Barry Gardiner calls for Hydrotherapy Pool closure to be paused, release of documentation regarding the decision and review of decision in consultation with service users

 

A patient and physiotherapist in an Australian hydrotherapy pool

 

Barry Gardiner MP for Brent West is due to meet Pippa Nightingale, CEO of London North West University Healthcare Trust after her decision to close the Northwick Park Hydrotherapy Pool has resulted in a collective complaint by staff and uproar among patients.

 

In her response to a letter from Barry Gardiner the CEO merely repeated what was in the Trust's reluctantly issued press release.

 

This is the exchange:

 

Dear Ms Nightingale,

I hope this letter finds you well. 

 

I write on behalf of multiple constituents who have contacted me in relation to the impending closure of the hydrotherapy pool at Northwick Park Hospital. I understand this is due to happen at the end of this month, so I would be grateful if you could please treat this issue as a matter of urgency. 

 

I understand that service users were not consulted on the decision to close the pool, nor were they formally notified of the closure in good time. I understand that instead, patients were abruptly informed by reception staff that they could not book any sessions beyond the end of this month. 

 

I understand that the hydrotherapy service provides life-changing treatment to many service users who suffer various limiting and painful conditions. I am told by my constituents of its immeasurable benefits, including one constituent who depends on local access to hydrotherapy to maintain her employment, and in turn her independence and mental wellbeing. 

 

I understand that patients already self-fund their sessions at the pool and they therefore feel that costs currently incurred by the Trust are minimal. I share their concerns that on the other hand, closing the pool will cause deterioration in the patients’ conditions and decrease their independence, resulting in far greater costs for the NHS and social care in the long term. 

 

I am sure you have not come to this decision lightly. However, I would be grateful if you could please: 

 

1.Urgently pause the decision to close the hydrotherapy pool;
2. Release documentation in relation to how the Trust came to this decision;

3. Review the decision in consultation with service users.

 

If there is no way the closure can be avoided, I would be grateful if this could at least be delayed and for the Trust to assist with referring patients to suitable alternatives. 

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. 

 

Yours sincerely,

Barry Gardiner

 

Dear Barry, 

 

Thank you for your letter of 22 July regarding concerns about the closure of the hydrotherapy pool at Northwick Park Hospital. 

 

I can confirm that the hydrotherapy pool will close on 30 August this year. This is one month later than originally planned to allow more time for engagement with service users, and I hope that this provides you with some additional reassurance around the work we are doing in this area, as you ask in your letter. 

 

We are engaging with our Patient and Carer Participation Group about the pool closure and will take into consideration any concerns that are raised through that forum. While this discussion will not impact upon the decision, it may affect the way in which we manage or communicate the change. 

 

As part of communicating with the pool’s users, we are providing information about all alternative local providers of hydrotherapy. This includes the nearby Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital which has a much larger facility with accessible steps and a hoist. We are therefore assured that all those who use the service will have suitable alternative options.

 

As you note, closing the pool is not a decision we have taken lightly. I would like to reassure you that the decision follows completion of a full quality and equality impact assessment. 

 

We fully recognise that the pool is a popular resource, especially among fee-paying users, who make up most of its users. However, 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. 

 

You will also be aware of the changes to the NHS financial regime this year, including the funding cap on elective activity. It is now therefore essential to focus all our resources on providing care to acutely unwell patients, and not the funding of community services. This means concentrating efforts on faster diagnosis, expanding surgical and outpatient services, and providing effective ward care so patients can be discharged promptly and treated equitably. 

 

Despite fee-paying users, upkeep and maintenance means the pool has operated at a financial loss to the Trust. If we continued providing this community service, it would reduce the number of appointments we can provide for our acutely unwell patients, resulting in longer waits for essential care. 

 

I appreciate there are aspects around the balance between acute care and community services that you may wish to discuss further. If so, I would be very pleased to arrange a meeting. 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Pippa Nightingale

Chiel Executive