Physiotherapist Mark on the Health Impact of the Pool

Mark Shirley, Physiotherapist and Clinical Manager of Rata South, has been taking his patients to the Dunedin Physio Pool over the past 10-15 years. He estimates that they see about 2,000 to 3,000 people per year at the Pool, which Rata South uses as one of their key rehabilitation tools. They treat a range of patients ranging from complex neurological issues to minor strains.

He explains how it’s not just the physiological benefits but also the well-being or psychological effect that positively impacts on his patients by using the pool.

“Keeping people active is one of our core goals and from this perspective alone the Pool is a valuable health resource.”

Mark highlights the fact that it is well documented the therapeutic benefits of warm water relief – particularly to those suffering from arthritis.

In the video, Mark questions the cost of closing the Pool and explains how it’s not simply the cost of not running pool but rather the economic cost of not having this critical resource for our community. The closure could well be huge in terms of its impact on our health system.