Recent data by the Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health shows that Territorians are living longer but are sicker, amplifying the importance of the upcoming election on 24 August as a clear opportunity for candidates to prioritise the health outcomes for Territorians.

In a newly released election statement Physiotherapy: high-value care for all Northern Territorians, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) details the top five key policy asks that are essential for improving Territorians’ health and wellbeing, especially those most in need of culturally safe care.

First Nations people face significant health disparities, experiencing a burden of disease that is 2.3 times the rate of non-Indigenous people, with chronic diseases responsible for more than two thirds of that burden of disease.

APA National President and Palawa man Scott Willis emphasised the importance of investing in community led, culturally responsive physiotherapy services.

‘Currently 70 per cent of patients in NT public hospitals are First Nations people , clearly demonstrating the need to have a system in place that appropriately treats and diagnoses conditions before arriving at the emergency department,' Mr Willis said.

‘We need a system that allows for first-contact physiotherapy to be widespread within the hospital system, so that a physiotherapist can assess, diagnose and discharge the 35 per cent of presentations that are musculoskeletal  to help reduce patient wait times and the burden on emergency departments and GPs.'

‘Physiotherapy provides a path to better health for all Territorians. It is crucial that we prioritise culturally safe and high-quality care for our First Nations communities, to address the significant health disparities they face.’

The APA’s statement details five key asks:

1. Better access to primary and community care physiotherapy: Enable physiotherapists to work to their full scope of practice, ensuring preventive and early intervention services are accessible to reduce chronic pain and improve health outcomes.
2. Investment in culturally safe physiotherapy for First Nations people: Strengthen cultural competency, grow the First Nations physiotherapy workforce, and enhance access to culturally safe services.
3. Support for physiotherapy positions in hospitals and urgent care settings: Increase physiotherapy roles to improve patient flow, reduce hospital readmissions, and enhance patient outcomes.
4. Investment in multidisciplinary team care and sustainable workforce: Support a sustainable physiotherapy workforce in rural and remote areas, ensuring equitable access to high-quality care for all Territorians.
5. Funding for advanced practice physiotherapists: Embed advanced practice physiotherapists in primary care settings to manage complex conditions and reduce the need for costly surgical interventions.

‘By prioritising physiotherapy funding and supporting the development of advanced practice roles, especially for culturally safe services for First Nations people, we can address long wait times, fragmented services, inadequate funding, and workforce sustainability, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for our community,’ Mr Willis said.

The APA calls on all Northern Territory election candidates to support these priorities and invest in physiotherapy to ensure a healthier future for all Territorians. 

-ENDS-
For further comment or information, please contact Claire Macuz-Witte, Media and Public Relations Manager:
M (61) 0434 815 674
E APA.media@australian.physio

References
Department of Health, Northern Territory (2023). Morbidity burden of disease and injury in the Northern Territory 2014-2018. Available at https://digitallibrary.health.nt.gov.au/nthealthserver/api/core/bitstreams/a718da95-66b9-4642-b7d9-6b24a368e2ac/content
Australian Physiotherapy Association (2022). Future of Physiotherapy in Australia: A 10-year vision policy white paper. Available at https://australian.physio/sites/default/files/APA_Future_of_Physio_White_Paper_FW.pdf 
Northern Territory Government (2024). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Available at: https://health.nt.gov.au/professionals/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health