All Systems Go for WCPT Congress A staggering 630 abstracts have been submitted from all over the world for presentation

at next year’s World Congress of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, which is being held in London. Some 570 were accepted and these papers will be given a t the Barbican Centre in London between July 28 and August 2, 1991. The final details, groupings and so on are being finalised and should be available shortly.

Many individuals and units have already registered for the Congress, and did so by the first ’deadline‘. The second one is on February 28, so if you are considering coming to the event, registering now will save you some money. The February rate is f295 plus VAT for the full Congress, including all professional sessions, the welcome party, opening ceremony, reception, concert, documentation, proceedings, exhibition, tea and coffee.

Extra Courses In addition t o those pre- and post-Congress courses already listed in the Advance

Programme, several extra courses have just been announced and are listed here. The first t w o are organised jointly by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists and the Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists.

A Synopsis of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy including passive movement and neuromuscular techniques

July 23-26. St Thomas’ Hospital, London

Principal speaker: Mr David Lamb BSc MCSP MCPA

This is a practical course to teach assessment skills with emphasis on the lower quadrant examination, and to practise manual therapy skills with particular reference to the KaltenbordEvjenth system in which distraction and gliding are utilised. Functional neuromuscular techniques, capsular stretch techniques and muscle stretching according to Evjenth and Janda, postural management and exercises will be taught to provide a comprehensive foundation for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders of the lower quadrant.

Organiser and registration: Miss C Sweet, 48B Rostrevor Road, London SW6 5AD

The Clinical Relevance of Signs of Adverse Neural Tissue Tension of the Upper Quadrant

Royal Liverpool Hospital

Principal speaker: Mr R L Elvey BAppSc GradDipManipTher

This course will review the pioneering work by Mr Elvey on studies of neural tension in the upper quadrant. The content will include biomechanics, dynamics, differential diagnostic testing techniques, treatment techniques and principles.

Organiser and registration: Mrs J E McCluskey, Superintendent Physiotherapist, St Helens Hospital, St Helens, Merseyside

August 6-7.

Neural Tension - A new approach

School of Physiotherapy, Bath

Principal speakers: David Butler MAPA MMTAA; Louis Gifford MCSP MMTAA

This course expands the Maitland concept to include a more detailed assessment and treatment of mechanical disorders of the nervous system. Emphasis on relevant anatomy, biomechanics and physiology of the nervous system will lead to a detailed practical analysis of assessment and treatment of the disorders which can arise. Some common vertebral and peripheral syndromes will be discussed in detail. A good working knowledge of the Maitland concept is essential for participants of the course.

Organiser and registration: South West Branch, Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, Susan Young, 32 Pinewood Close, Westbury on Trym, Bristol

July 24-26

HeartlLung and Liver Transplantation 4ugust 3 2ueens College, Cambridge

Wncipal speakers: Mr John Wallwork; Mr Neville Jamieson; Jill Dale MCSP

The course will give an opportunity to learn of the management and care of transplant patients.

3rganiser and registration: Association of Chartered Physiotherapists n Respiratory Care, Miss J Drain, Senior Physiotherapist, Papworth iospital, Papworth Everard, Cambridge

Orthopaedic Specialties

Institute of Orthopaedics, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry

Principal speaker: Professor Brian T O’Connor

Four-day course covering spinal injuries, paediatric orthopaedics, rheumatology, and orthopaedics and spinal disorders.

Organiser and registration: Mrs E Wilkinson, Symposium Secretary, Institute of Orthopaedics, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AG (tel 0691 655311)

July 23-26

Orthopaedic Medicine July 22-26 Cervical and thoracic spine, upper limb August 5-9 Lumbar spine, SI joint, lower limb University of Kent, Canterbury

Principal speakers: Fellows of the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine

This course will take place over two weeks and applicants may attend either or both parts. Each part is an intensive four-day course of lectures, demonstrations and practical sessions based on the work of Dr James Cyriax. Emphasis will be given to clinical examination and diagnosis, accurate deep massage and manipulation. There will be numerous practical sessions in small tutorial groups.

Organiser and registration: Mrs K M Kesson MCSP, Preston Lodge, The Mall, Faversham, Kent ME13 8JL.

physiotherapy, December 1990, vol76, no 12 767

Introductory Course on the Assessment and Treatment of Adult Hemiplegia/Adult Head Injury.

Three concurrent courses in Leeds, Belfast and Liverpool

Principal speakers: Alan Bass, Leeds; Sharon Williams, Liverpool; Carrie Spence, Belfast

These courses are open to candidates who have little or no experience in the application of the Bobath concept with the adult neurologically damaged.

Organiser and registration: Miss M Lynch MCSP, Congress Courses (Adult), The Bobath Centre, 5 Netherhall Gardens, London NW3 5RN.

