“In the Soviet Union, capitalism triumphed over communism. In this country, capitalism triumphed over democracy.”
Graduate Physiotherapists have been finding it very hard to find work for for the past four years. This started in 2005, then went on to 2006, then 2007 and now in 2008
Is it any wonder now that applications to study Physio at uni are down by as much as 40%?
Physiotherapy is a valued and respected discipline. It 'was' a highly regarded career favoured by very able and bright students with matching high grades at A levels. Before the current situation with unemployment, you needed at least an ABB in A levels to read Physiotherapy at university and the programme was hugely over subscribed at all universities ... no more ...
In 2005;
"A Chartered Society of Physiotherapy poll of 1,523 of this year's graduates found 805 had not secured their first physiotherapy post.
More than 90% of respondents said they had sought work in physiotherapy.
The government wants to increase NHS physiotherapists from 15,600 to 24,800 between 2000 and 2009 - a rise of 59%.
Phil Gray, CSP chief executive, said: "After months of competing with hundreds of others for just a handful of junior posts, many graduates have had to put their physiotherapy aspirations on the backburner.
"We know of first-class graduates who are working in Tesco, Topshop and TSB just to make ends meet.
"One's joined the circus, while others are working in factories to raise money for Christmas."
Of course they blamed the problem on 'bad workforce planning' :-) and Health Minister Lord Warner said:
"There is no question of wasting taxpayers' money because we recognise physiotherapy graduates are a valuable resource for NHS patients."
Then, in 2006
"Over 2,300 physios graduated this year after spending three years training. The survey - which interviewed 854 former students - found that 68% were still not working as physiotherapists and had been forced to accept jobs in bars, shops and warehouses to make ends meet. Last year's equivalent figures were 50%."
.. and the number of graduates was 60% more than in 2005! ... amazing stuff! So, how did this happen?!
"The society said the government and NHS employers signalled in 2001 that more physios were needed, so training places were expanded.
But the positions were no longer there as NHS trusts have embarked on a year of cuts in a bid to break even."
Well, if the government wanted more physios, why wasn't the money to create jobs for them not
'fenced' to ensure the taxpayer's investment in their training is not lost then?! ... no ... this maybe is
'problematic' .... because you won't be able to raid the money if it is 'fenced' of course ...
Anyway, that year A Department of Health spokesman said:
"We are aware that newly-qualified physiotherapists are facing much more competition in finding their first job than in the recent past and people may have to be prepared to be mobile to secure a post.
"At present, we are working with the society and NHS Employers to support NHS trusts analyse their local situation, develop plans and take action to recruit the physiotherapy staff they need to deliver services."
Lol ...
So, was the problem fixed and all physios got jobs, now that the situation was analysed, plans were drawn .. then action was taken?
No! .. the trend continued for 2007 and 2008
"Half of all physiotherapists who graduated last year in England cannot find jobs, according to a survey released to the BBC."
"Of the 726 who responded only 184 had found a permanent NHS junior post and another 191 were employed on short term contracts. Overall, the CSP estimates 1,800 physiotherapists who have graduated since 2005 have not been able to find work"
The article does not say how many physios graduated in 2007 .....
"Strategic Health Authorities in England have set up talent pools where graduates can register for information about jobs.
But the CSP said many graduates don't bother to register, and those that do often receive little more than an acknowledgement." A Department of Health spokesman accepted that there were problems, and said work was being done to try to address them.
"There is more to be done to help existing physiotherapists to progress their careers, thus creating vacancies for new qualifiers, and improving access for graduates to opportunities across the wider health and social care sectors.
"In some parts of country, such as West Yorkshire, newly qualified physios are using their skills in new innovative roles, working as community care officers for local authorities, helping to support hospital discharge."
"This enables physios to carry on practising their skills when the availability of posts in the NHS is very competitive."
.. Is 'idiocy' and 'foolishness' criteria for employing DoH workforce planners .. or there is another reason for all this? ..
Of course ... part time work was also suggested ... to help the poor graduates of course ....
Then, the unis' admission tutors blamed the shortfall in applications on:
"I blame it on the fact that there has been a lot of press coverage of the problems physiotherapy graduates were having getting jobs and this is deterring people from applying for training places."
You don't say! It seems that unis prefer to 'con' bright kids into their schools so that they can cover themselves and fill their quotas! .. Then who cares if those same kids graduate to ruin?! This same tutor then said the the job situation was likely to be
temporary! .. For
FOUR years?!.. and still going strong?!
In 2008, the
DoH did not bother with 'action plan' announcements, it said:
"A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the NHS employs 20,146 physiotherapists.
"The NHS in England has seen record levels of investment. The number of physiotherapists has increased by 41% since September 1997.
"It is for Primary Care Trusts to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities."
Gobsmacked!
They say there has been 'some' improvements in the job situation .. Meanwhile, I bet those without jobs will even work for 'nothing' if only to keep their skills! Then, one of the lucky ones to find a job also said:
"Samantha Haw who finished her training last July had to wait for almost a year for her first job as a locum "It's frightening. I work full time but I have no job security.
"I don't think it's getting much easier to find work."
What can you say to Samantha? How do you explain to her that she is just being prepared for 'competition' in
the market out there ..... This is just a bit of 'competition' Samantha .. The NHS employers said in the HSC that they like competition, that's all ...
It costs around £30,000 to train a Physiotherapist for the 3 years at uni ....
Now that applications to read Physio are down, of course the universities will also drop the grades they require in order to lure the students to fill the empty places. If you were an admissions tutor, financed according to the number of students you have, have a 50% vacancy rate, how much will you drop your grades by?! ... soon Physio will be up for grabs with EEE at A levels .. or, a B-TEC? ... or even less?
I wonder if Prof Maynard can let me know, how many is Physio worth in GCSEs?
.... Next!
"The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate”
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