Transcript West Berkshire Neurological Alliance

Proposal for a
Hydrotherapy Pool for
West Berkshire
An enduring
community
facility for
800 users
each week
For further information please contact
John Holt
01635 33582
[email protected]
September 2007
What is hydrotherapy?
Physiotherapy in water
Therapy that cannot be
delivered on dry land
Who benefits?
Stroke
 Cancer
 Arthritis
 Rheumatism
 Amputees
 Orthopaedics
 Joint replacements
 Ante and post natal
 Learning difficulties ……..

Who benefits?
Head injuries
 Spinal injuries
 Parkinson’s
 Motor Neurone Disease
 Multiple Sclerosis
 Spina bifida
 Huntington’s
 Late effects of polio
 Muscular dystrophy ……..

Who benefits?
Football
 Rugby
 Cycling
 Jockeys
 Hockey
 Athletics

Anyone may develop
a need for hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy,
for health
and well-being ….
Restore lost muscle power
 Maintain muscle power
– Improve walking or gait
– Improve ability to stand
– Ability to bend and turn
 Out of hospital
 Back to work
 Back to sport
 Safer pregnancy

How big an unmet need?
Independent study indicates
800 users each week
 Central location important
 20 user pool = 80 sq m
 Open 50+ hours / week
 Location, cost and
marketing affects numbers

Pool features ….
Water at 32-37C
 Hoists, ramps, steps
 1 in 30 gradient floor
 Depth 830-1350 mm
 Working space around pool
 Space for therapists
 Therapeutic environment

Not a swimming pool
 Not a bubble bath

Some issues
to get right ….
Water quality and
conservation
 Energy conservation
 Air humidity control
 Air temperature
 Lighting and glare
 Therapeutic environment
 Access
 Location
 Health and safety

Construction costs ….
Depends on final size
 Invest to save energy costs
 £800,000?
 Requires half acre of land

The proposal already has
major backers
 More support always
welcome!

Likely staff and structure
Social Enterprise
– Members
– Stakeholders
– Board of trustees
 Director / Manager
 Maintenance & cleaning
 Reception
 Therapists
– (retained, visiting)
 Assistants & trainees
 Volunteers

Why
Social
Enterprise?
•
•
•
•
Run on commercial lines
No shareholder dividends
Profits go back into the
business
The more who use the pool
the lower the prices
Income
sources
Lettings
– Groups: existing, ad hoc
– Individuals
– Private therapists
– Non hydrotherapy use
 Sale of energy
 Support grants
 Support from members
 ‘Friends of the hydro pool’

Independent
professional
feasibility
study
December 06

Unmet need quantified
–
800 users each week
All issues can be addressed
 Outline business plan clear
 ‘Central’ location important

Who is already involved?
West Berks Neurological
Alliance
 West Berks Disability
Alliance
 Community Action W Berks
 Greenham Common Trust
 Berkshire Social Enterprise

Berkshire Community
Foundation
 European Social Fund

Activities planned
for autumn 2007





Secure letters of support from
key stakeholders
Recruit trustees to run the
social enterprise
Establish the legal entity of the
social enterprise
Continue negotiations to secure
a long lease on suitable half an
acre of land
Encourage offers of funding
Who is interested?




20-30 organisations
Therapists
Hospital staff
Members of the public
--------------------
To find out more please contact
John Holt
01635 33582
[email protected]