Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: Easing the pain: rehabilitation, recovery and reducing health inequity (21 September 2022)

Summary

The gap in healthy life expectancy is being driven by the increasing numbers of people managing a long-term condition (LTC) and, increasingly more than one – known as multi-morbidity.

This situation affects a higher proportion of the population facing systemic discrimination and marginalisation, and those experiencing higher levels of deprivation.

This report from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy raises awareness of health inequities in rehabilitation and recovery services across the UK

Content

Report findings 

• Prevention campaigns are badly targeted and referral rates for those who do develop a health condition are inconsistent.
• At every stage marginalised communities face barriers to accessing high-quality recovery and rehabilitation services, including through societal discrimination, lack of cultural competence or communication barriers.
• A lack of consistent data is damaging the ability of health services to provide rehabilitation that meets needs.
• Without high-quality rehabilitation a patient experiences a downward spiral, and the prevalence of one LTC can often lead to multiple conditions.