Returning Physiotherapists to Practice: Attracting an

untapped resource.

Paul Chapman MCSP

National Lead for Return to

Practice (AHP/HCS)

Health Education England

What is the programme?

• Time limited Government funded (Home Office (GEO) &

DHSC) part of Public sector Return to Work programme run

by HEE

• National programme to support AHP/HCS to return to the

HCPC register. Total 300 returnees by March 2019

• Built on the work of the East Midland AHP/HCS project:

- April 2016: 38 returnees (10 Physio’s) 85% employed

• Excludes Social Workers and AHP/HCS on a voluntary

registers

Aims of the programme

• Support current organisational workforce plans with

Return to Practice of AHP/HCS in England

• Support AHP/HCS attempting to RtP with smoother

pathway (HCPC Guidance)

• Challenge myths, views and misconceptions about

AHP/HCS wanting to RtP

• Encourage NHS, Social Care and HEI’s in England to

support AHP/HCS to RtP

• Share the learning across the health and social care

community employing AHP/HCS

Recruit Retain Return

Did you know ?

• Last five years 4,643 English based physiotherapist have

left the HCPC register. Ave 928 per year. (HCPC FOI June 2018)

• Since 2005 when HCPC was created average 63

physiotherapist in the UK returned to the register each

year. 633 in total between 2005 - 2015. (HCPC FOI March 2016)

• A returnee has up to one year to undertake a minimum of

30 or 60 days of updating of skills and knowledge to return

to the register.

• RtP can be achieved in an average of 4½ months.

• Currently cost average £1,093.00.

• RtP physiotherapist are a qualified clinicians (not

students)

HCPC RTP route: Created by the returnee

340 9 9

86 51

3

4113

1718 110 7

2

50

11

533

319

5 345 27 0

347

68

484

0

24 242

04

01 12 9

11 24

1 228

10

10 94

HEE AHP/HCS RTP Professions engagement progress and outcome breakdown

Total Enquires Started Completed

Physiotherapist returning data (England)

• Gender: Female 92%, Male 8%

• Average age: 44 (oldest 62, Youngest 25)

• Average number years since qualified: 19

• Average number years off the register: 8

(75% required to undertake min 60 days)

• Average number years since last practiced: 9

• Average number of years clinical experience: 8

(59% Band 6 or above at point of leaving )Figures for physiotherapy compare favourably with the national programme

What do physiotherapy returners have to offer our patient?

• Fully qualified physiotherapist, wealth of experience

and knowledge (clinical / life)

• Support organisational workforce plans with

recruitment

• Experienced motivated clinician living local

• Fast track to difficult to fill posts ? (Band 6 / Band 7)

• Raise the profile of the your organisation as employer

of choice

• Try before you buy…!

• Reduce recruitment / agency cost… !

• Increase Bank capacity…!

How can you / RtP support workforce issues ?

Support physiotherapist to return to practice

– Make it part of any workforce strategy recruit,

retain, return

– Provide placements for returnees

– Look for new ways of working to support returnees

Actively seek and recruit returners in your area

– Find un-registered physiotherapist in your

organisations encourage them to return?

– Look at the local community, potential returnees,

campaign

So where and what are our returning Physiotherapist

doing now?

• Of the 28 registered 22 are employed

• Permanent - 14

• Fixed Term - 3

• Bank - 5

– 13 Full time

– 9 Part time

• Various Banding

– Band 5 – 15

– Band 6 - 7

Returnees now looking at other roles at higher bands

Past returnees are now part of the current workforce

My Challenge to you

• Encourage physiotherapist to

return

• Seek out returnees / open the

door

• Look at the returnee as a long

term investment providing long

term savings

• Challenge myths

• Be creative

• Be prepared to see the benefits

• Support motivated experienced

clinician to return

EmailPaul.Chapman@hee.nhs.uk

HEE websitewww.hee.nhs.uk/ahp-hcs

Twitter @PaulChapman09

#iamreadytoreturn