SO, what do physiotherapists do? "He or she uses mainly physical means such as exercise, manipulative procedures, electrical modalities to treat pain, injury and disability," according to TCD's literature. "Physiotherapists also advise on prevention of injury at work and sport," notes Anne Ging, public relations officer for the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

New graduates usually begin in general hospitals, gaining experience in the different specialities. There are also opportunities in community care, private practice, with charitable organisations, in research, industry and education.

The trend is towards specialisation with physiotherapists working in a diversity of disciplines including outpatients, neurology, respiratory care, coronary care, orthopaedics, hand surgery, paediatrics, women's health, care of the elderly, sports and in the workplace.

There are about 1,200 chartered physiotherapists in these specialities in Ireland, according to Ging.

Unfortunately, the career structure is such that physiotherapists must go into administration if they wish to advance. Dr Mary Garrett, head of UCD's physiotherapy department, says that there is no recognition for senior physiotherapists who wish to stay in clinical practice. This has a serious impact on recruitment and retention of staff particularly as private practice can be very lucrative.