South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has urged the Minister for Health to ensure more hydrotherapy pools are available across Northern Ireland.
Ms Ritchie said: “Hydrotherapy is a form of water-based therapy focused on pain relief and treatment. A recent report by Muscular Dystrophy found that nine out of ten people with muscle wasting conditions have found water therapy crucial to management of their pain and condition.
“Unfortunately, this report also found the provision of hydrotherapy pools in the UK was inadequate.
“I have made urgent representations to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety requesting an overview of the amount of pools in Northern Ireland with a view to increasing hydrotherapy treatment.
“The treatment improves mobility, reduces pain and improves quality of life. It is therefore crucial that the Minister allocates appropriate funding for an adequate number of hydrotherapy pools across the country.”
