Page 1676 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019

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Health—hydrotherapy services

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (10.50): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) hydrotherapy is an important health and rehabilitative treatment for those suffering injury, arthritis, chronic pain, sports injury and other health issues;

(b) hydrotherapy is proven to be able to save the public health system significant cost;

(d) the Government has no plans for a replacement pool in Canberra’s south, thus limiting the availability of suitable hydrotherapy facilities in the south;

(e) there is a high and growing demand for hydrotherapy treatment services;

(f) the hydrotherapy pool at the University of Canberra Public Hospital is unable to satisfy the demand for hydrotherapy treatment services other than for patients of the hospital; and

(g) there is an opportunity to include a hydrotherapy pool in the planning and design of the Stromlo Aquatic Centre; and

(2) calls on the ACT Government to:

(a) keep The Canberra Hospital’s hydrotherapy pool open and operational until a dedicated replacement, with appropriate specifications, and with relevant associated access, equipment and change facilities, is provided in Canberra’s south;

(b) begin planning for a new hydrotherapy pool as part of the Stromlo Aquatic Centre; and

(c) report to the Assembly on the status of the plans and design work for a Southside hydrotherapy pool, by the last sitting day in August 2019.

Madam Speaker, I am very proud to bring forward this motion today. I compliment my colleagues, particularly Mrs Jones for the work that she had done in this space with her constituents and Ms Lawder for the work that she has done in the ageing space as well. Hydrotherapy is an increasingly important element of healthcare with an ageing population.

We also need to remember that this is not just a matter for older people. It is a matter for people with all sorts of injuries. This morning I had an interesting discussion with Michael, the work experience boy. He said that fairly soon he will have knee surgery because of injuries and the like. He is in Year 12 and young. He had not understood the important of hydrotherapy until he came into the office this week when it has been the topic of conversation in our office. Because he is a bright boy he has very quickly

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