The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes news of the Australian National Audit Office's (ANAO) investigation into the Federal Government's controversial $650 million GP Super Clinic's program, as requested by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) in October last year.

‘The APA shares many of the AMA's concerns about the Department of Health and Ageing's GP Super Clinics policy. It is flawed in concept, design and implementation and taxpayers have footed the bill. The public, including health professionals, deserve answers,' said APA President Melissa Locke.

‘Multi-disciplinary care is best practice but more consideration must be given to existing health infrastructure, local health providers and their businesses, quality healthcare, prevention, and contemporary understandings of direct access—all of which contribute to a vital and sustainable healthcare system.

‘Like their peers in private general practices, physiotherapy business owners feel the pinch when a government-funded GP Super Clinic opens ‘next door'. This creates an unfair marketplace and potentially squeezes out much needed, quality health practitioners, something that is counterproductive for all.

‘Taxpayer money could be more wisely invested by funding increased access and collaborative practice through development of existing public health infrastructure. Medicare, for example, could simply be extended to cover the evidence-based management of selected conditions by physiotherapists.

'We trust the ANAO will address claims of politicisation and hope that, in future, thought is given to facilitating equitable access to a range of choice, local healthcare practitioners, like physiotherapists, and developing their clinics, wherever possible. This should help avoid gratuitous expenditure,' concluded Ms Locke.

The A decade of general practice activity report 2001-11 highlights that physiotherapists are the health professional of choice for general practitioners when it comes to the treating of a range of physical ailments such as the management of chronic pain.

About the APA and its members
The APA is the peak body representing the interests of over 12 500 physiotherapists and their patients. It is our belief that all Australians should have access to quality physiotherapy, when and where required, to optimise health and wellbeing. As first-contact practitioners, a doctor's referral is not required to see a physiotherapist.

For more information
Jonathon Kruger
General Manager, Advocacy and International Relations Division
Australian Physiotherapy Association
P (+61) 402 208 104 E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to download the media release.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and Thermoskin are partnering for the fifteenth annual Mother's Day Classic event to celebrate Aussie mums and support participants as they help raise much needed funds for breast cancer research this Sunday 13 May.

APA physiotherapists will be present at Thermoskin's Enhanced Recovery Marquee in Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne, from 7.45 am where they will offer free general physiotherapy assessments and Thermoskin product advice to eager ‘milers' for a gold coin donation.

APA President Melissa Locke says, ‘We are proud to once again join forces with Thermoskin and hope that our involvement contributes to a memorable Mother's Day Classic. This year aims to beat the 2011 record of 120 000 participants and $3 million raised.'

The APA and Thermoskin are long-term partners and share a commitment to enabling Australians to improve their health and standard of living through access to quality physiotherapy services and products to help them deal with all their aches and pains, sprains and strains.

‘This event is such a positive way to address a health issue affecting Australians, particularly women. Not only are we raising funds to sponsor research into combating disease but physical activity is one of the best ways to improve overall physical and mental wellbeing,' continued Ms Locke.

‘My motherly advice for walkers and runners on a brisk May morning is to warm-up thoroughly to avoid injury. Obviously that is not pleasant but APA physiotherapist Lisa Westlake is leading the group warm-up for 30 000 Melbourne registrants so there's no excuse!

‘We encourage all members to embrace the Mother's Day Classic event, whether registering as participants, motivating patients and loved ones to be involved, cheering from the sidelines or simply by making a donation. Be sure to visit Thermoskin's marquee to experience an APA physiotherapist's quality treatment.

‘Most importantly, Happy Mother's Day and enjoy,' said Ms Locke.

About the APA and its members
The APA is the peak body representing the interests of over 12 500 physiotherapists and their patients. APA members are registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, have undertaken to meet the APA Code of Conduct, are expected to use the latest research in practice and often have further and/or specialist qualifications. As first contact practitioners, a doctor's referral is not necessary to see a physiotherapist. Physiotherapists work with, educate and customise exercise programs for people affected by a wide range of conditions and symptoms.

For further information
Jonathon Kruger
General Manager, Advocacy and International Relations Division
Australian Physiotherapy Association
P (+61) 402 208 104 E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to download the media release.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is disappointed that the potential to improve health through multidisciplinary care for people in rural and remote areas has not been considered at all in the Federal Budget 2012-13. Key rural and remote healthcare issues such as workforce maldistribution and the high incidence of chronic disease have continued to be ignored in this budget.

