“It’s a game changer”: How a new hoist got Harry back in the pool

Thanks to Southampton Hospitals Charity, the hydrotherapy pool at University Hospital Southampton is open again. 
 
The hydrotherapy service at University Hospital Southampton supports both inpatients and outpatients with complex rehabilitation needs, including people recovering from neurological conditions and musculoskeletal injuries. 
 
Southampton Hospitals Charity funded the replacement of the hydrotherapy hoist, the specialist equipment that safely lifts patients in and out of the water. For patients like Harry, the new hoist means they can return to the pool.

When we spoke to Harry, he told us: 
 
“It’s a game changer… Everything we do with the physios on land is very intensive on your joints. In the pool, it’s easier to go through the exercises. You can move in ways you can’t on land.” 
 
After suffering severe injuries in an accident, Harry had what he hopes will be his final surgery in 2025. A few months later, he started hydrotherapy to support his rehabilitation. But when the hoist broke, his sessions had to stop. 

The worry of going backwards 

Waiting is hard when you’re trying to get better. 

“You always worry you’re going backwards,” says Harry. “You can do exercises at home, but it’s not the same as working with the team here.” 

After just a couple of weeks without the pool, Harry noticed the difference. 

“I felt a little bit jaded. A little bit worried that things were dropping back, not continuing.” 

For Harry, hydrotherapy wasn’t a nice extra. It was an important part of his recovery and his day-to-day life. 

“I like to be pushed,” he says. “And this is where that happens. Both the physio work outside the pool and inside the pool matter. It means a lot.”

Helping the team provide the care patients need 

Therapy technician Sean sees first-hand what the right equipment can do. The team uses specialist equipment like the hoist to help patients safely access the pool and take part in their sessions. The new hoist is particularly important for patients with more complex transfer needs.

Sean explained that having the new hoist means the team can now support more patients to access the treatment they need. Once in the water, patients can work muscles and practise movements that may be difficult to target on land.

“We’re all very grateful. This is specialist equipment, and it’s not cheap. But it’s incredibly valuable for our patients and the care we can provide. Without this kind of support, people might not realise that we simply wouldn’t be able to provide the care that’s needed.” – Sean, Therapy Technician