This morning the UK political landscape sees some significant change.
During the five years since the last election, individual voters have had very little power to point the country in a given direction.
And then we have a General Election and a vote.
A vote is a choice. We choose and that simple act of making a choice can have far reaching implications for the future.
I am not here to comment on politics but a couple of lessons stand out for clinics:
1/ One minute you can be here and the next minute you can be gone (Liberal Democrats)
2/ One minute you are in the background, the next minute you have taken over a country (SNP)
I have been visiting clinics this past month. A common theme has been the concern that more and more clinics are entering the market.
With a swathe of new graduates entering the market each year, most will find it difficult to get jobs in established clinics. The new graduates will thus set up shop by themselves, rent a room somewhere and slowly build themselves up.
Some of these will have clearer purpose, ambition and charisma than others (SNP) and these are the clinics that pose the biggest threat to the old guard (Scottish Labour).
Of the others, whether new or old, those who dawdle along and don’t stand up for anything clear or just aren’t heard will find it difficult to be seen and will fade from view (Lib Dems).
I was not particularly interested in the political debate but what struck me was the frenetic activity of the last few months.
With an election coming up, suddenly I knew who the candidates were (lots of leaflets) and it seemed there was much greater clarity with some firm new promises to win voters. Activity and decision lead to change.
Today is no different from yesterday but in 5 years time, we may look back at some significant changes in the UK political/ economic landscape because of the choices made last night.
Here are my General Election takeaways for clinics:
* Decide what sort of clinic you want to have in 5 years time and start work on it now.
* If you do have a vision of a clinic, stay visible and make it clear to your public what you are offering.
* If what you offer is good, patients will give you their vote of confidence.
And remember if you aren’t building it, someone else is.
By Stephen Small
Director Steadfast Clinics & IDD Therapy Services Tel: 01279 602030 (Intl +44 1279 602030)
Steadfast Clinics supports a network of IDD Therapy Disc Clinics. To find out more about becoming a centre of excellence in conservative spinal care, get more information at www.iddtherapy.co.uk