Physio classes in doubt

Confusion remains over whether physiotherapy classes, which help rehabilitate those recovering from illness or injury, will continue at Rockingham’s Gary Holland Community Centre.

Rick Williams, who has attended sessions to help tackle breathing problems for the past two years, said the physiotherapy instructor told attendees last week that weekly classes would come to an end on September 26.

“It came as quite a shock that classes would be finishing. We understood it was down to lack of funding, which is a shame because these classes are so important,” he said.

“There is a great camaraderie with the others and it really helps people to feel better. An awful lot of people suffer from asthma — but there are others there who have suffered strokes and really need the class.”

Mr Williams’ wife Valerie said her husband, a retired bricklayer, spent time in hospital two years ago and pulmonary rehabilitation physiotherapy classes had helped him enormously.

“Services such as these are far too important to get caught up in government and politics,” she said.

“In the beginning, they charged for the classes, but then they stopped and no one explained why — we would be happy to pay for Rick to go if we had to.”

A North Metropolitan Health Service spokeswoman said physiotherapy services would continue at the Gary Holland Community Centre.

“It is important that CPS focuses on the sub acute and high priority clients that need the expertise of a physiotherapist,” she said.