ACPAT

ACPAT stands for the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy - it is the professional association for chartered veterinary physiotherapists in the UK.

The Association is a special interest group of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). ACPAT physiotherapists are qualified human physiotherapists who are members of the CSP and have practiced as human physiotherapists for a minimum of 2 years. When you work with an ACPAT physio you are working with a professional who has a minimum of 7 years of training. 

RAMP

RAMP stands for the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners. It is a voluntary regulatory body for veterinary physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors. Musculoskeletal practitioners registered with RAMP have committed to uphold the gold standard of clinical practice.

The gold standards stipulated by RAMP include:

  • Setting standards for education and training

  • Proof of professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance

  • Acceptance of, and adherence to, standards of practice that are equivalent to the level of practitioners in human therapy

  • Evidence based practice

  • Audited commitment to undertake continued professional development

  • Agreement to gain permission from the animal’s veterinary surgeon (required by the Veterinary Surgeons [Exemption] Order 2015) in the case of unwell/lame animals or to work autonomously in collaboration with the vet in the case of healthy animals that are treated for performance and maintenance.

The title of veterinary physiotherapist is not currently protected by law so anyone can use it to work with animals regardless of their level of training. RAMP protects the public by ensuring that its registrants uphold the highest standard of practice. It will investigate complaints made about any of its registrants should a member of the public or a vet have concerns about their practice.

 

CSP

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional association for physiotherapists in the UK. It acts as the trade union body and insurance provider for physiotherapists registered with it.

HCPC

The HCPC is the Health and Care Professions Council. It is the statutory regulatory body for 15 health and care professions in the UK, including physiotherapy. The title of physiotherapist is protected by law and only practitioners registered with the HCPC can legally use it.

The role of the HCPC is to protect the public by ensuring that they are treated by care professionals who uphold the highest standard of practice.

The HCPC:

  • Sets standards for education and training

  • Approves educational programmes that professionals must complete to be able to register with it

  • Keeps a register of professionals - registrants - who meet its standards and that can be searched by the public

  • Takes action if a registrant fails to meet its standards