3 current issues that Private Practitioners
in the UK are dealing with …
Sandy Lewis, Chairman
Physio First
3 current issues that Private Practitioners
in the UK are dealing with …
Independent Prescribing
The Rise of Commercial Networks!
Getting Organised
Issue 1
Independent Prescribing
Independent Prescribing
The Background:
Since 2005, Physiotherapists who have
undergone the appropriate training, in the UK
have had supplementary prescribing rights.
This still meant that:
• All medication had to be prescribed by a
Medical Practitioner & that the private
practitioner had to have “an appropriate relationship” with
that Medical Practitioner in order to administer medication.
Independent Prescribing
The Issue:
Trying to persuade the Govt & the medical
world that Physios were not only capable of
managing & administering medication but
also of prescribing medication.
In 2012, after 10 years of campaigning,
UK Physiotherapists were given the green
light for independent prescribing.
This allows Physiotherapists to prescribe any licensed
medicine and to also mix medicines prior to administration.
Independent Prescribing
Physio First’s Approach:
None save to look at the immediate business case because
…
• It was all the work of the CSP who
battled for years
• The HCPC will be setting up 26 week,
part time University courses which will cost approx £2000
• They will only be offered to advanced practitioners roles
working especially in respiratory, neurology, women’s
health and chronic pain.
Independent Prescribing
Physio First’s Approach:
The business case for private practitioners currently is that
few small practices will meet the course entry criteria but
those from larger private practices , private clinics & hospitals
& those who provide services to NHS organisations should.
Health Minister Lord Howe said:
• “Physiotherapists and podiatrists are highly trained clinicians
who play a vital role in ensuring patients receive integrated care
that helps them recover after treatment or manage a long term
condition successfully.
• “By introducing these changes, we aim to make the best use of
their skills and allow patients to benefit from a faster and more
effective service, without compromising on safety.”
Issue 2
The Rise of Commercial
Networks!
The Rise of Commercial Networks
The Background:
The UK private practice market has had “Networks” for years:
• “Preferred Provider” networks for
Private Medical Insurers for 20 years
• “Commercial Intermediary” networks
for Road Accident Insurers for 13 years.
The Rise of Commercial Networks
The Issue:
The “Networks” are getting more organised
& deploying “Managed Care” which means:
• The Networks have developed Triage:
– Which determine “if” patients should
go to a Physio or Self-Manage
– Even if sent to a Physio, allow very
limited numbers of treatment
m s:
• Physio First expect Network Triage to develop to “tell”
Physios “how” to treat – an affront to clinical autonomy!
The Rise of Commercial Networks
Physio First’s Approach:
To get organised enough to be able to challenge them on
commercial terms which we have determined to be “Evidence
Based”, “Cost Efficiency” & “Brand” & plan to:
• Engage with Commercial Networks so that
we acquire as much information as
possible from them & about them
• Over 5-Years consider developing a Physio First supported
Network that is a true “Brand”… which requires very hard
work & very sophisticated commercial acumen!
Issue 3
Getting Organised
Getting Organised
The Background:
Changes & increasingly faster changes in
the UK private practice marketplace
AND
… our strategic review in 2008 where
we decided to try to become functional …
Getting Organised
The Background:
From 2008 we spent the next 5-years
• Providing a Job Profile for EVERY Role
• Running strictly to our Business Plan
• Focusing on “good” internal
communication
• Woking on how to manage our Capacity (time, energy &
money)
• Developing our Culture i.e. written down & agreed
behaviour
• Planning everything!
Getting Organised
The Issue:
So having become “more organised we then “knew” we
had to undertake another strategic review … this time
more fundamental …
… this time to review why we existed
i.e. to answer the question:
“What should Physio First be for?”
AND to develop:
5-Year Business Plan priorities
Getting Organised
Physio First’s Approach:
After 3-days of facilitated meetings we
answered the question:
“What should Physio First be for?”
and will sign off our:
5-Year Business Plan priorities
… next week!!!
Getting Organised
What should Physio First be for?
Answer:
To Champion evidence based cost
effective private physiotherapy with
Physio First members in a changing
healthcare marketplace.
Appendix 1 – Organisational Audit
Physio First 5-Year Plan
The Order in which Physio First is to tackle each Must Do item