Based on public information about the original purpose of PRH hydrotherapy pool
NT Health CEO Chris Hosking on public radio
This week the NT Health CEO Chris Hosking was determined to keep the public hospital therapy pool closed to people that would benefit from its access, quite a bizarre response from a head of a public hospital to decide to deny treatments and therapy. He spoke to Katie Woolf on Mix 104.9 Darwin
His account on the original purpose is in conflict with its original promise made to people of the Northern Territory.
However, more importantly, as NT Health CEO, he is also denying those who have undergone surgery and procedures at our hospitals from accessing the purpose-built pool that continue to suffer pain post procedures.
This is an absolute disgrace under his management of our public hospitals, deciding who will be treated and who will be refused. I was told that denying access is a decision of NT Health by an Allied Health Physiotherapist, this appears to be very true.
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.
Hydrotherapy Pool at timestamp 13:29
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
Possible options for NT Patients that have been denied hydrotherapy treatment
For patients that have been denied access to the Palmerston Regional Hospital Hydrotherapy Pool by NT Health then one option maybe to investigate the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) to travel to a patient centric hospital in another state.
Discuss this option with your doctor – access to health should never be compromised by administrative decisions.
At the time of writing the NT Government website is down.
The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) is a government subsidy program that provides financial assistance to eligible residents of rural and remote areas in Australia who must travel long distances to access specialist medical services not available locally.
While the scheme exists in every state and territory, it is managed at the jurisdictional level, meaning specific eligibility rules and subsidy amounts vary by location.
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for PATS, you generally must:
- Be a permanent resident of the state or territory where you are applying.
- Live a minimum distance from the nearest approved specialist (typically 100km one-way, though this varies—e.g., 50km in QLD and 200km in NT).
- Have a valid referral from a GP or medical practitioner to the nearest eligible specialist.
- Be eligible for Medicare.
What is Covered?
Subsidies are intended to help with “out-of-pocket” expenses rather than covering the full cost of travel. Common benefits include:
- Fuel/Mileage: Reimbursement for private vehicle travel (e.g., 40c per km in WA from July 2025; 20c per km in NT).
- Public Transport: Full or partial reimbursement for economy-class bus, train, or air travel.
- Accommodation: A per-night subsidy for commercial or private stays (e.g., up to $110/night for commercial stays in WA).
- Escorts: Travel and accommodation support for an approved support person or carer, especially for children or patients with specific medical needs.
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