The statistics were revealed following FOI requests by The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Ash James, director of practice and development at the CSP, said: ‘It is deeply concerning that physiotherapy teams are significantly less likely than their nursing colleagues to have access to maternity cover funding. 

‘This is happening against a backdrop of recruitment freezes, disappearing posts and growing demand for care. It is yet another example of physiotherapy services being stretched beyond their capacity. 

‘Trusts must ensure maternity cover arrangements are available fairly across clinical professions, while the Government must urgently lift recruitment freezes and invest in the physiotherapy workforce.'

The CSP's latest workforce survey found 68% of NHS physiotherapy staff reported recruitment freezes within their services, while 79% cent were concerned that staffing levels were insufficient to meet patient demand.

Regional breakdown

Region	Percentage of trusts who have a budget for maternity cover or a policy for allowing overspend to pay for maternity cover	Percentage of trusts who have budget  or allow for overspend to pay for maternity cover - and have this accessible for nursing staff	Percentage of trusts who have budget  or allow for overspend to pay for maternity cover - and have this accessible for physiotherapy staff
East Midlands	33%	100%	50%
East of England	58%	100%	18%
London	46%	82%	100%
North East	71%	100%	60%
North West	59%	100%	94%
South Central	60%	70%	50%
South East Coast	63%	90%	70%
South West	50%	86%	71%
West Midlands	67%	88%	75%
Yorkshire	71%	80%	100%