A SERVICE used to treat patients suffering from paralysis, spinal cord injuries and strokes will be withdrawn from Lister as part of the �100m redevelopment of the hospital site. NHS East and North Hertfordshire – the primary care trust (PCT) – rents spac

A SERVICE used to treat patients suffering from paralysis, spinal cord injuries and strokes will be withdrawn from Lister as part of the �100m redevelopment of the hospital site.

NHS East and North Hertfordshire - the primary care trust (PCT) - rents space at the hospital to provide therapy services, including a hydrotherapy pool.

The pool provides relief for patients with musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, neurological, and paediatric conditions.

But Lister Hospital has told the PCT that space for the service does not form part of the redevelopment plans.

A pensioner, who lives in Westwood Avenue in Hitchin but who did not want to be named, uses the hydrotherapy pool to ease her arthritis.

She said: "I can live without the pool, but I'm concerned for the people who rely on it for some kind of movement.

"Some people are so badly injured, and one boy can hardly move when he comes out of the pool."

The 70-year-old said she was told by a member of staff at Lister that the pool is to close at the end of the year, and the closest facility will then be at St Albans City Hospital.

A spokesman for the PCT has confirmed that the redevelopment of Lister will lead to changes in the way therapy services are provided.

He said: "We are exploring options as to how we can deliver these outpatient services closer to people's homes.

"Moving services into community-based facilities will be done in consultation with staff and the patients."

He added: "We are still in the early stages of planning and will be talking to therapy staff at the site to hear their views and discuss how their services can best be provided for patients in the future.