A campaign calling for a “vital” NHS service to be retained in Reading has received support from all 46 Reading councillors and the local MP.

The hydrotherapy pool at Royal Berkshire Hospital, currently closed due to the Covid pandemic, could be axed, with a public consultation underway to determine its future.

The Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says the ongoing challenges and potentially open-ended nature of the pandemic has prompted the review.

READ MORE: Plea to save NHS hydrotherapy service facing the axe as cuts labelled ‘premature’

Reading Borough Council's (RBC) full council passed a motion last week, opposing the service being cut.

Councillor Graeme Hoskin, lead member for Health and Wellbeing, called the consultation “premature”.

He said: “It is disappointing and unfortunate that this consultation is taking place at the moment, in the midst of a pandemic because if that wasn’t the case, I think we would be seeing a very high-profile campaign.

“It is a very valued service, around people’s wellbeing and quality of life. It provides support for people with illnesses and underlying conditions to be well, have a good quality of life and to stay independent.”

Before the onset of the pandemic, Berkshire West NHS area faced a funding gap of £20.7 million and Cllr Hoskin said this will only get worse due to the Covid-19 crisis.

He said: “I do understand the pressure that the NHS will be under to making savings but I strongly believe this is the wrong saving to make.”

Cllr Hoskin added: “There are a number of hydrotherapy services available to dogs and pets. It would be an outrage and disgrace if the pet population of Reading and Berkshire have access to far better hydrotherapy services than people.”

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Labour councillor Sarah Hacker, who has fibromyalgia and arthritis, added her own personal take on the situation.

She said: “I was first introduced to a hydrotherapy pool when I was pregnant with my youngest boy, because I had pelvic gurdle pain.

“It is something I may be offered in the future if it’s still there, if my arthritis or knees get worse, or I find my fibromyalgia has moved around my body and I need support to stay mobile.

“It really is a very poor idea to close something that can give so many people relief.”

Deborah Catherall, a trustee at Arthritis Matters, said the charity is “extremely concerned” that the pool could close permanently and said its members have benefitted enormously from the service.

She said the service also saves the NHS money in the long-term.

The council’s motion received cross-party support, with Conservative councillor Simon Robinson adding: “The list of ways in which hydrotherapy can assist and bring health and wellbeing benefits to patients is so long.

“This facility should be protected for the good of our patients. Whilst it may be temporarily closed during the pandemic, this is no excuse to make that closure permanent.”

Green councillor Jamie Whitham said the hydrotherapy pool is an “important resource”, while Lib Dem councillor Ricky Duveen said he “absolutely supports the motion”.

The council passed a similar motion in January 2017 in response to a previous consultation, on whether to close hydrotherapy services in Reading.

Reading East MP Matt Rodda, has also lent his support to the campaign against closing hydrotherapy services, calling on the trust to rethink its approach.

He said: “Some patients feel they get a great deal of benefit from hydrotherapy and as such it is important that this much loved service continues.”

You can have your say at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/hydrotherapy

The closing date for feedback is November 2.