All about RAMP!
In this blog I explain why I joined a voluntary professional register – RAMP: The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners.
RAMP brings together osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists that have attained a high level of academic and practical knowledge that is equivalent to the training required in these disciplines within human medicine. It is the first voluntary regulatory body for MSK professionals in the world!
All members of RAMP are equal regardless of which of the three disciplines they studied, which institution they studied at, which other professional bodies they belong to and crucially it makes no difference whether they studied humans first or have always specialised in treating animals.
As a multi-disciplinary register it is designed to help veterinary surgeons and owners choose competent professionals for the treatment of their animals. There are many good therapeutic courses available and I completed an excellent Level 4 in Equine Sports Massage some years before training to be a physiotherapist. However there are also many courses that are not accredited to any particular level of learning, can be completed without assessed hands on practice or even online.
RAMP has set a gold standard for education. Every member has obtained at least a Level 6 (BSc). I am now a Level 7 (MSc) trained practitioner. This means I have been accredited with at least:
1000 hours of clinically relevant hands on practice
2600 hours of Essential Knowledge, Theoretical and Clinical Understanding
RAMP members also provide:
Proof of Professional Indemnity Insurance
Proof of Public Liability Insurance - to make sure you are covered in case of accidents
Signed and audited undertaking for the minimum level of Continuing Professional Development
Signed acceptance of the Standards for Practice - to the equivalent level of practitioners in the human field.
Veterinary practices and RAMP members work closely together. Any condition outside the Practitioner's remit are quickly referred back to the Veterinary Surgeon. This allows early veterinary diagnosis and treatment of pathology, pain relief and collaboration on the ongoing care plan.
I care passionately that the RAMP professions develop so that practitioners are both established and respected as a vital part of the vet led team. So much in equine welfare and wellbeing is at stake if this does not happen and I believe that membership of RAMP provides a collective voice in these discussions. Council members attend many events such as the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress and the 31st National Equine Forum, (March 2023), the London Vet Show in Nov 2022 and are members of the National Equine Welfare Council. In October 2022 they attended the RCVS launch of the campaign to review the Veterinary Surgeons Act at the House of Lords.
At the London Vet Show, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) made the following endorsement after scrutinising RAMP.
“BEVA is happy to recommend the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) to its members. BEVA considers that RAMP registered musculoskeletal professionals have demonstrated sufficient education, experience, and voluntary regulation to provide confidence to UK equine vets when choosing an allied professional to work alongside to maintain and improve animal health and welfare"
I am delighted and proud to work with many veterinary practices across the locations I visit. It makes such a difference to have continuity of care from owner to therapist and vet and improves outcomes.
Hopefully this has explained why I believe RAMP membership is important to me and how it helps me help your animal. If there are any questions just drop me a line through the contact page on my website.
Comments