A group of physiotherapists say they are opposing plans to cut NHS funding for hydrotherapy in Reading because people “gain significant benefit” from the treatment.

Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) governing body is expected to stop routine funding for hydrotherapy when it meets on Tuesday, December 8.

The NHS organisation, which is trying to close a £20 million funding gap, says there is “a limited amount of good-quality evidence on the clinical effectiveness of hydrotherapy” and it is more expensive than land-based physiotherapy.

It currently spends around £240,000 on providing 300 patients with the treatment each year and says land-based physiotherapy for the same number of people costs up to £72,000.

READ MORE: NHS bosses plan to stop hydrotherapy treatment funding

But the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), which represents around 58,000 physiotherapists, is objecting to the proposed funding cut.

In a statement, the CSP wrote: “There are a great number of the population who gain significant benefit from being able to exercise within a hydrotherapy pool, particularly those with long term conditions such as Ankylosing and Spondylitis and Multiple Sclerosis to name just a few.

“Benefits include the ability to self-manage their conditions and reduce the number of outpatient contacts required to stay well thus saving costs to the healthcare system.

“What other options for recommissioning hydrotherapy services has the CCG explored and is this an option being actively considered. If not why not?”

That will be put to the CCG’s governing body when it meets on Tuesday, but it does not have the power to shut the pool, which is run by Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The NHS organisation says just 1.2 per cent of the 107,000 physiotherapy appointments it funds each year involve hydrotherapy, and land-based physiotherapy is far more cost effective and has “strong clinical evidence behind it”.

READ MORE: Closure of ‘vital’ hydrotherapy service in Reading opposed by council and MP

However, CSP insists there is credible evidence that shows hydrotherapy can be an effective form of treatment and The National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guidelines (NICE) recommends it for people suffering with certain conditions.

The CSP also states that hydrotherapy can be cost effective, as only one or two clinicians are needed to supervise a group of patients, while most land-based physiotherapy sessions are 1:1.

In a letter to the CCG, it wrote: “Whilst there may be an additional cost to maintain and upkeep a pool this is balanced by keeping this patient group well and moving thus reducing the need for additional GP and hospital attendances.

“It supports safe and effective self-management.”

Reading Borough Council is also calling on the CCG to continue funding hydrotherapy treatment.