Petition to reopen hydrotherapy pool at Albany Health Campus cops almost 1000 signatures in first fortnight

A campaign to reopen the public hydrotherapy pool at Albany’s hospital has rapidly gathered steam as the community rallies behind the disabled and rehabilitation patients who need it for their wellbeing. Disability advocate Janet McArtney and Albany Arthritis Foundation president Veronica Hare reignited the push to reopen the Albany Health Campus pool, which has been closed since 2020, with a grassroots petition two weeks ago. It has since reached 1028 signatures. Ms Hare said that hundreds of people suffering from disabilities, injuries, arthritis, and in rehabilitation used the pool for the 40-odd years it was open. “We (the Albany Arthritis Foundation) had about 100 clients alone that used the pool in sessions each week, some twice a week” she said “They opened it briefly after COVID and only let us use it because we were making so much noise but then shut it down again. “I’ve been fighting every day to get it reopened since, as its the best tool we have for our patients.” Graham McKimm first stepped into the pool when recovering from knee surgery and continued to use it regularly after being diagnosed with arthritis. “The pool takes the weight off your joints and it’s the only thing that gives you any relief,” he said. “When they stopped, I had been going for five or six years at that point, and the pain came back straight away. “I think it’s an essential and a disgrace that we haven’t got one. “For a town this size, we should have one — we are one of the fastest-growing cities in the state and somehow places like Pinjarra have one but not us.” Tony Mills said his daughter Ashleigh, who has cerebral palsy, had used the pool from six months old and that he has noticed the atrophy of her muscles since its closure. “It takes about 70 per cent of her weight off her and it was the only time she can move really,” he said. “It was the best part of her life.” The hydrotherapy pool was opened in 1981 after the State Government chipped in to support the Lions Club and the Albany Arthritis Foundation who had fundraised $80,000 for its construction. It remained one of the only facilities kept intact when the AHC was rebuilt in 2013. The pool was first closed in 2020 due to COVID restrictions, and intermittently reopened to the public for short spells before being closed indefinitely again. A spokesperson for the WA Country Health Service which operates the hospital said the fate of the existing pool has yet to be determined, given the costs of the “extensive works” required before it can be reopened. “A decision regarding the future of the hydrotherapy pool site at Albany Health Campus will be made by WA Country Health Service at an appropriate time,” they said. “The viability of the pool has been assessed and extensive works would be required, with consideration also to be given to ongoing running and maintenance costs.” Heated pools are available at Bodycare Physiotherapy and Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre but are unsuitable for many users, due to inaccessible entry points, insufficient change rooms, overwhelming stimuli and, in the case of Bodycare, is often fully booked. A feasibility study completed by the City of Albany on ALAC’s future redevelopment indicated a hydrotherapy pool was the community’s third-most requested facility, closely following requests for a 50m indoor lap pool and a water playground. Albany mayor Greg Stocks said the city would consider the hydrotherapy pool but noted any redevelopment of ALAC “remains some years away” as additional planning and substantial funding were required. He said the responsibility of a hydrotherapy pool remains with the Department of Health. “The city is aware that the hydrotherapy pool at the Albany Health Campus has been closed,” he said. “It is the city’s view that the provision and operation of a dedicated hydrotherapy pool is the responsibility of the Department of Health, and we will continue to advocate for the repair and reopening of the hydrotherapy pool at Albany Health Campus.” Ms McArtney said the petition was her and Ms Hare’s idea of “upping the ante”. “We were waiting on the results of the feasibility study, which did give us some good ammunition in showing how much this is needed,” she said. “We’ve got that, we’ve got more than a thousand signatures on the petition and we’re going to chase the politicians. “It’s going to keep pushing until we get our pool back.” The campaign can be followed on the Facebook page Albany needs a hydro-therapy pool.