The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on parents to speak up about their ‘not-so-positive’ birth experiences during this year’s Birth Trauma Awareness Week.

Birth is not always the joyful and empowering experience seen in the media, and the ongoing impact of a traumatic birth can be devastating for some parents.

APA Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Group National Chair Jason Crow says that it’s a two-fold trauma for many who have a negative experience with birth.

Inconsistent lockdown restrictions on essential health services applied by the Western Australian (WA) Government shows an urgent need for a national approach to ensure all Australians have access to vital health services during the ongoing pandemic.

Following their previous lockdown, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) wrote to the WA Government alerting them to the impact on patients’ health care during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The APA called on the WA Government to allow face to face physiotherapy care for patients with critical need.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes the $123 million investment in rural health workforce and training under the Stronger Rural Health Strategy. This investment delivers a strong package for the rural health workforce and health services to tackle health disparities and strengthen access for rural and remote communities.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has made a submission to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, calling for investment in expanding multidisciplinary mental health teams which offer diverse skills and expertise, and for the recognition of the critical role physiotherapists play in mental health.

APA Mental Health Group National Chair Ellen Lake, APAM, knows these types of multidisciplinary models deliver higher quality healthcare and better outcome measures.

A landmark report released by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) provides irrefutable evidence of the cost effectiveness and enhanced quality of life delivered by physiotherapy interventions.

The Value of Physiotherapy report launched today by Olympic athlete Jessica Trengove, delivers a comprehensive, independent analysis undertaken by the NOUS Group that demonstrates the economic benefits that physiotherapy provides to patients and the Australian healthcare system.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) are calling on state and territory governments to ensure the ongoing health response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes access to essential health care services.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has used its 2021-2022 pre-budget submission to urge the federal government to fund team-based, integrated care to ensure Australians get the most appropriate and effective care.

APA National President Scott Willis said it is vital that physiotherapy is included in funding in the primary care setting to support our post COVID recovery.

“The COVID crisis clearly demonstrated the need for more connected healthcare options and this opens a new policy window to reshape our health system,” Mr Willis said.