(Many thanks to Mark Shirley, NZRP, former OTPT Trustee, for some key points utilised in this summary.)
The Physio Pool is one of the largest warm water swimming pools in New Zealand and Dunedin’s only therapeutic swimming pool.
The key features are:
The benefits of warm water exercise are tremendous and have a profoundly positive impact on the quality of life for individuals of all abilities and ages.
The non-threatening and quiet environment is ideal for people with disabilities to pursue their rehabilitation and wellbeing. The changing facilities are located a few steps from the pool, making for very easy access, while the warm water temperature provides an opportunity to exercise without getting cold, a necessity for some of the pool users.
The Physio Pool was open to the public, prior to its closing:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 6:30 am – 9:30 am, and 11:00 am – 6:45 pm.
Tuesday & Thursday: 6:30 am – 6:45 pm.
Saturday & Sunday: 8 am – 11:45 am.
Hospital patient-only sessions were held between 9:30 am and 11:00 am under the instruction of a qualified HNZ Physiotherapist and Health Care Assistant.
It is a key Dunedin health and recreational facility, and an essential part of the rehabilitation facilities required in the Otago area.
Dunedin’s over-65-year-old population is projected to increase sharply over the next 20 years to 25% of our population: from 21,093 in 2018 to 34,637 in 2043 (Xyst Demographic Forecast, Feasibility Study of the Physio Pool 2024). With aging, we are more likely to experience mobility issues and chronic health complaints, which can be alleviated through exercise in warm water. (Feasibility Study, 2024)
With around 40,000 attendances per year (had been up to 80,000 prior to necessary public admission charges rising), over 90% of these users of the Physio Pool were over 65 years of age, and had a diagnosed injury or illness and often co-morbidities, including:
These users often preferred attending the Physio Pool rather than other facilities at other community pools due to a number of barriers for the disabled at the other pools, including:
This compares to the Physio Pool, which, being centrally located, is less than a 10-minute walk from Dunedin’s bus hub.
The Physio Pool is the only opportunity that these users have to exercise and meet the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of cardiovascular and resistance-based activity or exercise. It is therefore a key determinant of helping these individuals self-manage their conditions and prevent them from needing additional primary or secondary care.
Besides hospital patients attending during hospital-only sessions, private physio patients and individual attendees who rehab, exercise, swim or aqua-jog, there are user groups such as:
Conclusion
Passive heat therapy and upper-limb HIIT were both effective for lowering systolic and diastolic BP, acutely and chronically. Exercise is well-known to have this effect, and we have contributed evidence of the efficacy of a novel exercise mode. Additionally, heat therapy is emerging as a potent anti-hypertensive therapy, and herein, we demonstrate significant reductions in BP with a minimally arduous protocol (~90 min per week). The magnitude of this effect in the current study was similar to a 12-week course of many commonly prescribed anti-hypertensive pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the magnitude of BP reduction following acute hot-water immersion and upper-limb HIIT was associated with reductions in resting BP with repeated exposure across 12 weeks. Heat therapy and HIIT utilising the upper limbs may be appropriate treatments for individuals who are challenged by traditional exercise, such as osteoarthritis, or are resistant to pharmaceutical anti-hypertensive treatment.
John Bezett, a retired businessman and former chairman of the NZ Masters Games. As a 16-year-old injured rugby player, I had my first experience as a pool patient and have been a regular swimmer for many years, maintaining a level of fitness that has sustained me in Masters sports competitions. I witnessed the benefits of aquatic recreation and rehabilitation that this wonderful facility provided for patients from throughout our Southern Health region.
The University of Otago School of Physiotherapy is an internationally recognised physiotherapy teaching institution, so it is of genuine concern that our physiotherapy students are missing out on an important component of training. The rewards of hydrotherapy are well documented. Having arguably the best hydrotherapy pool in NZ available is a huge benefit. It enables individual users to manage their rehabilitation, have physiotherapy treatment as requested by specialists, and provides graduating physiotherapists with the highest level of training.
As a Dunedin City Councillor, I was Chairman of the Council committee overseeing the redevelopment of St Clair’s Hot Salt Water Pool. It was the most rewarding project I was associated with. I believe that by harnessing the strong community support, commitment and resolve, the upgrade of the Physio Pool will be similarly rewarding.
Barb is an Otago-trained Physiotherapist who, with her husband, Geoff Anderson, worked in Dunedin at their former practice, Caversham Physiotherapy, at Mercy Hospital with cardiac surgery patients, and then in Te Whatu Ora HNZ’s Community Team. She has witnessed the significant impact of our wonderful Physio Pool being unavailable to many patients and the community at large, and has been keen to assist in reinstating it for rehabilitation and community use. Up to 80,000 visits occurred annually in the past. The lack of this facility is also a massive loss for physiotherapy students.
