Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions! This is a space for you to find answers to common questions we often receive from clients looking to see whether our services and facility is right for them. We hope this may help answer any questions you have regarding our services, and provide you with the right information to consider whether Newcastle Aquatic Physiotherapy is right for you.
This list is not exhaustive, and we are always looking to update this page to ensure you receive current, up-to-date information about Newcastle Aquatic Physiotherapy.
Our friendly reception staff are also available to answer any questions you may have about our facility that are not found here, and our experienced physiotherapists can also assist with any individual or specific questions about how physiotherapy may be appropriate for your injury or condition.
Does Medicare's "Enhanced Primary Care Plan" or "Chronic disease individual allied health services" cover casual or individual pool visits?
The simple answer is no. The EPC via Medicare which provides up to 5 subsidised allied-health service appointments, can only be used for our physiotherapy consultations. These consultations may be in the pool, but the EPC only supports 1:1 services. Casual/independent pool visits need to be paid for separately.
Do I need GP or specialist referral and/or clearance to see a physiotherapist?
The short answer is: it depends! You do not explicitly need a referral to see one of our physiotherapists, however you will need a referral if you are paying via Medicare, and for your GP or you to bring a copy of the EPC. If you are intending to use our hydrotherapy pool as part of your treatment, you will be asked to fill out our hydrotherapy screening checklist. If you are under a specialist for a specific health condition e.g. under the care of a Cardiologist for heart failure, or under the care of a Neurologist for epilepsy, we may ask for further clarification or medical clearance from your specialist to ensure that you have been cleared as medically safe to commence a hydrotherapy-based program. The properties of a hydrotherapy pool can create cardiovascular, central nervous system and other bodily system changes that while in most cases can be beneficial for clients, can negatively interact in clients with certain health conditions.
Can I use my "pool pass" for Aquacise?
Clients who have been assessed by one of our physiotherapists on-site and have been assessed as being safe to engage in independent hydrotherapy, can purchase a "pool pass" which entitles them to multiple pre-paid hydrotherapy pool visits. These pool passes can be used for individual use of our pool and can also be used for our group aqua classes, including Aquacise and Water Tai Chi. To use the pass for our group classes, there will be a gap to make up the difference. This gap is $2 for concession visitors, or $3 for all other payments.
I find it difficult to get changed - do I have to wear swimmers to the facility?
We encourage our clients to wear what they feel comfortable in, as long as it is clean to keep our pool in the best possible condition. Whilst our facility has changerooms available, we encourage clients to bring a dressing gown or a hooded towel to wear home so they can get dressed in their own environment where they are comfortable and have all the appropriate equipment if they prefer.
Do you provide hydrotherapy-based services for children?
Our hydrotherapy pool is available for children to use, however they need to be faecally continent i.e. toilet trained. Faecal incontinence is an exclusion criteria for our hydrotherapy pool. Urinary incontinence is not a contraindication to accessing our hydrotherapy pool, and our staff are able to provide options to assist in managing urinary continence to access our pool.
Once I have a physiotherapy-prescribed program, do I have to use your pool?
· No. If you have an alternative pool you can access, or prefer the ocean baths, our physiotherapists can have a couple of sessions with you in our pool, to assess your individual needs and capacity, and you will receive an individually tailored exercise program for you to be able to use in the pool of your choice.
·How warm is your pool?
It is 34 degrees. This gives the best hydrotherapy outcomes, which is why it is so warm. If you have any issues with heat or temperature regulation, we can just set you up with a program that you can use at an alternative, cooler venue.
I already see a Physio and/or have been given hydrotherapy exercises in the past, why do I need to see one at your facility?
Our facility is privately run, which means we are responsible for everyone accessing it. As written above, the heat and hydrostatic pressures of our hydrotherapy pool can cause significant physiological changes, depending on clients medical conditions. Our physiotherapists are specialists in how these changes occur and present, and are here to keep everyone safe. This is why we take a complete history before accessing our pool, and why we monitor closely during the first session (and ongoing if required) to ensure our clients health and well-being is maintained.
Why can’t my carer/support worker support me in the pool?
Our hydrotherapy pool is being used by our physiotherapists and their clients all day, and depending on the times, there may be 2 or 3 of our physiotherapists in there with their clients. As everyone is requiring enough space to do their exercises, we need to limit the amount of people accessing our pool independently. We therefore have decided that to maximise accessibility, only those doing the exercises are actually in the pool. Support staff are welcome to be beside the pool, supervising and directing. If you require assistance in the water, you will require a physiotherapist to be with you during your sessions.
I’ve been to this practice before, why do I need to see a Physio again?
As stated above, our hydrotherapy pool can cause significant physiological changes to the body, and our goal is to ensure everyone accessing our facility is safe. If it has been more than six months, or if you have had a hospital admission and/or significant change to your health or mobility status since you last attended our facility, you will require an assessment by our physiotherapists before accessing our pool again.
What access options do you have to get into the pool?
Our pool has stair access with 2 rails as the main entrance. For those that cannot use stairs we have a hoist chair. Our facility has a sling lifter and standing lifter onsite that can be used throughout the facility but unfortunately cannot be used in the bathrooms so this may need to be considered in your planning.
Do you just do hydrotherapy?
Our facility includes a pool, open plan treatment rooms and a rehabilitation gym inclusive of bobath beds. Our therapists are experienced and trained treat people both on land and in the water.
Our Zero Tolerance Policy
We have a zero tolerance to abusive, bullying behaviour at Newcastle Aquatic Physiotherapy. Our staff are here to assist and do their very best to facilitate an inclusive and supportive environment for our clients.
At no time it is acceptable to verbally abuse our staff, behave in a manner that is perceived as menacing or actively bully any person who is employed at this practice. This includes both Physiotherapy and Administration staff.
Any person who behaves in this manner will be excluded from our Practice. There will be no second chances as the safety and security of our staff and the facility as a whole, are our number one priority.