PETER DIXON ASSOCIATES

Chiropractic & Rehabilitation

Newsletter February 2013

As I sit and write this the sun is shining across the meadows in Batheaston, and it is difficult to imagine that they have been both covered in snow and totally flooded already this year. I hope that this year will not be so chaotic year weather wise, however things will not stand still; they rarely do. As reported in my last newsletter I finish my term as Chairman of the General Chiropractic Council this month. I have thoroughly enjoyed my term in office, and had some challenging and rewarding experiences. Things in the regulatory world are always challenging and I am conscious that my successor is taking over at a very interesting time with the Francis Report into the Mid-Staffordshire NHS just published. While Chiropractors are not directly involved in that Hospital, and are not routinely employed by the NHS, it will have implications for all of health regulation, and the GCC will have to play its part in those negotiations and their ramifications. The new Chair is not a Chiropractor but a very experienced civil servant and a lawyer so I am confident that she will be able to negotiate the journey very competently. I will not be entirely out of the loop however. Back in 1996 I was responsible for setting up The College of Chiropractors. The project started as a result of a chance encounter with a senior medic on the slopes in Switzerland. He was then President of the British Medical Association having been President of the Royal College of Surgeons, and I had just been elected as President of the British Chiropractic Association. He explained that the BMA acted as advocate for the Doctors and the medical Royal Colleges are responsible for the intellectual and postgraduate development of the profession, and are apolitical. His advice was that we should have a similar structure. With his help we set up the College of Chiropractors and 17 years later, in October of 2012, it was given a Royal Charter. That, in itself, has been quite a journey (and another story!)but the effect is that as a profession we are now on a similar footing to the rest of mainstream medicine and I hope we can build on that.
BATHEASTON CLINIC Tel: 01225 852371 BRADFORD ON AVON CLINIC Tel: 01225 862140 DEVIZES CLINIC 01380 729103

In January of this year the President of the College, who has been in post since its inception, has stepped down having achieved the Royal Charter and I was elected as the next President of the new Royal College so, while no longer involved in the policy-making role of the regulator, it will mean that I still know what is going on! It is a far less onerous position than that of the Chair of the regulator, with many less meetings in London, and less day-to-day involvement. I am looking forward to having more time in practice and being able to plan my time a little better. The nature of crisis management is that at short notice clinics have to be cancelled, and the continuity of patient care disrupted as a result. That should no longer be the case, and I am grateful to the tolerance that many of you have shown over the years. As for the practices, things are settling in very well. We have now been open in Bradford on Avon for 18 months, and the team are gelling nicely. We would like to make more use of the gym space so that is the thrust over the coming months and the Physios will be leading that. Elizabeth James joined the Chiropractic team just before Christmas and is working in both Batheaston and Bradford on Avon, and my son Joshua will be graduating so there is a lot to look forward to. We are currently revamping out website etc., so things will also look a little different in the near future and we are also now on Facebook and Twitter so becoming very modern; watch this space! All change for 2013. Peter Dixon DC FCC FBCA FEAC

Physiotherapy at Batheaston and Bradford on Avon

Was one of your New Years Resolutions to get fit this year? Have you got a niggling injury which is preventing you from exercising? Have you got a long term injury that just won't go away, or have you just had surgery and need to return to fitness? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then why don't you come and see one of the two physiotherapists who work at our Bradford on Avon and Batheaston practices. Clare Doyle and Mandy Drew have many years of experience in musculo-skeletal injuries and rehabilitation. Both Physiotherapists are members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Health Professions Council (HPC). Physiotherapists can treat back and neck pain, knee problems, shoulder pain, arthritis and joint problems, tennis/golfers elbow, repetitive strain injury, biomechanical problems, sports injuries, headaches, and are able to guide your postoperative rehabilitation. If your problem isnt on the list call us and see if we can help. Clare has a particular interest in Clinical Pilates and can give you the 1:1 attention you may need to get you started. Thereafter you could join one of the Pilates classes we offer at the Bradford on Avon practice. Mandy has a special interest in sports and knee injuries and can assist your rehab in one of our gyms. Clare and Mandy are both established members of the team and have worked closely with Peter Dixon for many years at other establishments; all the practitioners work closely together to give our patients the best available advice and care. We offer morning, afternoon or evening appointments on most days of the week and on special arrangement weekend appointments; we will do what we can to accommodate you. Booking an appointment is easy, just call either Batheaston or Bradford on Avon and speak to one of our excellent receptionists and find a time and day that suits you. For your first appointment, you will be asked about your injury or problem, assessed and treated and given any appropriate advice then rebooked for a further session if required. Clare and Mandy are registered with most major health insurance companies if you are able to make a claim for the cost of your treatment, or you can self-refer/ selfpay without having to be referred by a GP simply by calling the clinic to book an appointment. Why delay and suffer in silence. Come and see us and let us get you back to fitness. Mandy Drew MCSP Clare Doyle Grad Dip Phys MCSP