HYDROTHERAPY pools used by patients suffering pain or serious injuries could be closed by a major Scottish health board.

A campaign group, Hands OFF Hydro, has been launched to stop NHS Lothian from axing the facilities which they say are the only pools in the area fully equipped for disabled bathers.

Jean Houston, from Back Care - one of the charities that hires the pools, said the cut would have a "devastating" impact on elderly and disabled people.

She said: "Our members are very distressed about this proposed cut. Hydrotherapy greatly reduces their pain and improves their mobility. It has allowed many of them to reduce their pain medication and return to work. Accessing hydrotherapy has also improved their mental health and reduced their social isolation. Due to some people's conditions, the only way they can exercise is in these pools."

According to Hands OFF Hydro, which has been set up by patients, NHS Lothian is having an internal meeting to discuss four proposals to cut their Allied Health Professions (AHP) budget in early March. Closing the pools, based in the Western General Hospital, the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh and St John's Hospital in Livingston, is said to be the first item on the list.

Sam Rankin, an outpatient at Western General Hospital and founder of the campaign, said: "NHS Lothian must not destroy access to such a beneficial service as hydrotherapy. Closing this service is completely illogical, especially since they have just refurbished the main hydrotherapy pool (at Astley Ainslie). Rather than saving money, closing the pools based in hydrotherapy pools will end up costing NHS Lothian more long term. Physiotherapists can see five patients per hour in the pool but only two per hour on land. The closure will create longer waiting times for physiotherapy during which the mobility of patients will deteriorate. Closing down hydrotherapy will cause great suffering and provide no real cost saving."

The campaigners say that pools which have been threatened with closure elsewhere in the UK have been saved following a public outcry.

Alex McMahon, director of strategic planning for NHS Lothian, said: "As part of our strategic plan and vision for the future of healthcare in Lothian, we are evaluating a wide range of services.

"A review of our hydrotherapy pools and their use is currently underway and will involve a range of stakeholders. This will inform any future decisions about the service."