CSP welcomes new plan for a healthier NHS workforce

CSP chief executive Karen Middleton

Commenting on today’s speech by Simon Stevens, Professor Karen Middleton, chief executive of the CSP, said:

"We welcome these important new steps to keep NHS staff fit for work and delivering the services patients need.

“Sickness absence means high costs for the NHS and longer waiting times for patients so these new measures should make a real difference.

“It is right that physiotherapy is central to this drive, given the profession's expertise in keeping people well and in work, and the fact that almost 40% of staff sickness absence is due to musculoskeletal conditions.

“It is crucial that these services are fully-funded to achieve the best possible results.”

**ENDS**

Note to editors

For further media information about the CSP please call the CSP press office on 020 7306 1111, email pressoffice@csp.org.uk. Out of hours please call Becca Bryant, head of press and PR (job-share) on 079172 40819, Jennie Edmondson, head of press and PR (job share) on 07786 332197, Jon Ryan, senior media adviser, on 07917 091200, or John Millington, PR and social media officer, 07766 994141.

1. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the UK’s professional, educational and trade union body. We have more than 53,000 members, including chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.
2. York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust reduced absence rates by 3.8% by investing in a multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists.