Hydrotherapy services across Berkshire West could be cut to save money.
A 12-week public consultation launched this week (August 10) to seek views on the future provision of hydrotherapy services in the area.
The move is part of a review of services to make health care fit for purpose and ensure money is being spent wisely to provide modern, efficient and effective services for the benefit of as many people as possible.
The consultation survey is being run by the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (BWCCG).Hydrotherapy is water-based exercise which is an additional, ‘complementary’ service offered to a small percentage of patients needing physiotherapy.
The service is commissioned by BWCCG and managers want to establish where the service fits within their commissioning agenda.
Dr Abid Irfan, Chair of Berkshire West CCG, said: “The demands of Covid have turned the spotlight on all NHS services, and what’s been clear is that a lot of what we do could be done very differently. We’re keen not to lose this momentum of change to bring about big benefits for patients, and our staff. So, across the NHS, we’re turning our attention to a wide range of work, looking at what we do and asking why we do it in a particular way; whether it can be done differently; delivered elsewhere, and whether it provides proven benefits for as wide a range of people as possible. The NHS is facing huge demands from an ageing and growing population and it’s our duty to make sure we get the most out of taxpayers’ investment in the NHS, use our limited resources prudently and deliver essential and effective care to everyone across Berkshire West. The hydrotherapy service is one of many that have been suspended for safety reasons during Covid which is why we feel now is as good a time as any to re-look at the facility and how it fits into the shape of our local NHS services in the future. We are holding a wide ranging, long running consultation exercise over the next 12 weeks so we can get a really in-depth picture of the way the service is used and what people feel are its benefits.”
Article originally appeared on The Reading Chronicle
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