Leary joins calls for State Government to release feasibility study deciding Albany hydrotherapy pool’s future

Pressure is rising to decide on the future of Albany’s hydrotherapy pool as the Albany MLA joins community advocates calling for the State Government to release the results of a feasibility study. Scott Leary called on the WA Country Health Service and Minister for Health Infrastructure John Carey on Thursday to divulge the future of the pool, which has been closed to the public for the best part of five years. “For many years the Albany Health Campus hydrotherapy pool played a vital role in rehabilitation and treatment for people living with disability, injury and chronic illness,” he said. “Its closure has left a significant gap in essential healthcare services for the Albany community, particularly for those who rely on hydrotherapy as part of their recovery and long-term health management.” He said results of the independent feasibility study conducted by WACHS in September regarding the pool’s future should be released “without further delay”. “WA Country Health Service has now completed an independent feasibility study into the future of the hydrotherapy pool, including community engagement, of which I was a part,” Mr Leary said. “Public money has been spent on this process and the community has contributed their time, lived experience and expertise. “It is now entirely reasonable for Albany to expect the results and recommendations to be released without further delay.” President of the Albany Arthritis Foundation Veronica Hare has been championing the cause to get the hydrotherapy pool back up and running since its closure, saying she used to take more than 100 patients to use the pool when it was in use. She said she had been eagerly awaiting the results of the feasibility study for more than four months. “I was pleased (Scott Leary) asked that as he has more clout but we’re just waiting to see what response he gets now,” she said, “We think that, if they’re considering reopening it, they are probably trying to figure out where the money comes from to run it. “They certainly can’t say there’s no money because the Arthritis Foundation in Perth said they would help.” Ms Hare said she was consulted for the studyand asked what was required of the pool. “We just told them that we want it open again, repaired, and reopened, nothing special,” she said. “They spent a lot of money doing it up before they closed it and, as far as I know, its only a problem with leaks and a chlorine pump. “I explained that we had 100 clients that were using that pool per week, many multiple times. “We need it desperately, and we made that quite clear.” A spokesperson for Albany Health Campus confirmed the feasibility study had been undertaken and included consultation from the local community. “Stakeholder feedback has been taken into account to inform a number of proposed options which are currently being considered,” the spokesperson said. “Once a decision has been finalised, an outcome will be provided to relevant stakeholders.” A WACHS spokesperson previously said that “extensive works would be required” to reopen the pool at AHC, with and that consideration would also have to be given to ongoing running and maintenance costs. Ms Hare said she would be “waiting with bated breath” for the results of the study to see what recommendations and solutions were on the table. “We’ll start the ball rolling again if we need to, if we don’t get a good response,” she said. “This is a public health service that we need.” Mr Carey has been contacted for comment.