss is quietly and subtly neurological. Wish I had understood that when I was working years ago! (and a further ‘No’ - I don't think I have a neurological condition per se). So this is a report on my findings from the 'Far Side' of retirement. Maybe I should add that I am increasingly convinced that you cannot

From time to time, my job is extraordinary - today was one of those times. A call from the CSP press team, and then the BBC and I was on my way to Broadcasting house to sit in a pod and talk to ten regional radio stations about the likely recovery and rehab for Prince Philip, following his hip surgery. Questions ranged from the risks of surgery at his age, to what would be included in a rehab programme to his likely attendance at Prince Harry’s wedding. The experience took me back in time to November 1995, when I was interviewed for ITN news, that time about the Queen Mother’s recent hip

Having just completed a fantastic two years as a council member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy I wanted to reflect on my relationship with the professional body and how we can engage more with the broader membership. Over the last four years, I have had a close relationship with CSP. However, following the recent election, where only 11 per cent of the membership voted, I have not been chosen to lead the profession in the new council. Although I am disappointed I feel strongly that it is now time for me to pass the baton to others. I am writing this blog whilst travelling home from

It would be great if I could write that receiving this letter from the HCPC, a week after successfully renewing on-line, filled me with pleasure that I could display all the knowledge and learning I had gained and put into practice over the last two years. It’s fair to say that would not quite be accurate. Having started a new job five days previously, and continuing as Chair of Council until mid-April my main thought was that they obviously had no idea how much I had to do! And, of course, everyone I told seemed to collapse into giggles, which was not really the sympathetic response I was

It’s that time of year – 14 February – when shops are filled with red hearts and roses. Valentines’ Day is upon us and spring is just around the corner. It’s also HeartUnions week starting on February 12. I guess you could call this a kind of ‘love your union’ event where across the country workers will be celebrating the work of local reps and the collective voice unions provide. I’ve been working as an organiser for the CSP since May 2017, alongside my colleague Kevin Dale, who has been here since 2015. Together, we cover the length and breadth of the UK to meet, organise and campaign around

I am so excited to receive my ballot papers for the CSP Council elections. After the two year governance review, and the membership vote to agree the proposals at November’s AGM, it is really pleasing to get to the point of actually voting people on to the new council. I must admit to a little envy that I’m not going to be there myself. As I said in my last blog, it is such an exciting time for physiotherapy, and it will be hard to step away from being part of the profession’s leadership and strategy development, particularly as the governance changes come into effect. But, looking at the list

Joyce Williams, left, speaking at Physio UK with CSP chief executive Karen Middleton I have been reflecting on the last session at this year's CSP Physiotherapy UK conference - a brilliant discussion that focused on our profession's autonomy. Joyce Williams, a key architect of modern physiotherapy and now in her mid-80s, described passionately how granting the profession autonomy in 1977 had transformed overnight the way physiotherapists practised. We are on the brink of a similarly momentous change, as CSP officers meet with NHS England (NHSE) to develop the commissioning guidance for first

I’ve written a lot in recent blogs about the CSP governance review and the changes CSP council proposed to improve member leadership and engagement. So I am delighted that the proposals were agreed by the membership at the AGM earlier this month. I won’t repeat all the changes here but you can find out more about them below: Seizing opportunities Governance review I strongly believe the new model will make a really positive difference to the way the CSP is able to act strategically. Transparent, streamlined and timely decision making will enable a more effective voice for physiotherapy as well