[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Government Guidelines Ignore Skilled Graduates Who Can Help Ease Post Covid-19 Rehabilitation Crisis
The Society of Sports Therapists was extremely frustrated to read in the updated Government guidelines for businesses in England, published 24th June 2020, that Sports Therapy has been directly linked with Massage Therapy, so prejudicing and restricting its members from practising.
By using the label Sports Therapy within the guidelines, the Government has not only placed restrictions on to a profession that has a vital role to play within its own post Covid-19 rehabilitation agenda, but also increased the risk of patients returning to formal hospital care because they cannot easily access skills needed, from the profession that can provide them.
The Society is concerned that the latest guidelines clearly indicate the Westminster Government’s lack of awareness of the breadth of knowledge, skills and expertise that Graduate Sports Therapists have in Sport and Exercise Therapy.
Whilst massage is a competency and skill that Graduate Sports Therapists can utilise, it forms a very small part of their extensive exercise and rehabilitation portfolio.
Many members of The Society of Sports Therapists have continued to provide an extremely necessary and important service during the Covid-19 pandemic. While restricted to predominantly working remotely, they have ensured that musculoskeletal (MSK) patients across a wide section of ages and abilities together with post COVID-19 patients who have required rehabilitation and MSK care, have been able to receive necessary and appropriate rehabilitation and exercise advice.
Members have also provided, with modifications, the vital skills and support required for professional and elite sport to return.
Graduate Members of The Society of Sports Therapists belong to a highly respected professional organisation that has been in existence for 30 years.
The Society of Sports Therapists currently collaborates with 30 universities and accredits 38 academic programmes. The guidelines do not reflect or respect this fact and Sports Therapists must be permitted to continue to provide the rehabilitation provision that they have been trained for, especially in these current times when even this Government is crying out for practitioners to do this.
Professor Graham N. Smith said:
‘As Chairman of The Society of Sports therapists, I was horrified when I saw that Sports Therapy had been linked specifically with, and as, massage therapy and then had undefined time restrictions placed upon them.
‘It clearly showed not only ignorance but a lack of insight into the knowledge skills and expertise of these practitioners, especially members of the Society. Sports Therapy is predominantly a graduate profession and as such, it has meant that many Members of the Society have been prejudiced against at a time when their expertise is needed.’
Date Sent : 25th June 2020[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]