• National support and advice - The Physio First Executive Committee and General Secretary, who is a qualified lawyer, support members on all aspects of private practice including legal and business advice

• Regional support and advice - Physio First operates on a regional structure and there is a Regional Officer nearby who will help with local advice and information

• Support from the Administrative office - Physio First has a full time administration office with staff especially trained to support members

• Representation on standing committees of CSP - Professional Practice, Education, CPD Panel, Regulatory Board and many, many more including the HPC and Department of Health

• Representation at CSP''s Annual Representatives Conference and CI/OG Committee -  Physio First is the group recognised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy as representing self-employed members

• Representation with major private health insurers and intermediary companies - Physio First will keep members informed of changes affecting the market place in which members work.

Publications

• In Touch - Our prestigious quarterly Journal containing clinical, professional and business management items

• Update - Regular newsletters keeping members advised of developments and changes in business areas as well as regional news

• Patient Information Leaflets - A new series of branded leaflets, which also have space for members to add the details of their own practice, are being developed and more added each year. They are ideal for supplying to patients and to have on display in your waiting room

• CPD Portfolio - Available to all members from the Members'' area of the Physio First website.

Education and Training

• Annual Conference - A weekend of International and UK speakers with high clinical content aimed at increasing expertise and providing opportunities for informal learning and discussion

• Education Day - A specially designed programme of courses to meet private practitioner needs that immediately precedes Conference, often with business elements, to help you succeed in your practice

• Cutting Edge - A day course highlighting research and new approaches developed by UK physiotherapists

• Education Programme - Relevant courses are organised regionally and nationally; there are also specific courses on different business aspects of running practices they are an excellent way of obtaining useful information in an informal and friendly atmosphere. The programme continues to be developed and will see the launch of Physio First''s MSc in the near future

• Access to experts - amongst the Physio First membership are experts in most clinical fields.

Website www.physiofirst.org.uk

• Find a Physio - All Physio First practicing, current members can be listed on the Physio First website for large commercial organisations, purchasers of physiotherapy and members of the public to locate a local physiotherapist

• Members'' Area - This area contains up to date information on business and clinical issues, details of conferences, downloadable documents etc. Log in to the members'' area for up to date information of every topic

• Information - Entry of practice details, personal email address, email forwarding, web page design assistance etc.

• FAQ''s - A searchable bank of Frequently Asked Questions available for members 24/7

• Email alerts - Our means of flagging opportunities to you, warning you of threats and scams or advising of special events or offers

• Classifieds - Noticeboard for members''  use to advertise equipment, practice vacancies etc.

Corporate Benefits

• Benefits - All corporate benefits are accessed via Benefit drop-down lists in the members'' area of the website

• Practice insurance - Accessed through specialist insurance brokers Towergate

• Practice software - An important tool for most practitioners and we have special relationships with TM2 and PhysioTools

• Credit and debit card payments - Facilities to process these payments at special rates are available for members who are practice principals through Streamline

• Book Club - Our arrangement with Elsevier gives members a 15% discount on purchases

• Practice consumables - Strapping, supports, orthotics, and many others are available at special rates through Mobilis

• Self-Employed Associate Contract Service - designed with solicitors Coles Miller specifically for members who are practice principals wishing to take on self employed associates, this contract is available at a special rate

• Debt collection assistance - This service is available on line or through the Physio First office

• Advertising - Yellow Pages offer members the opportunity to advertise in a Physio First block advert at special rates, and through Yell.com. Thomsons also offer a Physio First block option

• Use of the Physio First logo - Corporate branding using the Physio First logo is available to Full Members. All Full members are eligible to use the Physio First logo promoting the Organisation and indicating membership of a national group of high quality professionals.

Oct2009