17 July 2017
Hydrotherapy Pool

Alok Sharma MP has been campaigning, together with local healthcare charities and patient groups, to maintain the hydrotherapy service provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.  He was therefore delighted with the news communicated in the Trust’s press release below:

13 July, 2017

Hydrotherapy facility update from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Following the review that has taken place over the last six months, the Board of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has announced that the hydrotherapy pool at the Royal Berkshire Hospital will remain open for the immediate future.

Steve McManus, Chief Executive said: "We have, in collaboration with local patient representative groups, Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West and other stakeholders, undertaken a detailed review of alternative options for the provision of hydrotherapy.  However, at this time no other suitable facility has been identified and therefore the hydrotherapy pool at the Royal Berks will continue to operate for the foreseeable future."

Reading West MP Alok Sharma said: "I am pleased that the hydrotherapy facility will continue at the Royal Berkshire Hospital or until an acceptable site can be found for its re-provision in the Reading area. I am grateful to the campaign group and Steve and his team, for the co-operative way in which we have worked so far. We now need to work on a longer term plan to ensure a local hydrotherapy service is available permanently for all patients who need it."

Kim Seabrook, Chairman of Arthritis Matters said: "We are delighted at the hospital's decision to keep hydrotherapy open for the foreseeable future. We would like to thank Steve McManus and his team for listening to the concerns of patients, users, and the community. We are very grateful to Alok Sharma MP, and Martin Salter for the considerable help they have given the self-management groups during the campaign to safeguard this wonderful facility. Our thanks also go to everyone in the wider community who has supported us."

Steve added: "I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the review for their time and valuable contribution.  I look forward to continuing our partnership as we work with Alok, our local Clinical Commissioning Groups, and other partners, to find a long-term alternative solution for a hydrotherapy facility that supports both the needs of the users and our Clinical Strategy."

RBH Hydrotherapy Pool