UPDATE 30th January 2026: The ball is squarely in the Minister for Health area of responsibility.
I was told at an Allied Health physiotherapy appointment by a physiotherapist that they have a strict policy around patients having access to physiotherapy and hydrotherapy that is determined by the Northern Territory Government (that’s you Minister Edgington, Health is your portfolio, when are you going to address this culture of harm within NT Health?
We have reached out to the NT Minister for Health many times who is yet to respond.
Patients who gain access via surgery yet still require access to the pool are denied by Allied Health (as
at November 2025)
The minister stated on Mix 104.9 with Katie Woolf recently that access to the pool was available with a referral from their GP. This clearly is wrong based on NT Health Allied Health.
As an advocacy we will continue to push for answers for this important if not critical service that
supports senior Territorians.
This Hydrotherapy pool was originally promised to support Territorians with all the media attention it
deserved.
It is irresponsible to ignore this important function of NT Health
World Health Organisation defines elder abuse as:
“A single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.”
The benefits of warm water therapy for older
adults can include:
✓ Improved balance.
✓ Pain-free exercise and weight loss.
✓ Increased leg strength.
✓ Faster rehabilitation from various surgeries or injuries.
✓ Reduced joint pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia or other chronic pain issues.
✓ Increased motivation.
Hydrotherapy can be particularly effective for many conditions which have resulted in pain or loss of motion and strength as a large focus on quality of movements is placed.
These conditions may include the following:
✓ Elderly looking to improve overall level of mobility
✓ Lower back pain
✓ Knee pain
✓ Neurological conditions
✓ Parkinson disease
✓ Multiple Sclerosis
✓ Multiple Systems Atrophy
✓ Sporting injuries
✓ Osteoarthritis
✓ Acute ankle/knee sprains
✓ Post immobilisation due to fracture
✓ Muscle strain or tears
Hydrotherapy for the elderly offers significant physical and mental benefits by leveraging the unique properties of warm water to provide a safe, low-impact exercise environment.
Key Physical Benefits
❖ Reduced Stress on Joints: The natural buoyancy of water supports a large percentage of body weight, which lessens the impact and pressure on joints, muscles, and bones. This is especially beneficial for
individuals with conditions like arthritis or those recovering from joint replacement surgery.
❖ Pain Relief and Muscle Relaxation: Warm water (typically heated to 31-35 degrees Celsius) helps dilate blood vessels, increasing blood circulation and relaxing tense muscles. This reduces stiffness and releases endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers, offering much-needed relief from chronic pain.
❖ Improved Mobility, Strength, and Flexibility: The water’s resistance provides a gentle yet effective way to build muscle strength, improve endurance, and increase the range of motion in joints without the
injury risks associated with land-based exercises.
❖ Enhanced Balance and Fall Prevention: Performing movements in a supportive aquatic environment helps improve coordination, balance, and proprioception (the body’s awareness of its position in space). This enhanced stability can significantly reduce the risk of falls in older adults.
❖ Better Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health: Water exercise improves blood flow and can help lower blood pressure by assisting the heart in circulating blood more effectively. The hydrostatic pressure of the
water on the chest also helps strengthen respiratory muscles and can make breathing easier for those with conditions like asthma or COPD.
UPDATE 29th January 2026
We have been contacted by a number of seniors that have had doctors\specialists send a referral to NT Health Allied Health Physiotherapy who have not even had the courtesy to acknowledge and book sessions for them.
This is a serious concern and nothing short of elder abuse.
My RDH Surgeon submitted a referral to Allied Health Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy on 12th December 2025 because previous surgery on both knees as resulted in significant pain and reduced mobility – no response except from a physiotherapist that said “tough” – very unprofessional
12th February 2026 Complaint remains unanswered.
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