Charge Physiotherapists

The Charge Physiotherapists Association was formed in 1975 and granted the right to submit remits to Council in July 1976.  The group voiced concerns for public sector physiotherapists in the earlier years.  They produced a document setting out “Rules of conduct and training for Hospital Physiotherapy Aides” in 1981.  The Association made suggestions about quality assurance in 1983;  although they suggested a working party on the subject it did not eventuate.  A seminar was held after the 1985 AGM and the group worked on “Standards for a Hospital” in 1986.  Many Charge Physiotherapists organised post basic courses.

Between 1975 and 1986 they made various suggestions to Executive,  some to do with bursars and some to do with Physiotherapy Aides.  In 1981 the booklet  “Rules of conduct and Training for Hospital Physiotherapy Aides” was reprinted.  The group made recommendations on Quality Assurance in May 1983,  and had input into the Code of Safe Practices in 1984.  A very successful seminar was held after the 1985 AGM,  and in July 1985 they discussed the draft of a “Standard for a Hospital”.  A national workshop for Directors of Physiotherapy Services was held in September 1985 from which they produced- “What information is Needed for Effective Leadership of a Physiotherapy Dept”.  This was accepted in January 1986. 

The Charge Physiotherapists and the Hospital Physiotherapists considered amalgamation in January 1986,  this was achieved in October 1986.

The first mention of a Senior Manager’s group was in 1987,  when they were given $200 towards the cost of a workshop.  The Senior Physiotherapy Managers Group supported the principle of a central resource group to assist physiotherapists working in isolated areas in December 1989. [1]

Neil Beney (Executive liaison person) reported in August 1992 that the Senior Manager Group would co-operate with the Society in providing information for future submissions from the Society.  A statement about accountability was made.[2]  Formal links with NZSP were established in November 1992.  The Senior physiotherapists group met to discuss this draft career structure document in July 1994.[3]  Senior Physiotherapy Managers’ Conferences have been held in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999.

[1] E/M 9-12-89 -

[2] E/M 25-8-92 -

[3] E/M 24-7-93