The Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) is shortly to call a vote of its current members to widen its membership categories in order to broaden access and strengthen the voice of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. The vote for change in membership signifies a potentially large change for the organisation and so it has consulted its membership over the past six months to determine if this is the direction the organisation wants to explore.
It recognises that training to become an MACP is one form of specialist post registration in the UK and so by broadening access through different categories it will lead to wider workforce of physiotherapists providing excellent care for people musculoskeletal conditions.
The MACP is a member organisation of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists which is a sub-group of World Confederation for Physical Therapy. IFOMT conducted a review of its international member organisations which included membership categories and benefits as they vary across the world. Membership categories vary considerably ranging from Fellows through to Affiliates. The MACP is seeking to align with other organisations at an international level to enhance its inclusivity, whilst maintaining the distinction that full members have achieved the level of advanced practice as recognised by IFOMPT.