December 2024 NZ Physiotherapy Trust Newsletter

Kia ora koutou NZPT Members

As we move closer to the holidays when we take a break from advocacy and other work, I wanted to provide an update on what NZPT has been doing recently for you.

On 16 December 2024, three members of the Trust went to Parliament and met with Minister Jenny Marcroft. She invited us to Wellington to discuss ways in which physiotherapy can help the New Zealand Health Care systems. We discussed the benefits of physiotherapists being able to provide ACC medical certificates, ACC funded referrals for MRI’s and the improved use of physiotherapists in the Public Health system. It was a very positive meeting, and we look forward to seeing some results.

We stated :

For physiotherapists to work effectively as primary care providers, the following is observed:

1. MRI’s and other complex radiological referrals from Physiotherapists are within our scope of practice, but the ACC does not pay for these tests if the referral comes from a physiotherapist.
2. The provision of physiotherapy ACC return-to-work medical certificates are not accepted by the ACC, requiring claimants to obtain these from their GP.
3. Hydrocortisone injections are within the physiotherapy scope of practice.
4. Administering skin cancer referrals should be accepted (support for dermatology courses for senior clinicians).
5. Respiratory care physiotherapists should be involved in the emergency departments and other acute care services.
6. Physiotherapists should be working to triage for all musculoskeletal conditions in emergency departments and wider emergency practices.
7. Mental health physiotherapy primary providers every day and every patient.
8. Physiotherapists help with smoking and vaping cessation.

Attached in a paper from Robert Sellars that may of interest to you as well.

Please let us know if there is anything that we can do for you and we will let you know of any updates. We hope you all have a very happy holiday season.

Kia pai tō koutou rā