More than 10,000 people attended a rally in Bern, Switzerland, to show their support for Swiss physiotherapists.
The rally, organised by physioswiss, took place on 17 November 2023 and marked the end of a consultation period for the Federal Council’s planned intervention in the tariff structure for physiotherapy services.
Mirjam Stauffer, physioswiss president, said: “More than 10,000 physiotherapists, patients and partners were on the Bundesplatz in Bern to show their support for physiotherapy in Switzerland and to show authorities the benefit of physiotherapy within the healthcare system. Physioswiss is overwhelmed of this very strong sign of support and we are convinced this sign can’t be ignored.”
Speakers at the rally included physiotherapists, student physiotherapists, patients, partner associations, and politicians.
In addition to the rally, a petition opposing the tariff cuts and signed by more than 283,000 people was presented to the Federal Chancellery in Bern. The petition calls on Federal Council to stop the tariff intervention, call on the health insurer associations to comply with the law, and work with physioswiss to find a solution that ensures the provision of care and introduces fair, modern tariffs that enable physiotherapists to make a living and support their families.
