Lack of Physio jobs bad news for everyone

11.10.02am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 4th Jan 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has discovered that up to a third of newly qualified physiotherapists are unable to find jobs when they graduate.

Following concerns expressed to Ms Williams by several of her Mid Wales constituents, the AM submitted written questions to the Health Minister. His responses revealed that despite the £22,650 cost to train each one, up to 39 of the 117 physios who graduated in 2006 were unable to find jobs in the field.

Ms Williams said: "Whichever way you look at this, it is a clear waste of resources. Physiotherapists provide a much needed service and, given that 377 people are still waiting more than 36 weeks to see one, it is hard to understand why people with skills are not being snapped up. More physios will be graduating in 2007, their training paid for out of taxpayers money - where will they find employment?

"Physiotherapists can play an important role in primary community care, treating people in their communities rather than taking up precious space in hospitals. Local Health Boards, however, just don't seem to be commissioning these services. I don't want to see physio training places cut, I want to see more posts created, to tackle the waiting list backlog and improve community healthcare for all."

Notes:

· In response to Written Answer Questions submitted by Ms Williams (WAQ48684/ 48642/ 48683), the Health Minister Brian Gibbons provided a range of information, including: "One hundred and seventeen physiotherapists graduated in July 2006 and latest information suggests that less than 40 graduates have not been successful in securing a first destination post" and "At the end of October 2006 there were 323 physiotherapists in training in Wales. Given that the average cost to train one physiotherapist for one year is £7,550, the anticipated cost for training physiotherapists in Wales in 2006/07 is £2.44m". The full answers are available on request.