Physiotherapy – Trained but no jobs
WORKERS, APR 2006 ISSUE
Almost half the physiotherapy graduates of 2004 had not attained jobs by the end of 2005, according to a survey reported in the International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation and carried out by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. It showed that 25% had jobs by June, and still only 53% had employment by the start of 2006. By June 90% had applied for jobs as junior physiotherapists, and most of the rest intended to apply over the summer months.
Are too many physiotherapists being trained? Not at all. It is official policy to increase the number of physios from 15,600 in 2000 to 24,800 by 2009, and to reduce waiting lists for physiotherapy services to 18 weeks. But with NHS trusts being made to cut back on spending the crisis is set to get worse – and the 2005 graduates are applying for jobs now.