HEALTHCARE chiefs at Royal Berkshire Hospital have postponed the controversial decision to shut down the hydrotherapy pool until June 30, 2017, the Chronicle can reveal.

Community campaigners have battled the proposals since they were announced back in November, and a petition against the closure amassed more than 3,000 signatures.

Politicians, including the town's local MPs, joined the fight, and Rob Wilson MP revealed hospital bosses will delay the decision pending a consultation with service users.

He said: "I’m pleased that the Trust has committed to re-evaluating the decision to close the hydrotherapy pool at the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH).

“This is the engagement for which I have been calling since my meeting with senior figures at the Trust in December; during which it became increasingly clear that the decision-making process had suffered from a complete lack of transparency."

Diane Goodluck, organiser of the MS Therapy Support Group which uses the pool on Wednesday evenings and a campaigner to keep it open, welcomed the news. 

"I think its amazing," Ms Goodluck said. 

"The Royal Berkshire thought they could shut it down and nobody would say anything. We have had consultants and doctors and people from all walks of life write in opposing the decision. 

"Now we have more time to work with the hospital to find a way to stop the pool closing."

Chief Executive of the RBH Steve McManus confirmed the decision had been defered until this summer.

"During this period the pool will continue to be fully operational," he said.

"The Trust will clarify its Clinical and Estates strategies in the relation to the hydrotherapy service and work with local partners to address questions raised by MPs and local patient representative groups.

"The Trust will also engage with existing users of the facility.

"At the same time it will work with local Clinical Commissioning Groups, other NHS partners and the local authority to explore future options for the hydrotherapy service.”