A HYDROTHERAPY pool in Basingstoke that provides support to patients requiring physiotherapy rehabilitation has announced permanent closure, leaving several long-term users with no alternatives.

Circle Health Group, which runs the Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke, has announced that it will be closing the pool on April 30.

The news has been received with disappointment and frustration by long-term users of the pool, who have been left feeling let down by the short notice of the closure.

The company has stated that any existing treatment pathways will be concluded before the closure and advised patients with clinical concerns to speak to their consultants.

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Since the announcement, several users of the pool have contacted the Gazette, raising concerns about the lack of facilities for hydrotherapy in the area.

Clients have called on the company to do more to support the wellbeing of its patients and to demonstrate a sense of community responsibility.

The closure of the pool is expected to have a significant impact on the mobility and mental wellbeing of many long-term users, who rely on the facility to manage chronic conditions.

One user, who has been attending the pool since it opened, expressed disappointment and said the pool was their lifeline in terms of mobility.

The user said that the company's letter spoke of “delivering outstanding care” yet the closure of the pool did not indicate this.

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Another user, who received the closure notice on Friday, April 20, said the clinic effectively gave only five days of notice to patients as hydrotherapy bookings are not possible on weekends.

“This is surely, at best, an administrative oversight regarding the medical care Circle Health and Hampshire Clinic wish to provide to their patients,” they said.

“At worse, it demonstrates a disregard and lack of respect of patients, some of whom are long-term users with complex medical needs that cannot be met without hydrotherapy.”

Lady Susan Harris, who suffers from chronic fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, urged the company to do all it can to save the facility, which is the only one of its kind for miles around.

"Don't pull the plug," she said.

"The pool is the biggest asset the Hampshire Clinic has to offer patients with Orthopaedic issues in Hampshire. I have been attending twice a week for 12 years.  Exercising in a hydro pool elevates my back pain, and all the issues related to chronic fibromyalgia and arthritis. Pre and post-surgery is just so important. There are many people so reliant for mobility and wellbeing which is something Circle Health advertise,  we just want the decision-making to be reconsidered, and turn the pool into a more accessible facility.

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Several users criticised the short notice of the closure and the lack of consultation with users.

One user, who has been attending the pool for eight years, said that the closure would negatively impact the wellbeing of a significant number of clients and accused the company of making the closure swift to stifle opposition.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Clinic said: “The decision to close the hydrotherapy pool was taken due to its age and increasingly complex maintenance challenges associated with regulatory standards. 

"The space will be renovated to benefit a larger number of patients and help us maintain our record of delivering excellent clinical results and patient care.”