Personal Experiences: Physiotherapy in the UK
By ALYSSA CLARKSON
 My
decision to work overseas was similar to that of many young
professionals - it was time to experience life, travel and
search out family origins.
What better way to travel than to work and experience the
lifestyle of another country and be paid at the same time!
I had a year's experience as Physiotherapist from a sole
therapist position in country Australia, and felt ready for
a new challenge.
My first was in organising my passport, visa and completing
the huge list of requirements for the CPSM Registration. Although
a bit daunting at first, the process all slowly fell into
place, with the assistance of the staff at BMG Associates.
After arriving in the UK I travelled for two months before
commencing my first position in a Mental Health Hospital in
Kent. My e-mail message from the Locum Group, BMG Associates
agent in the UK, said that it would be a challenging but interesting
position. That certainly stimulated my curiosity!
 A
"challenge" was probably an understatement, with a specialist
area not many Physiotherapists are exposed to throughout their
careers.
The job involved working on my own with assistance from the
Physiotherapy Manager and included independent management
(inpatient and outpatient) of four specialty areas; development
of group and individual programs for clients; provision of
lectures, pamphlets and in-services to promote the role of
Physiotherapy in mental health; weekly sessions with community
patients and servicing a community health program; and supervision,
instruction and induction of a fourth-year Physiotherapy student.
I developed a "Moving and Grooving" class, apparently still
in operation, designed to develop Physiotherapy recognition
within the Mental Health team and to act as an avenue for
referrals.
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