Health and Social Care Committee
Consultation on terms of reference for inquiry into residential care for older people
RC14 ToR – Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
CSP Wales Office
1 cathedral Road
Cardiff CF11 9SD
029 2038 2429
Committee Clerk
Health and Social Care Committee
National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA
October 2011
Dear Chair and Committee Members
Inquiry on residential care for older people – consultation on the terms of reference – Key points from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) in Wales is pleased to play an active part in this consultation on the terms of reference for the future inquiry into residential care for older people.
The profession considers that the areas identified will open this up to a wide range of possible avenues for scrutiny leading to recommendations by the committee. At present, the range appears huge and the CSP considers the committee may need to organise how it takes evidence to ensure all aspects are covered adequately. It may need to be done in clear sections.
There is a real danger that some areas may get overlooked or not afforded adequate time within the inquiry. The CSP is keen that the committee should scrutinise reablement services across Wales and are therefore pleased that there is an opportunity to discuss reablement as part of the ‘new and emerging models of care provision’. However, the profession does hope there will be further opportunities to scrutinise reablement, during the progress of the Social Care Bill as these services cut across the health and social care sectors and will be crucial to delivery of services in the future.
The CSP suggests that some explanation may be needed within the terms of reference around the difference between nursing and residential care. From the terms of reference it is clear that ‘residential care’ is the focus but nursing homes are a form of residential provision, with some homes being dual residential/nursing and residents making a seamless transition from one to the other as their needs require it. Is it clear to the public exactly what is to be scrutinised? The CSP suggests further clarity will be needed here in order to focus the inquiry.
Concluding Comment
The CSP hopes the committee finds this contribution useful and looks forward to playing an active part in the inquiry.
In association with:
The CSP Welsh Board
The All Wales Physiotherapy Service Managers Committee
About the CSP and Physiotherapy
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK’s 50,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers. The CSP represents 2,000 members in Wales.
Physiotherapists use manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and rehabilitative approaches to restore, maintain and improve movement and activity. Physiotherapists and their teams work with a wide range of population groups (including children, those of working age and older people); across sectors; and in hospital, community and workplace settings. Physiotherapists facilitate early intervention, support self management and promote independence, helping to prevent episodes of ill health and disability developing into chronic conditions.
Physiotherapy delivers high quality, innovative services in accessible, responsive and timely ways. It is founded on an increasingly strong evidence base, an evolving scope of practice, clinical leadership and person centred professionalism. As an adaptable, engaged workforce, physiotherapy teams have the skills to address healthcare priorities, meet individual needs and to develop and deliver services in clinically and cost effective ways. With a focus on quality and productivity, physiotherapy puts meeting patient and population needs, optimising clinical outcomes and the patient experience at the centre of all it does.
Philippa Ford MCSP
CSP Policy Officer for Wales