Physiotherapists in Schools

Canterbury put forward a remit in 1976 suggesting that the Society approach the Education Dept. re the establishment of a pilot scheme in primary schools for an itinerant physiotherapist to be attached to schools in an advisory, remedial and preventative capacity.  Miss Askew said that such schemes were working overseas.  It was resolved that a letter be sent to the Director-General of Education.  The Department replied in March 1997 saying it was not possible to set up such a scheme.  None the less in October 1977 Canterbury Branch suggested that an appointed committee should meet with the Education Department to discuss a pilot scheme for this[1].

Canterbury Branch prepared a letter to the Director-General of Public Health in 1978.[2],  and in 1981 they approached the Educational Institute for their reaction.[3].  The Board sent letters to Hospital Boards in August 1981 suggesting they broaden their community /domiciliary services.[4]  By October 1981 all papers were sent to National Office, with no further action at the time.  In December 1981 Barbara Hetherington had a meeting with Dawn Birrell and Helene Moss to discuss forming an SIG for physiotherapists working in Schools.  These physiotherapists had indicated their desire to have the PSA handle their negotiating rights.[5]  They were written to about the representation of their negotiating rights [6],  and in September 1983 the group decided to have their negotiating rights represented by the Society[7].

Physiotherapists in Special Schools made a submission to a draft review of special Education in 1987.  A meeting was held in Auckland to discuss the Health syllabus in Schools.[8]

Educational Therapists Group in Schools was formed in April 1990.[9]  Eileen Lamb discussed problems confronting neuro-developmental physiotherapists working in Schools in June 1990.  A meeting was organised for these physiotherapists in the Auckland area[10].

Jeanette Thorne organised a telephone conference call to enable physiotherapists in the lower North Island and South Island to liaise with members in Auckland to discuss matters of concern to all physiotherapists working in schools.[11].  Following this teleconference call it was agreed that there was sufficient interest in the profession to encourage the formation of  a special interest group.

By November 1993 the physiotherapists working in Special Education in Schools wished to be known as Education Physiotherapists.  The Auckland Group wrote job descriptions and circulated the draft copy nationally.  Education Physiotherapists no longer belonged to the PSA for bargaining,  but the New Zealand Education Institute. (NZEI).  At that time they had an occupational therapist representing them..[12]

[1] E/M 1 - 10 - 77

[2] E/M 11 - 2 - 78

[3] E/M 14 - 3 - 81

[4] E/M 1 - 8 - 81

[5] E/M 11 -12 - 81

[6] E/M 28 - 5 - 83

[7]  E/M 17 - 9 - 83

[8] E/M 26/27 - 6 - 87

[9] NZJP April 1990 page 13

[10] E/M 23 - 6 - 90

[11] E/M 25 - 8 - 92

[12]  E/M 19 - 11 - 93