'Staying active’ with your obligations helps keep the public safe – National Board recognises special day for physios

07 Sep 2017

The Physiotherapy Board of Australia (the Board) has commended Australia’s 30,153 registered physiotherapists for their important contribution to the health and wellbeing of the Australian community at all stages of their lives.

World Physical Therapy Day is an international day of significance held on 8 September every year. The overarching theme is always ‘Movement for Health’. This year, the suggested message is ‘Physical activity for life’, highlighting the important role that physiotherapists play in healthy ageing.

The day is also an opportunity to share regulatory messages about the profession and highlight its contribution to global health.

‘Physiotherapists support patients at all stages of their lives, when they are young and active to when they are aging and require additional support. Their dedication and commitment to helping people get well, and be mobile, independent and fit is truly admirable,’ said Board Chair, Dr Charles Flynn.

Dr Flynn is asking physiotherapists across Australia to also remember that regulation empowers the public to know what to expect when they receive care from a registered physiotherapist, while supporting them as practitioners to keep them safe.

‘Both the Board and registrants make a critical contribution towards the public receiving safe and ethical care that helps keep people healthy, active, mobile and independent – which is what this special day is all about,’ said Dr Flynn.

Patients expect that every time they see a physiotherapist their practitioner is adhering to their obligations, that they are suitably qualified and trained and are safe in the knowledge that their practitioner will put their best interests first.

‘We ask all physiotherapists to connect to and stay active with their regulatory responsibilities this World Physical Therapy Day, by understanding their legal obligations and why it is important to keep up-to-date with what the Board is doing throughout their career,’ he said.

To enable this, the Board sets the standards that establish the requirements for physiotherapists to be registered to practise competently and safely in Australia.

The Board also publishes codes and guidelines for physiotherapists and maintains the Register of practitioners which can be accessed at www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au

For more information

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