Celebrating more than a decade in the FSH hydrotherapy pool and a career dedicated to patient care

"Looking after patients has been my whole world – it's my essence of being."

Reflecting on almost 50 years spent working in public health, Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) Hydrotherapy Service Allied Health Assistant (AHA), Eric Watson fondly describes his various roles across nursing and allied health as “so much more than just a job."

For 12 years Eric has been running the hydrotherapy pool at FSH, and as he transitions to retirement this year, he hopes to be remembered for his crucial role in recruiting allied health staff as well as keeping patients' safe poolside.

"I'd like to think my role as an AHA has been two-fold as I've been instrumental in recruiting and training staff all the way through my career and have built strong relationships with local TAFE institutions to help build the next generation of allied health staff," Eric said. 

"I was also responsible for the safety of patients in the hydrotherapy pool to ensure we met Australian standards – this ranged from instructing multiple classes to helping patients get in and out of the pool safely."

Eric began his healthcare career as an Enrolled Nurse in 1977, bringing compassion and care to every ward he worked on. In 1990, he found his “true calling” when he transitioned into Allied Health and jumped into the hydrotherapy pool at Shenton Park before taking over the full time running of Hydrotherapy as its manager in 1995. A move he says he “never looked back” on.

If you've ever been near the FSH pool, you'll know Eric as the legendary collector of rubber ducks. Over the years, patients proudly brought in their personalised ducks – each one decorated with character and creativity – to earn a spot on the infamous pool trophy wall.

For many, seeing their duck displayed was a symbol of achievement, progress, and connection with Eric's warm sense of fun.

"I'll miss my patients the most – some of them I’ve watched grow over more than 20 years," Eric said.

"To be part of their journey, and of course their families as well, has been an absolute privilege and is really very humbling." 

As Eric steps into retirement, he will be swapping the pool for the playground with his new role babysitting his 18-month-old grandson and he has plans to travel around Australia.

After a lifetime dedicated to patient care, Eric leaves a legacy marked by kindness and a wall full of rubber ducks that will forever tell the stories of those who stepped onto the pool deck.

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