Madam, - In reply to Sinead Cobbe (December 5th), I wish to make the following points:
1. The Irish Association of Physical Therapists has been in existence since 1991. Our qualification is a "Diploma in Physical Therapy" awarded by the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science which has been designed specifically for mature students and is delivered as a competency based programme.
2. We are a growing professional body with an independent complaints procedure, a code of ethics and a mandatory continuous professional development requirement.
3. In their Golden Pages advertisement the Physiotherapists describe themselves as Chartered Physiotherapists and have not used the title "Physical Therapy" or "Physical Therapist" to describe themselves.
4. The members of the IAPT have never attempted to be nor do they wish to be, associated with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
5. While our client base does overlap in private practice, we believe the public should have the freedom of choice as to which profession they attend.
6. Whereas there may be some confusion initially between the title Chartered Physiotherapist and Physical Therapist, it is the experience of our members that clients report no confusion, having undergone treatment. After all it is a human science and applied science.
7. We wish the Chartered Physiotherapists well in their quest for State regulation but would suggest that they do not use State regulation to acquire the title "Physical Therapy". - Yours, etc.,
DENIS GLEESON,
Chairman IAPT,
Priory Hall,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.