A THERAPEUTIC hospital swimming pool used by multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's sufferers is to be closed down early next year.

On March 31 the hydrotherapy pool at Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) will stop operating, shutting out the hundreds of out-patients who rely on its facilities for low-stress, pain-preventing exercise.

The news came in a letter sent to the pool's users by Dr Janet Lippett, the hospital's care group director, on November 14.

Dr Lippett wrote that the annual running costs of £60,000 and £50,000 of investment required to keep the pool going was not in the Trust's 2016/17 capital investment plan, despite the £49,780 generated by the pool each year.

Diane Goodlock, organiser of the MS Therapy Support Group which uses the pool on Wednesday evenings, was dismayed when she heard the news.

“I cried when I found out,” the 68 year-old MS sufferer said.

“They say it is not cost effective but it is a false economy not running things like this. If the pool closes, I am certain people's MS will start to deteriorate.

“It is always the weakest in society that get hurt.”

Mrs Goodlock has used the RBH facilities since they opened in July 2006, having campaigned with former Reading West MP Martin Salter to open the baths to replace those in Battle Hospital which closed in 2005.

When the pool closes, users will either have to go to private facilities or travel more than 20 miles to NHS services in Oxford.

Another long-term member is Graeme Robertson, who co-founded the Disabled Golf Association having regained confidence through swimming at the pool after his MS diagnosis.

He said: “I am gutted really. The hydro-pool is a great facility for people like me.

“It allows you to do exercise you couldn't on land. There's also a social aspect to the group. We all go out for Christmas dinner together.

“Some of the guys don't do a lot else and this is the one thing they do do.”

around 400 patients are referred to hydrotherapy, with up to three therapists required for one patient. 

Jill Gillespie-Shahabi, head of therapies at the RBH, said: "We know that this service is enjoyed by a small number of users, but equally, we have to make difficult decisions that demonstrate the best use of NHS facilities and money. 

"To keep the facility up and running, we would have to take the funds out of front line acute services, or cut other planned capital works and so, the decision to close the pool was made. 

"No staff will lose their post following the service closure but will be freed up to return to working with acute patients on the ward."