Your comments: 4 November 2015

This autumn, I and another physiotherapy student were privileged to have a clinical placement in northern Norway. A new initiative, an Erasmus exchange between Brunel University London and the University of Tromsø, spoilt us with studying under the northern lights – a distinctly different pace of life to placements in the UK’s capital. 

 

We were placed in Klinikk 24, a private clinic owned by three therapists who gained master’s degrees in Australia before returning to Norway to establish the clinic in 2012. It is quite famous in this part of the world, providing advanced physio and manual therapy care to professional sports teams, Norwegian national teams, and local communities. This provided us with fantastic learning opportunities, from treating elite level athletes to seeing advanced treatment methods in the musculoskeletal environment based on the latest research from around the world. Additionally, by shadowing therapists in the local hospital we were able experience Norway’s healthcare system in comparison to the NHS.

 

Meeting physio students from a different country and seeing how they do things was eye-opening and the experience allowed me to enter the workforce with an open mind; a passion about continuing to advance my skills and knowledge through further educational courses; and with an aim to follow 

the research, working hard to provide the best care possible for patients. 

 

The Leaders and Managers (LaMPS) professional network were greatly encouraged by the emphasis on leadership at this year’s Physiotherapy UK. This clearly demonstrated the need to develop skills beyond clinical ones alone.

 

It was heartening that leadership was reflected in presentations given by all levels within the profession and was not seen as being the exclusive responsibility of managers or the most senior clinicians.

 

All physiotherapists are agents for change and have a responsibility to make a difference.

 

There is a need and requirement to encourage everyone in the profession to acknowledge the need to drive change. Enabling that culture is critical and LaMPS wholeheartedly supports the CSP in this leadership development.

 

The aims of the LaMPS network are to provide peer support, expertise, mentoring, networking and a forum for debate in a safe environment. LaMPS aims closely to match many of the themes emerging from the leadership strand at Physio UK and we have a significant role in helping to deliver these aims in partnership with the CSP. We look forward to working with the CSP and welcome new members, experienced or new to a leadership role, to our network.

 

Thank you for including the column on pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in the 7 October issue (page 22.Since 2002, the Pelvic Partnership has been raising awareness of the complex physical, emotional and psychological consequences of PGP, as well as the amazing impact that hands-on treatment can have in resolving symptoms.   We were delighted with the positive feedback we received in response to the column. 

 

Our new ‘Stickmum’ leaflet provides a fact sheet about PGP and focuses on treating it early in pregnancy using manual therapy treatment techniques. A copy of this leaflet is available in this issue of Frontline and more copies can be ordered via our website www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk