What's the Goss! CSP and OCPPP continue to avoid discussing the real issue in the UK - BUPA!

At a time where NHS jobs in the UK are starting to materialise where are the jobs in the private sector? BUPA continues to stick to their policy of not permitting any graduate with less than 5 years post graduate experience from getting BUPA recognition. I have asked them for a policy on why this is so and they have failed to provide one. It is based on a simple number of 5 and has nothing to do with experience. When questioned why someone who has been back packing the world for three years and has done 2 year of locum work would be recognised over someone who has been working under mentorship for 4 years, they had no answer. They said the number was 5, they gave no reason, but the kindly offered to take me off their list if I wished!

It bewilders me that as a private practitioner an insurance company can tell me who I can and cannot employ to treat their patients. This is nothing short of unlawful a it contravenes the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations Act that came into for on October 1st 2006. These regulations clearly state, "Avoid asking for ‘x’ years experience'. The quality and relevance of the experience should be important - not the number of years."

The reality is that as physiotherapists working in an NHS environment, many will work in that structure for 2-3 years after which a good percentage may choose to move into private practice. The key here that no one is mentioning that private practitioners are not hiring anyone with less than 5 years and even then only those already with BUPA recognition. This means physios with less than 5-6 years in the NHS have no jobs to go to and any that do move are more senior.

No one out, means no one in. No matter what the NHS does, this trade restriction by the likes of BUPA will mean this situation will never change. I have written to the CSP and the OCPPP on this issue. I have provided then a copy of the regulations and how they also might have an influence on the tactics of other companies such as PPP. Despite repeated attempts I have had no response. Please offer your comments on the forum...

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