Barb feels strongly that this beautiful purpose-built heritage pool, located next to the current Physio Outpatients Department in the Fraser Building and within close range of the new Dunedin Hospital, is a resource we must retain for rehabilitating the many patients whose injuries make land-based therapy challenging. In 2016, soon after her Pool Dance fundraiser raised almost $30,000 from generous attendees and raffles, she had a ski binding break, fracturing both legs. She then experienced firsthand the benefit of this warm 35 °C temperature pool to assist her in rebuilding flexibility and strength, while minimising her pain. Refurbishing this pool would be cost-effective, and patients need it!
Katrina Pōtiki Bryant (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) hails from Ōtepoti, Dunedin, with whakapapa links to Ōtākou and Maitapapa. Her passion for hydrotherapy and pools stems from her background as a competitive National Springboard diver, spending much of her youth in pools, training, competing, and coaching. This led to her pursuing a career in physiotherapy with a love of movement and biomechanics. Her first physiotherapy job was with the Vera Haywood clinic, working with children aged 0-2 and taking hydrotherapy classes in the Dunedin physiotherapy pool. She went to work as a physiotherapist in the USA and incorporated hydrotherapy within her physiotherapy practice in New York.
Katrina understands the value of hydrotherapy and is a huge advocate within the University of Otago School of Physiotherapy, where she has been employed for 16 years, and is currently a senior lecturer and Associate Dean Māori. She is extremely disappointed that the physiotherapy students have not had any clinical experience in hydrotherapy since the physiotherapy pool has been closed in Dunedin- this is a huge travesty and puts the Otago training behind other courses in the offerings for students, especially as this formed a large part of the origins of the profession.
Mum, family carer for 27 years to her two sons, who have both lived with very high and complex needs. An advocate for disability, accessibility and inclusion, especially those who are unable to speak for themselves. A former Mental Health Nurse and competitive swimmer, with a lifelong love of swimming.
Barb and her boys attended the Vera Hayward Child Development Centre Swimming Group, which ran out of the Otago Therapeutic pool, for 7 years. Then she went on to co-facilitate this Group for a further 10 years. She experienced firsthand what a wonderful therapeutic environment the Physio Pool was. A place where children can develop movement and water confidence skills while having fun and making lifelong friends.
Parents networking with other parents. Magic.
The benefits of having this therapeutic pool space, which everyone can access, no matter how great their needs, so close to the hospital, are a resource Dunedin simply cannot afford to lose.
I’m proud to be part of the effort to reinstate the Dunedin Physiotherapy Pool, an important community asset with a long history of supporting health, recovery, and wellbeing in our city.
As a long-time Dunedin resident, I’ve spent many years restoring and repurposing some of the city’s heritage buildings. My projects include the Standard Building on Princes Street and Bracken Court on Moray Place. My approach has always been to combine practical, modern use with a deep respect for the character and craftsmanship of our built heritage.
The Physiotherapy Pool is a unique, purpose-built facility that reflects both Dunedin’s architectural legacy and its long-standing commitment to public health. I am well aware of the vital role it has played in our community for decades, and I’m committed to helping ensure its return to full operation.
Over the years, I’ve been a vocal advocate for preserving Dunedin’s historic buildings and streetscapes. I believe our heritage is a defining part of the city’s identity—and that with thoughtful planning and investment, these assets can continue to serve and inspire future generations.
Whether through restoration work or my role on the pool board, my goal is to ensure that Dunedin’s history is not only preserved but also adapted and revitalised to remain relevant and valuable in the years ahead.
The use of warm water to treat medical conditions. The water temperature is usually 33 – 36 degrees Celsius, which is warmer than normal swimming pools. Hydrotherapy is a recognised physical and mental health treatment. The water pressure and movement act as a form of physiotherapy for body and joint pain.
It can help alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, cerebral palsy, and recovery from accidents and sporting injuries. They have accessibility features such as wheelchair access, hoists and a slowly increasing depth. Changing rooms are also accessible.
Patients with weak and painful joints and muscles tend to find exercise and movement in the warm water much easier and less painful than land-based exercise. This is because water supports the body and the force of gravity is reduced. The warm water has a relaxing effect.
The heating system suffered a mechanical failure in May 2021. The Trust intend to replace this part and make the pool fully functional again.
The Trust need to obtain a lease for over 10 years from Healthcare New Zealand, so that the Trust can commence fundraising efforts to reopen the pool.
You can email us directly:John Bezett: johnbezett@gmail.comBarb Anderson: barb.gaba18@gmail.comTed Daniels: ted@teddaniels.nzKatrina Pōtiki Bryant: katrina.bryant@otago.ac.nzBarb Gee: barbs500c@gmail.com
or via the Physio Pool email at dunedinphysiopool@gmail.com
or visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DunedinPhysioPool/