Northwick Park hydrotherapy pool to close
The hydrotherapy pool at Northwick Park Hospital, which has been serving people across London for over 40 years, is expected to close at the end of August.
A statement from London North West University Hospital NHS Trust (LWNH) said the new NHS plan makes “a clear distinction” between facilities that should be provided in acute hospitals with those “best provided by community services”.
Hydrotherapy, also known as aquatic therapy, is a form of physiotherapy. It combines massage jets and warm water to help alleviate pain and improve overall motion and muscle strength. Currently the pool supports both NHS and non-NHS patients with musco-skeletal problems such as arthritis, and those recovering from orthopedic surgery.
Thousands of people have backed a petition by Mark Adshead, urging for the hydrotherapy pool at Northwick Park Hospital to remain open. Mark has described the pool as a much-needed lifeline for the community and expects there to be severe consequences for the physical and mental health of patients.
“While we understand that the pool is a popular resource for a small number of patients, it is mostly used by private users. Hydrotherapy is not usually provided in acute hospitals, and the new NHS 10-year plan makes a clear distinction between services that should be provided in acute hospitals and those best provided by community services.
“Our hospital resources must therefore be focused on faster diagnosis, expanding surgical and outpatient services, and providing effective ward care so patients can be discharged promptly and treated equitably.”
“This is the only relief I get from painful joints and isn’t available anywhere else in the area.”
We urge the LNWH trust to reconsider this decision.
If you have used any hospital or community-based services, we would love to hear from you. Share your experiences with us today. We use your feedback to support service design and delivery.
We'll update this section to inform you of the next steps of Healthwatch Brent.
