World Physiotherapy and International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities (INPTRA) have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their partnership through collaboration on projects for mutual benefit.
The MoU extends the MoU signed by the two organisations in 2017 to share information in biannual meetings and coordinate efforts on activities of mutual interest.
In the MoU, INPTRA recognises World Physiotherapy as the sole international voice representing the global physiotherapy community, and World Physiotherapy recognises INPTRA as the leading international authority on excellence in physiotherapy regulation, ensuring safe and competent practice.
Emma Stokes, World Physiotherapy president, said: “The MOU with INPTRA is very important now more than ever with the changes that are occurring in practice and education of physiotherapists and in the wider health services. It will allow us to build on our collaborative endeavours and advantage, for example, the digital practice in physiotherapy white paper and the recent briefing paper on regulation in the context of entry-level education and the impact of COVID-19.”
William Hatherill, INPTRA board chair, said: “As the global health community confronts COVID-19, the MoU with World Physiotherapy highlights the partnership needed to address current and future challenges and opportunities. The extension of the MoU helps formalize the commitment to partner on matters of joint interest that will lead toward ensuring safe and competent practice.” The partnership between these two established organisations recognises that the:
- evolution of physiotherapy is dependent on having appropriate levels of professional regulation
- advancement of the physiotherapy profession should always be balanced against protection of the public
- greater understanding of best practice regulation will support the development of the physiotherapy profession internationally
- physiotherapy profession works in a globalised world and facilitating greater workforce mobility is a key to delivering better health outcomes.
