In a recent study by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), nearly half of the NHS trusts in England were found to have no dedicated budget or policy to cover staff on maternity leave. The analysis, based on freedom of information requests, revealed that 49% of trusts lack earmarked funds for maternity cover, raising concerns about the strain on physiotherapy services.
While some trusts do provide maternity cover, physiotherapy staff are less likely to benefit. The CSP data shows that 22% of trusts do not extend maternity cover to physiotherapists, compared with only 9% for nursing posts. This disparity is especially troubling given that women constitute about 79% of the NHS physiotherapy workforce.
According to Ash James, CSP’s director of practice and development, the lack of maternity cover means that when a physiotherapist takes leave, patients still need treatment but the remaining staff must absorb the workload. “Without cover, already overstretched colleagues are left trying to absorb the workload, potentially leaving patients waiting longer for the rehabilitation they need,” he said.
James added that the issue occurs amid recruitment freezes, disappearing posts, and growing demand for care. “Trusts must ensure maternity cover arrangements are available fairly across clinical professions, while the government must urgently lift recruitment freezes and invest in the physiotherapy workforce,” he urged.
The findings follow earlier research indicating that stroke patients and others requiring intensive physiotherapy are receiving poorer care due to inadequate space and equipment. That study found that four out of ten NHS physiotherapy staff had lost or expected to lose dedicated rehabilitation space, and six out of ten reported that their rooms had been taken over by other clinical teams.
These challenges highlight the need for better resource allocation and support for physiotherapy services, which play a crucial role in patient recovery and rehabilitation across the country.
Source: The Guardian World
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