UPDATED | Pool users dive in on Southport hospital over swim ban

Pool users dive in on Southport hospital over swim ban

Furious pool users at Southport Hospital have launched a petition to stop the trust from draining their future.

It was announced this week that the hospital will now stop public use of the hydro pool.

One user, Fiona Caplan, said “has recently come to light that the hospital intends to stop members of the public from using both these facilities with effect from 30th November.

“We have started a campaign to get the Trust to reverse this short sighted decision.”

The letter from the trust stated “It is with regret that the Trust has come to the decision to cease public use of the hydrotherapy pool and the sports hall facilities located in the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre at Southport and Formby District General Hospital.

Public users are any groups who hire the facilities and individuals who pay to use them. This does not include staff users or spinally injured service users in the community who remain lifelong patients of the centre.”

Nicola Ivanovic, Head of Therapy and Rehabilitation Services, said: “Public use of the sports hall and hydrotherapy pool at the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport hospital, will end on 30th November 2018.

“The income from providing public access has for some time not covered the cost of the service and this is at a time when the Trust faces an on-going financial challenge. It is also important we ensure the privacy of our patients when they are using the pool and sports hall.

“Spinally injured services users in the community, who remain lifelong patients of the centre, will continue to have full use.”