‘Incentives to boost dental services and facilities in outer regions are a welcome step, but significantly more needs to be done to get the right mix of health professionals with expertise in managing chronic diseases and preventing unnecessary hospitalisations of people living and working in the bush,' explained APA President Melissa Locke.

‘Earlier this year, we presented Federal Government with a five-step-plan using existing mechanisms to incentivise physiotherapy practice in rural and remote regions. Whilst some of the ideas seem to have been adopted for dentists, the dire shortage of other key frontline workers like physiotherapists has been completely ignored.

‘Within rural and remote communities, there exists a range of chronic diseases, many with relatively high incidence rates, and significantly more preventable hospitalisations than in metropolitan areas. Programs to improve the distribution of well-trained, versatile health practitioners would help remedy this,' said Ms Locke.

Physiotherapists are one of the largest and most referred-to groups of first contact healthcare professionals. Their skills and training mean they work with a wide variety of conditions and disabilities to improve the health status of individuals across the lifespan.

‘But Australians living in the bush are missing out on the right care because of the lack of support for physiotherapists to relocate and practice in the areas of most need,' continued Ms Locke.

‘Amongst other solutions, we recommended the GP HECS Reimbursement Scheme, the General Practice Rural Incentives Program and the GP Practice Incentive Payment for Indigenous Health. None have been adopted and the profession is sincerely disappointed that federal politicians have turned their backs on small, cost effective steps to increase rural and remote access to the physiotherapy workforce.'

About the APA and its members
The APA is the peak body representing the interests of over 12 500 physiotherapists and their patients. It is our belief is that all Australians should have access to quality physiotherapy, when and where required, to optimise health and wellbeing. APA members are registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, have undertaken to meet the APA Code of Conduct, are expected to use the latest research in practice and often have further and/or specialist qualifications.

For more information
Jonathon Kruger
General Manager, Advocacy and International Relations Division
Australian Physiotherapy Association
P (+61) 402 208 104 E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to download the media release.

On Monday 30 April, Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) members and staff will join forces to demonstrate support for the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by participating in Every Australian Counts' Make It Real: NDIS 2012 rallies across six major cities.

‘The APA whole-heartedly backs a NDIS. Working in the healthcare industry, our current system concerns us deeply. Access to equipment and services in Australia by people with a disability is inconsistent at best and is a national shame,' said APA President Melissa Locke.

‘In mobilising APA members and staff for the rallies, we hope to urge members of Federal Parliament to walk the talk and to avoid politicising this issue leading up to the next federal election. It concerns the APA that, whilst the government has begun implementation of the scheme, a NDIS is not guaranteed by any party.

‘We must act now to revolutionise our highly fragmented, under resourced system to stop people falling through the cracks, and remove discrimination based on where someone lives or how they acquire their disability. Australia is a first world country and should boast a world class system that supports people with a disability.

‘As a physiotherapist who works daily with families of children with disabilities, I am acutely aware of the many instances where the system fails to meet needs. We believe the NDIS will provide much needed funding for essential care, support, therapy, aids, equipment, home modifications and access to the community, as well as education and training.

‘We encourage all Australians to join the Every Australian Counts national coalition of supporters in compelling Australia's governments, federal and state, to make the NDIS a reality. On Monday, APA members and staff will be rallying in unison to voice our support for the NDIS,' said Ms Locke.

The APA also believes that health professionals have a vital role in to play in the initiation, facilitation and provision of care for people with a disability. Physiotherapists are well-placed to help individuals 'navigate' and ‘plan' disability supports across the lifespan, as well as perform specific physiotherapy interventions to maximise function and mobility.

About the APA and its members
The APA is the peak body representing the interests of over 12 500 physiotherapists and their patients. APA members are registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, have undertaken to meet the APA Code of Conduct, are expected to use the latest research in practice and often have further and/or specialist qualifications. As first contact practitioners, a doctor's referral is not necessary to see a physiotherapist. Physiotherapists work with, educate and customise exercise programs for people affected by a wide range of conditions and symptoms.

Our belief
All Australians should have access to quality physiotherapy, when and where required, to optimise health and wellbeing.

For more information
Erik Froese
Australian Physiotherapy Association
P (+61) 457 963 675 E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to download the media release.