South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP)

Overview:

Profession(s): Physiotherapy
Scope: National - South Africa
Formed: 1925
Members: 3,100
Registration No.: 9063713169
Address: PO Box 92125, Norwood, Johannesburg, 2117, South Africa
Phone: +27 (11) 485 1467
Fax: +27 (11) 485 1613
Email: manager@saphysio.co.za
Website: www.physiosa.org.za

Description:

A non-profit, public benefit organisation which looks after the interests & professional reputation of South Africa's physiotherapists.

Mission/Aims:

The South African Society of Physiotherapy affirms that:

It provides a structure within which the needs of its members are met,
It strives to ensure the quality of physiotherapy services to all peoples throughout South Africa,
It does not discriminate on grounds of race, colour, creed, national origins, social status or gender in the practice of physiotherapy or in the administration of its organisation,
It safeguards the welfare of its members and makes representation against any form of discrimination against its members,
It acts as a planning, development and information resource to its members, to other health professions, to health planners at all levels and to the general public,
It supports unequivocally the provision of unitary health service and encourages all progress made in the integration of health care services.

Principal Activities:

Members Support Service

Member Benefits:

Malpractice Insurance, Public Liability cover at a reduced group premium rate.

Information regarding courses and jobs available as well as news of our fellow physio's and generally what is happening in our world.

On line access to "courses and classifieds" as well as the directory of members and much much more information.
Providing members and the public with advice and information.

Access to the Special Interest Groups which often develops into our main contact with the Society. There are now seven of these, Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists Group (OMTG), NeuroRehab (NRG), Cardio-Pulmonary Respiratory Group (CPRG), Sports, Animal Health, Women's Health and Acupuncture with the possibility of Hydrotherapy becoming a formal group in the future. They provide us with colleagues who run continuing education courses and take responsibility for letting us know about new developments in the various fields of physiotherapy.

Congress every two years and publish the Journal four times a year. Both of these give the academics the opportunity to present their research, which is becoming increasingly necessary for job promotion.

An established Physiotherapy Research Foundation that assists with funding research projects (both for degree and non degree purposes). Together with the Orthopaedic Manipulative Research Incentive Fund (OMRIF) we have funded projects throughout the country. The PPK fund assists members with finance to attend courses and congresses internationally. The SASP is asked to recommend possible keynote speakers for the international physiotherapy congresses. This is another potential advantage for our lecturer member.

The Tariffs Committee negotiates the best possible rates for our services with the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), then runs workshops throughout the country to help us use them to our best advantage. They also have an advisory panel who provide immediate advice over the telephone. The Private Practitioners Group also publishes the "Blue Book" a hugely informative booklet covering all aspects of private practice in South Africa, and the directory which is sent to all general practitioners containing the names and practice details of all category A members.

The SASP funds the student leaders annual get together to thrash out their particular issues, which then become our issues! We are finalizing the administrative details of a new student bursary that will be available soon.

Standards of Physiotherapy Practice (SOPP) - a standing committee - sorts out many of the minor ethical / poor practice issues often avoiding a members referral to the disciplinary committee of the Professional Board. They are also there to give advice regarding professional practice matters.

Every year the SASP (Communications division) using media consultants, coordinates the Physiotherapy Back Week focussing on increasing the public's exposure to the benefits of physiothrapy, through the media and physiotherapists themselves.

We have dealings with our international parent bodies, the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT), the International Private Practitioners Association (IPPA) and the International Federation of Manipulative Therapists (IFOMT) whose international congress we are hosting in 2004.

As the only association recognized by the Government as being representative of the profession of Physiotherapy, the SASP is negotiating with Department of Health regarding Community service and the development of the new two year assistants Diploma in Physiotherapy Technology. We are negotiating with the Professional Board of the Health Professions Council regarding continuing professional development (CPD). We also have discussions with amongst others, the Disabled Peoples Organization, the OT and Speech Therapy Associations and the Podiatrists, regarding issues of mutual benefit.

Being a member of the SASP also offers the possibility of developing personal negotiating, financial, secretarial and managerial skills... by getting involved. In these times of change, never underestimate how valuable new skills can be. You may have noticed how "we", "us" and "the SASP" have been used interchangeably. It's because "we" are the "SASP" and "they" are "us".

Training/Licensing/Certification:

A variety of courses, Membership Card & Number - in the process of gaining the ability to Accreditate Private Practices

Affiliations:

Associations to which we are a member:
Bone & Joint Decade
World Confederation of Physical Therapists
Resuscitation Council of South Africa
Age In Action
South African Osteoporosis Foundation

Our member Associations, Chapters, Divisions:
South African Medical Association (SAMA)

Verification Criteria:

Health Professionals Council of South Africa Number
Private Practice Number
SASP Number