Staff shortage stops hydrotherapy treatment

Amy Edwards with her daughter Ruby Martin. Picture: Dione Davidson/The West Australian

Princess Margaret Hospitals hydrotherapy pool is expected to re-open later this week, according to the Health Department, amid fears children could miss out on vital therapy.

The pool has been closed while a staff member is on leave.

Acting director general of health Bryant Stokes denied the hydrotherapy supervisor position was affected by a recruitment freeze.

Unfortunately there has been a gap between the supervisor going on leave and an appropriately qualified staff member commencing in the position this week, he said.

The hydrotherapy pool was closed last Friday and I expect it to re-open this week.

On behalf of PMH, I apologise to those patients and their families who have been inconvenienced by this.

Lakelands mother Amy Edwards said today that she had been told by hospital staff that the pool where 12-month-old Ruby has weekly therapy to keep her muscles supple would be closed for the next six weeks.

Hospital staff had told Ms Edwards that an employee on leave was not being replaced because of the State Governments freeze on jobs.

Ms Edwards said it would hamper early intervention treatment for Ruby, who also has epilepsy and vision impairment.

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Staff shortage stops hydrotherapy treatment