New ISCP president Catherine McLaughlin says unprecedented career opportunities are opening up

Catherine McLaughlin took up the reins as president of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) at November's annual general meeting. In her inaugural speech, she took stock of recent developments at the Dublin-based organisation and suggested that recent graduates will enjoy unparalleled career opportunities.

‘My vision for the next two years is to embed and build upon the extensive investment of the past number of years. Our ICT infrastructure and financial system have now been enhanced and the website has had a revamp. For people in early career stages, the advanced practice project means that the career opportunities over the next few years will be greater than they ever imagined.'

Mixed picture for members' online experiences

Ms McLaughlin said: ‘The Covid-19 era has meant that people have become used to working more independently. Some groups have flourished with moving online, and the opportunity has meant we can get much greater representation from people in every region.

‘In other cases, isolation or separation are recognised and groups are putting thought into what proportion of online to physical meeting keeps the greatest numbers connected.’

For people in early career stages, the (ISCP) advanced practice project means that the career opportunities over the next few years will be greater than they ever imagined [Catherine McLaughlin]

Workforce planning must improve

Calling for the Office for Health and Social Care Professionals to be re-instated in the Department of Health with a ‘stand-alone’ status, she said its main priority would be workforce planning.

Echoing concerns that have been widely voiced by physiotherapists in the UK, Catherine said that changes in structures in the primary care and disability sectors were ‘causing difficulties to our members in terms of supervision and support for learning’.

Noting that shortages in clinical placements had limited opportunities to expand class sizes in the higher education sector, she said. ‘Our private practitioners are actively engaged in the new models of facilitating clinical placement in private practice, with great collaboration from practice educators.’ 

Active ISCP members reap most benefits

The ISCP sought to attract as many members as possible and aimed to inspire them to engage, Ms McLoughlin stressed. ‘Membership is not a transaction, it is an interaction and the best personal benefits are to be gained through active membership. Many of the benefits of membership are difficult to count: they include a feeling of opportunity, a sense of support and replenished resilience, a sense of development and a sense of collegiality throughout the career span.'

A new membership engagement officer had been appointed in a bid to attract new and returning members, she added.

Career spells in Australia and UK

Catherine McLaughlin (née Toole) studied physiotherapy at Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 1998. After a stint at St Vincent’s University Hospital, she broadened her horizons by moving to Australia, where she worked at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital and in two small rural hospitals in New South Wales.

While engaged on an MSc course in Human Factors and Ergonomics at Loughborough University, she undertook a fieldwork project in a car component manufacturing plant in Coventry, before returning to home to St Vincent’s University Hospital. 

Ms McLaughlin went on to hold senior positions at the ISCP in pain management, rheumatology and musculoskeletal care, among others. She also worked part-time role in a private practice. At the society she was, for example, involved in the committees of the Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics, Professional Development Standing Committee and International Affairs Standing Committee.

She also completed three terms at International Affairs, holding the position of director of International Affairs for two years. 

For more information about the ISCP, visit: https://www.iscp.ie