Keith Wardle, a 77-year-old grandfather from Stockport, Greater Manchester, has condemned a decision by NHS bosses to close a hydrotherapy pool at Stepping Hill Hospital, describing it as a 'disgraceful' move that will 'seriously slow down' his recovery. Wardle, who learned to walk again after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological condition, had been using the pool as part of his rehabilitation.
Collapse and diagnosis
Wardle was visiting his daughter in Boston, USA, in October 2022 when he suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which affects senses and movements. The father-of-one and grandfather was ventilated and unconscious for about a month before being flown back to the UK by air ambulance. Upon landing at Manchester Airport, he was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital's intensive care unit for two weeks, then transferred to a local specialist rehabilitation centre where he had to relearn walking and basic daily tasks like brushing his teeth.
Hydrotherapy as a lifeline
After returning home, Wardle began physiotherapy, including sessions in Stepping Hill's hydrotherapy pool. The warm-water pool helps relieve pain and improve joint mobility through water buoyancy and warmth. Following initial sessions with a physiotherapist, he booked weekly sessions for self-led rehab. However, at the end of June 2026, he was informed that Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill, decided to close the pool at the end of September 2026. As part of a transition, patients are being transferred to other services, and Wardle has been told he cannot book further sessions.
“It has been a lifeline for me, a lifesaver in fact,” Wardle said. “With my condition balance is a big issue. I can’t stand on one leg and if I close my eyes, even with two feet on the ground, there’s a chance I could fall. With the pool it doesn’t matter too much if you fall, you’re not going to seriously hurt yourself. It has given me the opportunity to exercise myself in controlled conditions. It has given me dignity and helped me build my confidence. The benefits have been incalculable.”
Trust's decision and costs
The trust stated the decision followed a 'detailed review', citing 'significant' running costs and 'estate, compliance and operational pressures'. Wardle criticised the lack of consultation with staff and patients. He noted that private hydrotherapy pools require an assessment costing around £85 and then about £25 per session, compared to £7 at Stepping Hill, which he says is 'too much' for him and likely unaffordable for other patients.
“I appreciate it won’t be cheap to heat the pool and run it,” Wardle said. “But I think it’s a cost worth bearing. I can’t put into words the difference it has made to me and I know I’m not alone. I know people who travel on two or three buses to get here. It’s also not just outpatients but inpatients as well. I think this is a financially driven decision which has been made by people who are only thinking of the bottom line. They have likely never used one so don’t fully understand it and the difference it can make.”
Recovery fears and political involvement
Although Wardle has regained the ability to walk, he still uses a walking aid and sometimes a wheelchair. He fears his recovery will be 'seriously slowed down' by the closure. He has contacted his MP, Lisa Smart, to persuade the trust to reverse the decision.
A trust spokesperson said: “Following a review of clinical need, best practice guidance and sustainability, our hydrotherapy unit will close on 30 September 2026. Patients will continue to receive support through alternative evidence-based rehabilitation pathways. While we recognise hydrotherapy has been valued by many, our priority is to provide rehabilitation services that are safe, effective, clinically appropriate and sustainable for the wider patient population.”
