Physiotherapist staff shortages 'taking a devastating toll on NHS patients'

Physiotherapists are experiencing “unprecedented levels of stress and burnout”, with a new survey showing almost half are considering quitting their job.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) found that 49% of physiotherapists it surveyed in Scotland are considering leaving, with 48% complaining they feel pressured to work extra unpaid hours.

Of the 500 physiotherapists surveyed across all 14 area health boards in Scotland, 45% said they had experienced either mental or physical health issues as a result of stress.

The research also found more than three quarters (77%) of physiotherapists reporting that patients are having to wait longer than guidance states for treatment.

And three out of five (60%) say patients are suffering from increased pain and disability, with 56% also reporting increased anxiety and depression amongst those they are treating.

To tackle the problem, the CSP is calling on the Scottish Government to increase training places for physiotherapy.

It comes as one physiotherapist said that “our waiting list is over two years long for routine rehab” – adding that this has led to increasing numbers of patients “needing crisis interventions”.

Another said that having “lost many skilled and excellent therapists due to poor job satisfaction and stress”, newly qualified staff members just out of university were “running complex rehab wards because we don’t have enough staff”.

And one physiotherapist spoke about the “overwhelming” stress, adding: “I’m not sure how long I can keep this up with so many of my colleagues considering leaving.”

Two thirds (66%) of physiotherapists said there was a recruitment freeze in their service, with two fifths (43%) saying that dedicated space for rehabilitation had been taken away, while 41% have seen posts cut.

Kenryck Lloyd-Jones, CSP public affairs and policy manager for Scotland said: “This survey reveals the declining and often desperate context in which our members are trying to provide healthcare.

“We need a plan of action from the Scottish Government, or the quality of care can only deteriorate further.

“NHS staff are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and burnout, which threatens ever higher levels of attrition.”

Mr Lloyd-Jones continued: “Physiotherapists are doing tremendous work in the NHS, but current staffing shortages are impacting capacity across Scotland.

“As our members testify, this isn’t just delaying people’s recovery, it is leading to re-admissions, avoidable emergency care for falls, and much greater need for health and social care support due to a lack of rehabilitation.

“The CSP is calling on the Scottish Government to intervene to expand the number of training places and plan the future physiotherapy workforce.

“We need a long-term strategy that will prioritise prevention and invest in rehabilitation to provide the best care possible.

“Unless this happens, the situation can only worsen. We must reverse the false economy of further shortages, creating longer waiting times and more ineffective services, requiring ever more complex and costly healthcare.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.