#RehabMatters on show at Scottish Labour Conference in Dundee

At the fringe: Jane-Claire Judson from CHSS, CSP's Sara Conroy, Anas Sawar MSP and CHSS volunteer Ian Baxter

The conference heard that ‘rehab matters’ during a fringe event jointly hosted by the CSP with Chest Heart Stroke Scotland.

The event screened the CSP’s short film showing the benefits of community rehabilitation and why it matters that no one should miss out.

Speakers from the CSP and CHSS were joined by Anas Sawar MSP, Scottish Labour shadow cabinet secretary for health. They discussed the crucial role of physiotherapy and the third sector in supporting and maintaining effective rehabilitation services in Scottish communities.

During her talk, Sara Conroy, CSP professional adviser for Scotland, emphasised the lack of effective community rehabilitation across Scotland. She called for greater investment to ensure that community provision involved the right skills at the right time to optimise outcomes. ‘Its about living not just surviving,’ she added, ‘and also makes economic sense by helping people return to work or live more independently and require less social care.’

The value of the third sector in giving people peer support, support with exercise programmes and lifestyle changes was covered in a short but inspiring film and talk by CHSS chief executive officer Jane Clair Judson and volunteer and advocate Ian Baxter.

Anas Sawar MSP addressed the fringe meeting to reflect on what he had seen and heard.

‘We cannot doubt the value of rehabilitation, in giving people back their quality of life,' he said. 'The crucial question is what would we want for our relatives or those close to us when faced with injury or illness? Everyone deserves the chance to return to work, or perhaps to caring for grandchildren, and continuing to enjoy their life.’

Speaking following the event, CSP public affairs and policy manager, Kenryck Lloyd-Jones said:

‘We’ve heard excellent speeches today, thought provoking, challenging and inspiring and all aimed at ensuring that the crucial role of rehabilitation is better understood, better funded and better able to make the difference to peoples’ lives. The CSP’s message is resonating in public debate’

CSP members are urged to contact Sara Conroy (CSP professional advisor for Scotland) conroys@csp.org.uk if they have concerns about under provision, or indeed wish to share excellence in practice.