Kate Newton MACP remembers the first vestibular patient she treated as a junior physiotherapist. She was working in a private neurological physiotherapy clinic and her patient had benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a common inner ear issue. 

‘Their symptoms had resolved by the end of that session and I felt like I had a magic wand. 

‘They think you’re a magician. 

‘And I think that’s what really hooks you. 

You go, “Wow. What other kind of physio can literally fix someone in one treatment session?” 

‘Then you get into the nitty-gritty of treating them and it’s often not quite so simple.’ 

It was that experience that put Kate on the path of vestibular physiotherapy, which has ever since been a passion for her. 

She is currently working in a part-time role at the Hunter Brain Injury Service and balances that with another part-time role at the University of Newcastle, where she is the neurological physiotherapy course coordinator and lecturer, although she is currently on maternity leave. 

‘I’m privileged to have that balance and I am lucky to work in teams with other clinicians and researchers who are very motivating.’ 

Kate completed a Master of Rehabilitation through Australian Catholic University in Sydney a few years ago (followed by completing her titling as an APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist), with lecturers including Dr Simone Dorsch and Dr Ann Rahmann as her teachers. 

She also credits the Queensland Vestibular Network and, in particular, Dr Katrina Williams with having a big influence on her. 

‘I find them all to be incredibly inspiring physiotherapists and such amazing teachers.’ 

Kate is now in the process of publishing the research that came out of her studies, which examined vestibular rehabilitation practice in Australia and New Zealand. 

She plans to do a PhD in the not-too-distant future. 

Kate Newton is a neurological physiotherapist in Newcastle.

‘I’m interested in exploring more about vestibular rehabilitation and the barriers to access from the perspectives of both patients and clinicians. 

‘We know it works; we know it’s evidence-based and can make life-changing differences to people. 

‘My question is, why isn’t it accessible to everyone? 

‘We’ve got a few ideas but more research needs to be done. 

‘Once we’ve got that concrete information, we can start to break down what the barriers are and make it more accessible to everyone who needs it. 

‘Because there are large gaps in services where people just can’t get it and that has a huge impact on their quality of life and their livelihood.’ 

Now back in Newcastle, where she grew up, Kate has taken on the roles of deputy chair of the APA’s Neurology national group and chair of the group’s New South Wales branch. 

She says it’s a great opportunity to connect with other neurological physiotherapists. 

‘It’s a wonderful group, tight-knit and collaborative. 

‘I feel I’ve got a network of people now, including the other state chairs, with whom I can discuss and ask questions about any challenging client cases. 

‘Having that ability to tap into the knowledge and experience of all the very clever individuals in the group is definitely beneficial.’ 

Being in a regional centre has made Kate more aware of the issues facing both clinicians and patients in regional and rural Australia and she has joined a Hunter region network to share her knowledge with other local physiotherapists. 

‘I’ve worked in hospitals on the outskirts of Newcastle and you definitely start to see those rural disparity issues arise, like access to services and people travelling huge distances. 

‘After working in a number of different cities and districts, it’s been very rewarding to come home and share what I’ve learned with others in this area.’