PRH hydrotherapy pool ready for rehabilitation patients

The TerritoryGovernment has delivered another health infrastructure project to helpTerritorians live healthier and longer lives, with the completion of the hydrotherapypool at the Palmerston Regional Hospital (PRH).

The $3.1million hydrotherapy pool will be available for PRHinpatients and rehabilitation outpatients, who would previously have had totravel to the Darwin Private Hospital for aquatic physiotherapy.

Thehydrotherapy pool will be used to carry out aquatic physiotherapy to assistwith the rehabilitation of neurological and musculoskeletal injuries.

Patients with neurologicalimpairments such as stroke, head injury or cerebral palsy and degenerativeneurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons disease willbenefit from use of hydrotherapy.

Patients with multiplefractures or post-operative joint replacements will benefit from rehabilitationin a weightless environment.

Hydrotherapy assistspatients with pain relief, increases mobility in joints, provides vitalexercise to paralysed muscles, reduces muscle spasms, increases and improvescirculation and improves balance and coordination.

Thehydrotherapy pool is situated close to the PRH rehabilitation ward for ease ofaccess.

Thepurpose built rehabilitation facility provides 24 beds with outdoorcourtyards, rehabilitation spaces and a gym.

As noted by Minister for Health, NatashaFyles:

TheTerritory Government created 20 jobs through a project which will helpTerritorians have better access to high quality rehabilitative care.

The newfacility will improve quality of life for patients and practitioners to bettercare for and treat Territorians with injury and illness that affects mobilityand coordination.

Hydrotherapy enables anearlier start to regaining muscle strength, assists in pain relief and shortensrecuperative times.

As noted by Member for Drysdale, EvaLawler:

OurGovernment is investing in Palmerstons future and this hydrotherapy pool willbring a whole new level of service and patient care to the rehabilitationfacility at Palmerston Hospital.

We arelistening to our community and delivering services and amenities that matter,are closer and easier for locals to access.

As noted by Member for Brennan, TonySievers:

As someone who has enjoyed an active life, the importanceof physical activity cant be understated. People with injury and illness nowhave the opportunity to regain movement and strength and experience less painby using the new hydrotherapy pool.

To have such acontemporary facility in Palmerston will make access to care for improving thequality of life so much easier for a major population centre.

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