Background
NT Health control access to the Palmerston Regional Hospital Hydrotherapy pool, access is very restricted despite its original promise to Territorians, If you have a procedure at Royal Darwin or Palmerston hospitals then you may be granted strictly 6 weeks of 2 sessions per week at the pool for recovery regardless of successful recovery.
If you still require hydrotherapy (even with a medical doctor’s new referral), Allied health will refuse access to the hydrotherapy pool.
NT Health will direct patients that are still in recovery to a local swimming pool.
Public swimming pools are not a substitute for hydrotherapy
I have researched the public pools that the Hospital directs patients to.
While some public pools are heated others are not and some may have ramps for accessible access, they are not designed to be a hydrotherapy pool and there are vital elements missing.
While public swimming pools have accepted patients to continue their recovery, most drop out because they introduce some risk that is not present at dedicated purpose-built hydrotherapy facilities.
Public swimming pools are often busy with children and other members of the public, no allied health assistance and a hoist that is not appropriate for all disabilities.
There are far more opportunities to injure and no assistance by professionals.
It is a ridiculous proposition for any trained physiotherapist or hospital that is patient centric to even suggest public swimming pools are suitable for the wide range of patient therapies, post-surgery and permanent disabilities or age-related issues.
Unlike every other state in Australia, we do not have the numerous hydrotherapy pools or services to care for people.
The NT Government established the hydrotherapy pool to address the health issues that they are denying.
Older people have higher risk of sunburn
Compare time centric NT Health with Patient outcome centric NSW Health
NT Health hydrotherapy sessions are limited to 6 weeks post procedure, two sessions per week, however if you have a specialist appointment that conflicts with a hydrotherapy session, then you lose those sessions. Hydrotherapy is not patient centric in the NT Health system.
Compared with New South Wales, you are entitled to 8 weeks and 2 sessions per week to assist with recovery 4 weeks guided by a qualified physiotherapist, if you require additional sessions then you can get an additional 4 weeks of 2 sessions per week that is semi-supervised by an Allied Health Assistant. NSW is patient outcome centric.
NT Health fails patients with a strict time frame and you’re out policy, doesn’t follow best practice for physiotherapy. Patients often left in pain or reduced mobility and far longer recovery.
Up to 12 weeks\24 sessions to aid with recovery in New South Wales.
Only 6 weeks minus 2 to 4 sessions or ( only 10 or 8 sessions) due to specialist appointments in the Northern Territory.
Patients are better off with best recovery chances in New South Wales than Territorians.
Royal Perth Hospital's Royal Shenton Park Hydrotherapy Pool
“Hydrotherapy pool to help patients on the road to recovery” WA governments pledge to West Australians
Approximately 260 patients use this pool for physiotherapy hydrotherapy sessions each week at Royal Perth Hospital’s Shenton Park.
South Australian Government Repat Health Precinct
South Australian Health understand the importance of Hydrotherapy for rehabilitation and older people.
Repat Health Precinct Hydrotherapy Pool can be utilised by Repat Health Precinct patients and through the Community Pool Access Program.
Community Pool Access Program can be accessed via your GP. $5 per visit
It appears that Northern Territory Health is the only Australian jurisdiction that is actively turning people away from hydrotherapy.
Benefits of hydrotherapy for older people
- Pain Relief and Reduced Joint Strain: Warm water reduces inflammation, relieves pain from arthritis or chronic conditions, and eases movement. The buoyancy supports body weight, taking pressure off joints, allowing for easier, pain-free movement.
- Improved Mobility and Balance: Hydrotherapy increases range of motion, allowing stiff joints to move more freely. The water’s resistance enhances strength, while the supportive environment builds stability and confidence, reducing the fear of falling.
- Strengthening and Cardiovascular Health: The viscosity of the water provides natural resistance for safe, effective, and efficient muscle strengthening without using heavy weights. It also helps improve circulation and cardiopulmonary function.
- Improved Well-being: The relaxing, warm environment helps improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost energy.
- Faster Rehabilitation: It allows seniors to start rehabilitation earlier after surgeries or injuries, improving recovery speeds
NT Health Allied Health:- Are you really professional physiotherapists?
It is not only concerning that physiotherapists at Allied Health are suggesting patients go to a public swimming pool but absolutely ridiculous that they ignore risks of doing so and completely ignoring that public swimming pools are not designed to provide equipment or staff for patients.
How can the NT Health CEO or the minister for health be serious? Compromising Territorians health, why?
NT Health, you can't be serious!
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