Carlow and Kilkenny physiotherapists mark their profession’s international day

The HSE, across Carlow and Kilkenny, this week marked “World Physiotherapy Day”.

Also known as “World PT Day”, it is an occasion observed every year since 1951and was established as an opportunity to recognise the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and community and to promote their profession.

Physiotherapists were on hand to meet the public at four stands this week at the Carlow Primary Care Centre (Shamrock Plaza), the Thomastown Primary Care Centre, the Newpark Primary Care Centre in Kilkenny, St. Luke’s General Hospital for Carlow/Kilkenny and at St. Columba’s Hospital in Thomastown.

In addition to general information available at the stands, there were activities such as patients and staff having their grip strength tested and their sit-to-stand outcome measure tested. There was also advice given about falls prevention, bone health, exercises whilst ageing and recommended daily exercises.

“World PT Day” events in Carlow and Kilkenny were organised and co-ordinated by Anne Ging (Physiotherapist Manager in Charge), Sinead Gavin (Physiotherapy Manager), Community Healthcare Network Managers Mary Kinsella (Network 1), Lorna Hogan (Network 2) and Lynn Chadwick (Network 3), with Senior Physiotherapists from across the different departments, joined by HSE Health Promotion and Improvement Officer colleagues.

Speaking about “World PT Day”, Lynn Chadwick (HSE Community Healthcare Network Manager, Kilkenny North) said:

“Our HSE physiotherapy teams provide excellent care to the clients across counties Carlow and Kilkenny. Physiotherapy receives the highest rate of referrals across all the networks from GPs, Consultants and other health care professionals.”

“We were delighted, therefore, to participate in the 2025 World Physiotherapy Day and involve colleagues and the general public in this year’s World PT Day theme of ‘Healthy Ageing, Falls Prevention and Preventing Frailty’.”

“In Carlow and Kilkenny, it was a collaboration across services, such as the Integrated Care for Older Persons (ICPOP), older persons rehabilitation, disability and primary care and colleagues in the acute hospital sector. At St. Luke’s, it incorporated the Geriatric Emergency Medicine Service (GEMS) and Pathfinder – which is a HSE initiative by the National Ambulance Service that offers a rapid, multidisciplinary response to 999/112 calls from adults aged 65 and over, aiming to provide safe, home-based care as an alternative to unnecessary hospital Emergency Department attendances.”