Meeting with the Physiotherapy Board

On 23 May 2024, members of the Trust met with the Physiotherapy Board CEO Janette Woltman-Black and Registrar James Dunne.

The Trust thanks the Board for meeting with us as we are very aware that in person meetings require personal effort and time expenditure. From experience, in person meetings can make New Zealand a better place for patients, perhaps more than other formal events may create.

 At the meeting various matters were discussed. While there were long discussions on various topics, a snapshot of the outcomes are: 

• It is within the scope of physiotherapy practice to order MRI’s and CT scans.
• Physiotherapists can provide medical certificates for time off work.
• Inter-physiotherapist communications are important to protect the safety of the public. An investigation into what rehabilitation has and is currently provided may help with that.

At this pivotal point, the future of physiotherapists requires more resources than one group alone can provide, and the Physiotherapy Board will leave a significant footprint on the future.

 It is an exciting time for physiotherapy patients as the next months to years will demonstrate. Gathering at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club may be symbolic of all being in the same Waka and our requirement to paddle.