Filenews 30 May 2023 - by Marilena Panayi
The physiotherapists of the GHS finally implement their warnings and go on a work stoppage next week. Their disagreements with the Health Insurance Organisation related to both the amount of the budget for physiotherapy and the way the needs of the beneficiaries of the system are calculated, as it is found, have not been eliminated and yesterday the Pancyprian Association of Physiotherapists (PSF) made the relevant announcements.
"After the lack of response on the part of the HIO and its non-substantial intervention on behalf of the Ministry of Health," the physiotherapists say, the association "is forced to take measures it does not want." As such, it "announces a 4-hour work stoppage on Thursday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m." The PSF adds in its announcement that "if our issue does not take the path of resolution", an "all-day work stoppage will follow on Thursday, June 15.
The HIO, for its part, sent a new letter yesterday to the Association of Physiotherapists, informing them, among other things, that it intends to implement measures to address the abuses observed in physiotherapy. "I wish to inform you that the Management Board of the Agency has considered your request for a further increase in your budget.
As things stand today and given the refusal of the PSF to set a meeting for consultation on the pending issues, the Organization cannot proceed with the submission of any revised financial proposal," the HIO Deputy Director-General said in his letter, adding that "the Organization will proceed within June with the implementation of measures aimed at addressing the phenomenon of abuse. These measures include the removal from the lists of "unclear diagnoses", the reduction of the maximum number of units per physiotherapist per month and the implementation of a restriction on referral to physiotherapy services by orthopaedics.
