Physiotherapists know the impact their work has on recovery, independence and quality of life. Until now, there has never been a UK-wide economic analysis to quantify that value in a way decision-makers can use. The Return On Investment for Physiotherapy in the UK report is available from the CSP library and answers that gap. See our member’s guide to the research, called Adding Value, Changing Lives, for a short, easy to read summary of the findings and how to use them.
It demonstrates, using Treasury-approved modelling, how physiotherapy generates measurable savings for the NHS and wider benefits for society. Alongside the report, the CSP has used the findings to create a Value Calculator. Input the number of patients you treat a year and the Value Calculator will tell you how much you save the NHS, and boost the economy.
The first phase of the research produced national ROI estimates for four interventions:
- hip osteoarthritis
- knee osteoarthritis
- pulmonary rehabilitation
- falls and frailty
Using net values, the analysis shows an overall return of £4 for every £1 invested, including £145 million in annual net savings to the NHS, and £1.88 billion in net yearly total benefits to the UK.
The full report sets out all phases of the research and you can hear Economics By Design researchers explaining the methodology and how to use the value calculator in the recording of our member webinar.
Below is a guide to how members can use the evidence in local business cases and service planning.
Developing a strong business case for your physiotherapy services depends on demonstrating clinical, financial and social impact in terms of the outcomes delivered for services and patients. The report provides robust national evidence to underpin that case.
Local business cases can build on these national averages with local data, context and implementation detail.
This section shows how each part of your business case can be strengthened using the report evidence and results from the CSP Value Calculator, drawing on our guidance on building a business case.
Executive summary
In this first section of your business case, give a short overview of the proposal, the problem it addresses and why change is needed. Briefly introduce the physiotherapy service and its relevance to local priorities and patient needs.
Use national ROI figures to give an immediate evidence statement – for example, independent analysis in Return on Investment for Physiotherapy in the UK (Economics By Design, 2025) shows physiotherapy returns nearly £4 for every £1 invested.
Indicate how this national evidence will be supplemented with local data. If relevant, model any of the four interventions using the CSP Value Calculator to show local health system benefit, wider benefit, patient health benefit, and total and net benefit per patient.
Conclude with a summary of investment requirements, anticipated payback (3–5 years) and expected outcomes.
Strategic case
Demonstrate alignment with national and local priorities, including shifts to prevention and community-based care and population health goals.
Referencing the Treasury-aligned CSP ROI study shows consistency with recognised value-assessment methods.
Set out the evidence base: current service gaps, rationale for change, expected impact, links to national and local strategies and anticipated contribution to reducing inequalities.
Position the service within a system-wide approach, and if possible, link this to a quality improvement model to show continuous development.
Patient story
Use a patient story to illustrate real-world benefit and bring the evidence case to life.
Commercial and service delivery case
Describe how the service will operate and integrate with existing provision. Summarise the service model, workforce requirements, partnership or procurement needs, infrastructure and equipment.
Set out key delivery risks and mitigations. Reference the ROI evidence that supports early intervention or integrated pathways.
Financial case
Translate benefits and costs into an investment argument. Include capital and revenue requirements, funding sources, phased investment, projected returns and expected payback (3–5 years).
Present CSP Value Calculator outputs – total benefits and net benefit per patient – alongside qualitative operational gains such as improved flow, reduced waits and earlier discharge.
Management and implementation case
Demonstrate deliverability. Provide governance arrangements, named leads, an implementation timeline, milestones and a benefits-realisation plan.
Use the ROI study’s metrics (health system benefit, wider benefit, QALYs) as the basis for monitoring. Summarise evaluation, reporting and risk management arrangements.
Appendices
Include local demand data, letters of support, risk and benefit registers and data sources, including the ROI report citation.
The value calculator is an interactive online tool that helps you demonstrate the economic and health impact of physiotherapy services. It uses Treasury-approved methods to show the value generated for every pound invested in physiotherapy.
Adding Value, Changing Lives is a practical member guide to the Return on Investment for Physiotherapy in the UK research, designed to help physiotherapists use the findings to strengthen local business cases and influence decision-makers.