Page 8 - Physio Board of New Zealand Annual Report 2015
P. 8
From the
Chair and Chief Executive
We are pleased to present the Physiotherapy Board's
Annual Report for 2014 – 2015 to the Minister of Health.
We are extremely proud of the year’s collective achievements. We have continued on the
path of improving the way we work and the service we provide.
While it goes without question that the Board and Secretariat take the work we do extremely
seriously and are totally committed to meeting our accountabilities; our systems and
processes have been carefully scrutinized to improve our effectiveness and efficiency. One of
the key strategies this year has been a programme of continuous quality improvement. This
programme is based on an agreed methodology with key work streams identified that support
the Strategic Plan and identify areas of service improvement.
Feedback indicated that two main areas needed to be reviewed. These were overseas
registration and complaints. The key themes for both these areas were lack of timeliness and a
lack of understanding of the process. We are proud to report that the majority of the overseas
process has been revised; the main areas being internal efficiencies. All documentation has
been updated and there is continued work on the website to improve clarity and those who
are declined registration.
There are a small number of complaints relative to the total number of practising
physiotherapists although with improved access and reporting there has been a significant
increase in the number of complaints received by the Board. Again the feedback process
takes a long time and for some it is not clear. Reviewing the complaints and notifications
process and systems provided an opportunity to streamline where appropriate.
Communication has been a key improvement with the completion of a revised Complaints
Policy and information on the website. Improved linkages with other key stakeholders
including ACC and HDC, where there is a dual accountability has also improved the channels
of communication as required.
Our voice and presence has certainly been heard on the international scene in the last 12
months with the launch of the Bi National Practice Thresholds. These joint Aotearoa New
Zealand and Australian thresholds for entry level practice for the physiotherapy profession
have sparked some international interest at the World Congress of Physical Therapists.
Likewise the International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities (INPTRA)
presentation where the Chair presented in November at a global webinar on physiotherapy
regulation in Aotearoa New Zealand, included how regulation is funded, and described the
framework and structure of our regulation. The Chair and Chief Executive also attended
meetings in Australia with our fellow Board colleagues at the NRAS1 combined meeting,
the Australasian Physiotherapy Programme Leaders CPDANZ2 meeting and the Australian
Physiotherapy Association Annual Conference held in sunny Cairns.
Aotearoa New Zealand hosted its first combined Regulatory Authority meeting in Wellington
in May, which was a fantastic opportunity to meet and share our regulatory successes and
challenges across all authorities, and meet many other authority members and healthcare
industry professionals.
The keynote presentations from Mr Harry Cayton of the United Kingdom Professional
Standards Authority (who monitor the regulators) were entertaining and informative.
1 National Registration & Accreditation Scheme
2 Council of Physiotherapy Deans of Australia and New Zealand
8 Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand – Annual Report
Chair and Chief Executive
We are pleased to present the Physiotherapy Board's
Annual Report for 2014 – 2015 to the Minister of Health.
We are extremely proud of the year’s collective achievements. We have continued on the
path of improving the way we work and the service we provide.
While it goes without question that the Board and Secretariat take the work we do extremely
seriously and are totally committed to meeting our accountabilities; our systems and
processes have been carefully scrutinized to improve our effectiveness and efficiency. One of
the key strategies this year has been a programme of continuous quality improvement. This
programme is based on an agreed methodology with key work streams identified that support
the Strategic Plan and identify areas of service improvement.
Feedback indicated that two main areas needed to be reviewed. These were overseas
registration and complaints. The key themes for both these areas were lack of timeliness and a
lack of understanding of the process. We are proud to report that the majority of the overseas
process has been revised; the main areas being internal efficiencies. All documentation has
been updated and there is continued work on the website to improve clarity and those who
are declined registration.
There are a small number of complaints relative to the total number of practising
physiotherapists although with improved access and reporting there has been a significant
increase in the number of complaints received by the Board. Again the feedback process
takes a long time and for some it is not clear. Reviewing the complaints and notifications
process and systems provided an opportunity to streamline where appropriate.
Communication has been a key improvement with the completion of a revised Complaints
Policy and information on the website. Improved linkages with other key stakeholders
including ACC and HDC, where there is a dual accountability has also improved the channels
of communication as required.
Our voice and presence has certainly been heard on the international scene in the last 12
months with the launch of the Bi National Practice Thresholds. These joint Aotearoa New
Zealand and Australian thresholds for entry level practice for the physiotherapy profession
have sparked some international interest at the World Congress of Physical Therapists.
Likewise the International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities (INPTRA)
presentation where the Chair presented in November at a global webinar on physiotherapy
regulation in Aotearoa New Zealand, included how regulation is funded, and described the
framework and structure of our regulation. The Chair and Chief Executive also attended
meetings in Australia with our fellow Board colleagues at the NRAS1 combined meeting,
the Australasian Physiotherapy Programme Leaders CPDANZ2 meeting and the Australian
Physiotherapy Association Annual Conference held in sunny Cairns.
Aotearoa New Zealand hosted its first combined Regulatory Authority meeting in Wellington
in May, which was a fantastic opportunity to meet and share our regulatory successes and
challenges across all authorities, and meet many other authority members and healthcare
industry professionals.
The keynote presentations from Mr Harry Cayton of the United Kingdom Professional
Standards Authority (who monitor the regulators) were entertaining and informative.
1 National Registration & Accreditation Scheme
2 Council of Physiotherapy Deans of Australia and New Zealand
8 Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand – Annual Report
