A new hydrotherapy pool has opened at Martin House Children’s Hospice giving families with seriously ill children the chance to swim together for the first time.
The pool, part of the £21.9 million project to extend and refurbish the hospice, welcomed its first families this week, as it opened its new specialist physiotherapist-led hydrotherapy service.
One of the first children to experience the new pool was Ava Rehman, aged two-and-a-half, along with her parents Mehreen and Asad, and sisters Maya and Maysa.
Ava has a rare genetic syndrome, DDX3X, which affects her hearing and sight, causes respiratory issues, and leaves her unable to walk or move herself.
Mehreen said:
“It was amazing, we had such a good time. Ava absolutely loved it, and the girls’ loved it too – it was just a really special moment to get in the pool together. It’s the first time we’ve been able to do that as a whole family, where we felt really supported.
“It was really good for Ava, she was really able to move herself in the water. When she got out she was so happy – you could tell she enjoyed the experience.”
Asad added:
“All the specialist buoyancy equipment, and the lights and sensory elements are amazing for children with specialist needs like Ava.
"It was the perfect temperature for her as well, because we’ve tried going in a normal pool, and it’s just too cold for her.”
Martin House, which cares for children and young people with life-shortening conditions, will offer hydrotherapy sessions during planned care stays at the hospice, providing relief from symptoms like pain, muscle stiffness and spasm.
Vicki Greensmith, director of clinical services at Martin House, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the first families to enjoy this amazing new service and thrilled that it’s been such a huge hit already.
“While many children can access hydrotherapy services through their schools or the NHS, we offer families the chance to get into the water with their child, which is something they aren’t able to do elsewhere.
“It’s also difficult for families to use regular public pools, as the water can be too cold, the lighting too bright and they are too noisy and busy, all the while managing the very complex needs of their child.
“At Martin House, we can now offer families an experience most of us take for granted – to go swimming with their child – as well as providing vital therapeutic benefit from hydrotherapy to children and young people.”
To find out more about Martin House and how you can support it, visit www.martinhouse.org.uk.
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