One of the questions we’re often asked is, “Why do I need a letter from my GP before starting?”
It’s a great question, and the answer is simple. Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of every participant.
Because we deliver our sessions in warm water and hydrotherapy environments, we ask all participants under the age of 16 to provide a short letter from their GP before commencing services.
This is a requirement of the facilities we operate within and helps us ensure that everyone can safely access the water.
What does the GP letter need to say?
The letter doesn’t need to be lengthy or complicated.
We simply ask that it includes:
• The participant’s full name.
• Date of birth.
• A statement from the GP confirming that, to the best of their professional knowledge, there are no known concerns or medical contradictions to the participant accessing a warm water or hydrotherapy environment in a supervised one-to-one session for their ongoing needs.
That’s it.
Here’s an example:
Click here to download this sample Hydro Letter
Why do we ask for a GP rather than an allied health letter?
Many of our participants work closely with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists and other allied health professionals.
These reports and therapy plans are incredibly valuable. They help us understand a participant’s goals, strengths, support needs and the best ways to encourage skill development in the water. We welcome these plans and use them to help create meaningful and individualised sessions.
However, they don’t replace the GP letter.
The purpose of the GP letter is different. It provides medical confirmation that there are no known health concerns or contraindications for participating in a warm water environment.
Keeping everyone safe
Water offers so many opportunities for movement, confidence, learning and fun, but safety always comes first.
Having a GP confirm there are no known medical concerns allows our team and the facilities we work with to provide supports with confidence, while ensuring we meet the requirements of the venues where our sessions are delivered.
Need help?
If you’re unsure what your GP needs to include, or you have questions about getting started, we are always happy to help. Speak to a member of the team during your next visit or CONTACT US.
We can provide guidance on what’s required so the process is as simple and stress-free as possible.
We look forward to welcoming you into the water soon.