The APA has had some significant wins in our strategic plans but also some less than favourable decisions, which has presented us with opportunities to turn them into positive learnings for the profession.

With many states affected by COVID-19 restrictions early this year, there has been some confusing and inconsistent messaging from state governments.

The APA has worked extremely hard to reinforce our consistent messaging to the federal and state governments that we are essential to the health system, and we are key in preventing escalation of care to hospital admissions, DEM presentations, further medical intervention, prescribing of heavier medications and more imaging.

We have collaborated and gained the full support of both the RACGP and AMA (which we have never gained in the past), together with the federal chief allied health officer.

The APA has also been working hard to demonstrate physiotherapists’ value and worth within the health system by commissioning the Value of Physiotherapy in Australia report that has been sent to all influential funders, policy-makers, government officials, external stakeholders, members and consumers.

We have a strong communications plan to ensure this important piece of work does not just sit on the shelf.

The report will underpin our policy strategy for pre-budget submissions, electoral cycles, external engagement meetings, government communications, departmental reviews, consumer campaigns and of course you, the member.

I have started to engage with all our national groups, state branches, networks and entities and continue to be amazed at how engaged and passionate our members are for the betterment of the profession.

I formally thank all our engaged members for their tireless work and commitment to advance the strategic plan of the APA and to ensure the consumer has the information to Choose Physio when they require it.

You are continuing the enormous work done by past engaged members, to whom we all owe a great debt.

We have been busy arranging some external engagement meetings with politicians, primary health networks, funders, government officials and department heads, other allied health associations, our regulators, international physiotherapy associations, researchers, reform committees and health influencers.

We are positioning ourselves well to advocate for health system reform, collaborative funding models, pilots, integration of care, advancement of effective communication pathways and workforce sustainability.

I thank our new APA Board members Peter Tziavrangos and Holly Brasher, who have hit the ground running and have had an immediate impact.

The new governance structure of myself as president and Jenny Aiken as chair is working well and we are working strongly with our new vice presidents Rik Dawson and Mark Round, and with CEO Anja Nikolic.

Stay safe, keep up your passion for our profession, and continue to push for the consumer to Choose Physio.