Physiotherapists Ready And Willing To Help Ease Current GP Crisis

Physiotherapy New Zealand say they have a workforce ready
and willing to step in and help ease the current “soul
destroying” GP crisis in Aotearoa.

President Mark
Quinn says physiotherapists have the skill set to assist New
Zealanders experiencing musculoskeletal conditions such as
joint, bone and muscle injuries which would ease the
workload currently overwhelming our GPs and their
practices.

“Health Minister Andrew Little talks
about the need to call on the whole of the health workforce
to alleviate the pressure on the system. The fact is we have
been telling him for months now that physiotherapists are
here, and we want to help.

“There is so much
evidence at the ministry’s disposal that shows that
greater use of physiotherapy in primary care can help cut
surgery wait times, reduce costs and achieve better health
outcomes for all New Zealanders. Let us help.”

Mark
Quinn says in order for the government to start utilising
physiotherapists to assist with the current crisis they must
take action and increase much needed funding for
physiotherapists working in primary care.

“Another
action the government can implement now is getting ACC to
allow physios to sign off-work certificates for patients. We
currently can do medical certificates but not for ACC income
related payments. This would help ease the bottleneck and
clear the backlog and wait times.

“Physiotherapists
along with a number of other allied health professionals are
an important tool in the health workforce toolbox. Fund us
and utilise us now to our full potential and we can help
ease the current pressure on the system before it gets
worse,” said Mark Quinn.

“Up to a quarter of all
GP consultations are musculoskeletal complaints.
Physiotherapists have specialised training in this area so
if funded appropriately, we can significantly offload GP’s
but also reduce the significant inequities that are
occurring because of this lack of
funding.”

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