The Case for Urgent Investment in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Services

21 November 2024 (Last updated: 22 Nov 2024 10:08)

The Case for Urgent Investment in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Services

Parliamentary Event Highlights Resource Shortages

At a recent parliamentary event hosted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Vice Chair of the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) group, Lucia Berry, alongside Katie Mann, highlighted critical shortcomings in the delivery of pelvic health physiotherapy services. Despite government initiatives like increased funding for Perinatal Pelvic Health Services (PPHS) and the introduction of an implementation plan, these measures have not fully addressed the growing demand or resource constraints within these services.

Lucia Berry emphasised a striking disconnect: while funding was intended to alleviate pressures and expand services, many front-line practitioners report that this investment has not translated into sufficient staffing, adequate training, or even the physical space required to deliver care effectively. This was echoed by representatives at the event who called for a comprehensive strategy to address these deficits.

Pelvic Health: A Cornerstone of Women's Health Hubs

Pelvic health physiotherapy should be a key component of Women’s Health Hubs, a promising model proposed to streamline care for issues like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and postnatal recovery. These hubs aim to provide holistic, one-stop-shop services at the intersection of primary and secondary care.

Yet, as outlined in the "Women’s Health Economics: Investing in the 51 Per Cent" report, these hubs are hindered by insufficient and non-recurrent funding, which limits their impact. For every £1 invested in gynaecology services, there is a return of £11 in economic benefits. Such figures underscore the potential cost-effectiveness of scaling up pelvic health services to meet the rising demand and reduce the gender health gap.

A Systemic Crisis: The Bigger Picture

The RCOG’s report, "Waiting for a Way Forward," notes that gynaecology waiting lists remain among the worst across medical specialties, with some women waiting over a year for care. Untreated pelvic health conditions lead to complex, costly interventions, affecting not only healthcare systems but also the wider economy. Issues such as organ prolapse, sepsis, and kidney failure escalate when early physiotherapy intervention is unavailable. Katie Mann highlights the need to ensure patients are triaged to the most appropriate place for effective management and resourcing.

Moreover, the current shortfall in resources exacerbates workforce burnout, with many practitioners citing a lack of training opportunities and physical spaces to treat patients.

Recommendations for Action

To effectively address these challenges, the following steps are essential:

Increase and Secure Long-Term Funding: Allocate ringfenced funding to Women’s Health Hubs & Perinatal Pelvic Health Services ensuring sustained delivery beyond the current financial year. Resources must prioritise pelvic health physiotherapy, which offers proven economic and health benefits.
Expand Training Programs: Invest in advanced training for pelvic health physiotherapists to address service gaps and equip practitioners with the latest techniques in addressing pelvic floor dysfunction.
Optimise Use of Existing Infrastructure: Mandate that NHS trusts allocate adequate rooms and facilities for physiotherapy treatments, reducing current bottlenecks caused by space shortages.
Leverage Women’s Health Strategy Momentum: Ensure that initiatives outlined in the Women’s Health Strategy are fully resourced and include clear accountability measures to track their implementation.
Incorporate Physiotherapy in Prevention Models: Expand the scope of Women’s Health Hubs to emphasise early intervention through physiotherapy, which can reduce downstream costs by preventing advanced complications.
Focus on Health Inequalities: Tailor interventions to regions with higher levels of deprivation or diversity, addressing the compounded barriers to care faced by these populations).

Conclusion

Pelvic health physiotherapy is more than a healthcare service; it is a cost-effective solution to one of the most pressing public health crises facing women today. As the backbone of Women’s Health Hubs, these services must be prioritised to ensure that every woman in the UK receives the care she deserves. Without immediate and sustained investment, the NHS risks perpetuating a system that fails 51% of the population. It is time to act decisively to close the gender health gap and build a healthier, more equitable future for all.