July 22-23

Advanced Courses on the Assessment and Treatment of Adult Hemiplegia and Other Allied Neurological Conditions

Three courses in London, Dorking and either Exeter or Birmingham

Principal speakers: Joan Mohr, USA; Eli Panturin, Israel; Mary Lynch, GB; Sue Edwards, GB; Patty Shelley, GB, and others

This course is open to candidates who have successfully completed a basic Bobath course in adult hemiplegia. Evidence of certificate will be required on application.

Organiser and registration: Miss M Lynch MCSP, Congress Courses (Adult), Bobath Centre, 5 Netherhall Gardens, London NW3 5RN.

August 5-9

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The following three courses will be held consecutively at the Victoria Rooms, Bristol

Organiser and registration for all three: Mrs K P Tmkler, Physiotherapy Department, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8HW.

'Whose Hand Is It Anyway?' - The team approach August 6

Principal speakers: Mr 1 J Leslie FRCS; Mr W A Dixon FRCS The day course will include management of nerve lesions in the

upper limb and reconstruction of the severely injured limb with appraisal of the team approach to hand surgery.

Have the Hands Got It Right? August 7

or afternoon on the subject of splinting. This will take the form of a half-day workshop in either the morning

Rheumatology - 'Arthritis in the 1990s - Does research hold the key?' August 8

Principal speakers: Professor P A Dieppe BSc MD FRCP Dr J Kirwan BSc MD MRCP

There will be a medical and paramedical introduction to research methodology, with information about current research in the UK. The programme will include concurrent workshops on functional assessment, muscle strengthening, electrotherapy, and hydrotherapy.

Registration Regulations in Canada and Elsewhere During the first six months of 1990, well

over 100 UK physiotherapists contacted the CSP International Affairs Department seeking information about working in Canada. Many more will have replied directly to one of the many advertisements to appear in the Journal. Canada has a reputation among many CSP members as a friendly, rewarding and stimulating place to work.

However, recent proposals to change the registration regulations from 1993 may act as a deterrent to the recruitment of British physiotherapists.

The present registration requirement for a physiotherapist wishing to work in Canada is a licence for the province in which the therapist wishes to work. The means by which a licence is obtained are not at present uniform across Canada. Some provinces currently exempt graduates from certain

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists invites Paul Wagstaff's friends to contribute to a fund which will be used to establish the

Paul Wagstaff Commemorative Lecture

It is planned that this lecture will have an international dimension

and will be held annually in Ireland.

Contributions to the Paul Wagstaff Commemorative Fund may be posted to the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, Royal College of Surgeons, 84/85 Harcourt Street,

Dublin 2.

countries from sitting an examination; others require all applicants to pass an examination before they become licensed.

As in the United Kingdom, the licensing of physiotherapists is not undertaken by the professional body, the Canadian Physio- therapy Association (CPA). Each province has its own Physiotherapy Regulatory Board and the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulatory Boards (the Alliance) has recently announced major changes in its future licensing arrangements.

In 1993, a physiotherapy national examination (PNE) for all physiotherapists, both educated in Canada and abroad, seeking licensure will be implemented.

The structure of the examination will be in two parts: a written multiple-choice question test and a practical clinical examination. Successful completion of both parts of the examination will be a require- ment for registration to practise physio- therapytphysical therapy. However, as practice is a provincial matter, additional entry level requirements in each province may be demanded by the regulatory board in that province.

It is known that many physiotherapists are understandably reluctant to take further examinations to demonstrate their com- petence; indeed some members consider that the possession of a CSP validated diploma or degree should be sufficient evidence to satisfy any other professional association or registration board including those overseas. The International Affairs Department of the CSP has registered the wholehearted opposition of the Society to these proposed changes both with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and with the Alliance. It is in regular com-

munication with these two bodies and will continue to argue the case for mutual recognition of qualifications in the strongest possible manner. The introduction of these regulations has caused great dismay to members and officers of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. This was con- firmed at the recent Annual Congress of the CSP in Bournemouth when a motion was passed at the Representatives' Conference requiring the CSP to 'seek parity of qua- lification on an international basis and in particular with the Commonwealth countries' (Physiotherapy, November, page 711).

It is important to remember that the recognition of qualifications, not only in the UK and Canada, is not normally the responsibility of the professional organisation but that it is the task of the national registering authority. The Chartered Society has therefore no direct control over the actions of registering authorities in other countries but can only try to influence in a positive way any decisions which may be taken by those authorities and which may be seen to be against the interests of members of the CSP.

Members should be reassured that the Society, through its International Affairs Department, will continue to press for fair recognition of professional qualifications wherever this may be required.

ELIZABETH CONDIE MCSP Chairman International Affairs Committee

PAT ALLCHURCH BA MCSP International Affiirs Officer

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