Hydrotherapy pool closure

The hydrotherapy service has been reviewed in light of:

• The need to ensure rehabilitation services remain safe, effective, sustainable, and aligned with current clinical guidance
• The need to use NHS clinical resources consistently and sustainably across services
• Alignment with evidence-based practice and NICE guidance
• Pressures on our hospital estate and wider strategic estate review

Hydrotherapy has been valued by many patients as part of their rehabilitation and has been an important part of care for some service users. However, the review found that:

• Hydrotherapy is often used as part of a wider rehabilitation programme rather than as a standalone treatment
• For many patients, evidence-based rehabilitation pathways support alternative physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches, including land-based interventions
• At the same time:
  • The pool has significant running and maintenance costs
  • There are ongoing estate, compliance and operational pressures
  • There are challenges relating to utilisation, cancellations and sustainability
  • The Trust’s priority is to continue providing rehabilitation care that is safe, effective, clinically appropriate, and sustainable for the wider patient population.
    

The decision is to permanently close the hydrotherapy service at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

The decision followed a detailed review process for both adults and children using the pool over an extended period, including:

• Extensive data collection and activity analysis
• Review of the clinical evidence base, including NICE guidance and best practice standards
• Detailed assessment of service utilisation, demand, and patient pathways
• Consideration of financial sustainability, operational pressures, and estate requirements
• Exploration and modelling of a range of potential service options

This work has drawn on clinical evidence, service data, and operational analysis to ensure the impact on patients and services was fully considered.
 
A comprehensive options appraisal paper was developed, setting out the risks, benefits, and implications of each option. This paper was presented to the Executive Team, who made the final decision to proceed with closure.
 
This decision has not been taken lightly and has followed careful consideration of the available evidence and options.
 
The agreed approach includes:

• Full closure of the hydrotherapy pool
• A phased transition

This means:

• All hydrotherapy activity will stop by 30th September 2026
• Patients will be:
  • Transferred to land-based physiotherapy, where clinically appropriate
  • Supported to transition to alternative rehabilitation support, self-management, community-based options, or discharge where ongoing NHS therapy is no longer clinically required following clinical review.

A phased transition allows:

• Safe clinical review of patients
• Time to agree alternative rehabilitation pathways
• Support for staff and services through the transition
• Management of impacts on waiting lists and operational capacity

All hydrotherapy activity will end by September 2026.

All patients currently receiving hydrotherapy, and patients currently waiting for treatment, will receive an individual clinical review.
 
Following review, patients may:

• Transfer to land-based physiotherapy or rehabilitation where clinically appropriate
• Be supported with tailored exercise programmes and self-management support
• Be signposted to community-based support or alternative services where appropriate
• Complete treatment where ongoing NHS rehabilitation input is no longer clinically required following review

No patient will be discharged without clinical consideration.

For many patients, rehabilitation will continue through alternative physiotherapy or rehabilitation pathways, including land-based approaches.
 
Your clinician will discuss any changes with you and explain the most appropriate options for your individual needs.

Alternative options may include:

• Land-based physiotherapy
• Tailored exercise programmes
• Group rehabilitation
• Self-management support and community-based exercise opportunities

These approaches are consistent with evidence-based rehabilitation pathways used across NHS services.

There are currently no alternative NHS hydrotherapy services routinely available for our service users locally.
 
Where clinically appropriate, some patients may choose to continue exercise or wellbeing activity through community-based options as part of their ongoing self-management.

We recognise that some patients may feel hydrotherapy has been particularly helpful as part of their rehabilitation.
 
Where concerns are raised:

• Patients will receive an individual clinical review
• Clinicians will discuss alternative rehabilitation approaches
• Reasonable adjustments and personalised care planning will be considered where appropriate

We remain committed to ensuring patients continue to receive safe, appropriate and evidence-based rehabilitation support.

All patients will receive an individual clinical review before any changes to their treatment plan are made.
 
The phased transition process includes:

• Ongoing clinical oversight
• Review of rehabilitation needs
• Access to clinical advice and support
• Monitoring of any concerns or risks during transition
• Any changes to care will be based on individual clinical need.

We recognise that demand in alternative rehabilitation services may change during the transition period and will actively monitor and manage impacts on capacity and access during transition.
 
We will:

• Monitor waiting times and service demand
• Review clinical pathways and operational processes
• Review service delivery arrangements to support safe and sustainable care
• Continue to review workforce and capacity requirements

The aim is to minimise disruption to patient care wherever possible.

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) will support the transition process.
 
We will:

• Review individual patient needs
• Consider reasonable adjustments where appropriate
• Monitor equality impacts
• Seek to minimise unintended disadvantage wherever possible

No changes to care will be made without consideration of individual needs, including disability-related requirements where relevant.

Patients with concerns about worsening symptoms or rehabilitation needs should contact:

• Their treating physiotherapy team
• Their GP
• The relevant clinical service involved in their care

Any concerns will be reviewed clinically.

Service users and carers are encouraged, in the first instance, to:
Provide feedback or raise concerns via [email protected]
 
However, they can also contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 0161 419 5678
• Write or come and see us: PALS and Complaints Team, Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Stockport, SK2 7JE, opening times: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Feedback, concerns and complaints will be responded to as quickly as possible.