Physiotherapy Aides

The first note in the Minutes about Physiotherapy Aides was in 1974 when there was a remit concerning their Education and salary negotiating rights.  The Aides were made affiliate members of the Society in 1975.  The rules were not clear about their right to attend branch meetings,  each branch was to make its own interpretation.

It was resolved in September 1979 that Aids and Affiliates would have no voting rights and would not be permitted to attend meetings of the Society,  but would be requested to present material if it was thought necessary.  Their subscription to the Society was $2, + SHEO levy.  Because the Society was concerned with the salaries and training of aides,  it produced a code in 1981. 

The Registrar of the Physiotherapy Board asked a person to visit the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Rotorua to assess the situation of the bath attendants in April 1982.  The Bath House attendants at Rotorua had caused concern from the early days.  The matter is first mentioned in 1925,  and has cropped up at intervals ever since.  The Association was concerned that an attendant might leave the Baths and set up in private practice claiming he was trained in massage.  As far as is known,  no such case ever occurred[1].  Part of the five point plan for the Society put forward by Grace Wilson in May 1984 was that the bath attendants at Rotorua were to become Physiotherapy Aides.  The matter was still under consideration in 1985.

The PSA asked for information about the training of Physiotherapy Aides in June 1986.  A one day workshop about the role and function of Physiotherapy Aides was held in September 1988,  and by December 1988 the second draft of this document was being considered.  The name Physiotherapy Aide was changed to Assistant at the 1990 AGM.

A Senior Physiotherapy Assistant requested Executive to find out what courses were available for Physiotherapy Assistants in July 1993.  A further letter in November 1993 enquired about pay scales, job conditions,  training etc.  Courses were available at several tertiary institutions,  and could be developed through NZQA.

At the Physiotherapy Managers Conference held in Dunedin in October 1998 there was discussion on the role of physiotherapy assistants in New Zealand which differed around the country.  At the Physiotherapy Managers Conference in 1999 it was decided to do a survey into current utilisation of physiotherapy assistants and survey objectives were drafted.  Fiona Murdoch and Sue Lord,  Research Liaison Research Officer,  prepared a proposal for the commissioning of research into the utilisation of physiotherapists assistants throughout New Zealand and the availability of training.[2] 

[1] The Golden Jubilee Enid Anderson page 42

[2] E/M October 1998