Private Hydrotherapy

Access our state-of-the-art private hydrotherapy facilities in central London. As part of our clinical physiotherapy service, we offer water based exercise and rehabilitation services carried out in a specially heated pool.

Led by expert physiotherapists or as part of independent exercise sessions, hydrotherapy can help with musculoskeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic pain as well as aid recovery after sports injuries and orthopaedic surgery.

After assessing your condition, our specialists will tailor a bespoke exercise programme combining hydrotherapy with our other physiotherapy services in order to meet your needs.

Self-hydrotherapy

What is self-hydrotherapy and how does it work?

Hydrotherapy is a form of exercise carried out in a specially heated pool, often directed by a physiotherapist. Self-hydrotherapy encourages patients to continue with their home exercise programme using self-directed hydrotherapy, giving them independent management of their condition. The self-hydrotherapy session is supervised by a staff member who remains poolside in case of any emergencies. They can also issue equipment and offer simple advice but are not available for assessment or treatment.

Who can use the service?

The Private self-hydrotherapy service is open to anyone who has previously been assessed as suitable for hydrotherapy, is independent with their exercises, and can access the pool independently or bring a carer to assist.

If you have not previously attended physiotherapy at Guy’s or St Thomas’, or through the private physiotherapy service, you may need to have an individual private hydrotherapy session before starting self-hydrotherapy sessions. Please contact us for further advice and information, including costs of our private hydrotherapy sessions.

Where are the self-hydrotherapy sessions?

Self-hydrotherapy sessions are held at both our Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital sites:

Guy’s Hospital	St Thomas Hospital
Hydrotherapy	Hydrotherapy
Therapies Rehabilitation Unit	3rd Floor
Lower Ground Floor (Basement)	Lambeth Wing
Tower Wing

Each session lasts 30 minutes. There is a maximum of four or six people per session, so you will need to book your session times in advance.

What do I need to bring with me?

Swimsuit or shorts, flip flops to wear outside the pool to help prevent tinea pedis (athlete’s foot).
Any fast acting medication like asthma inhalers or angina spray or tablets.
Please note that towels are provided.

Please call and cancel if you

are unable to attend for any reason
have a fever or the flu or you are feeling unwell
have had diarrhoea within the last 48 hours
have an open cut or wound that cannot be covered with a waterproof dressing.

You will be required to give a least 24 hours’ notice if you wish to cancel your session. Failure to do so may result in you being charged.

Contact us

If you want to book a session or amend your appointment email us at: privatepatientenquiries@gstt.nhs.uk or privateoutpatients@gstt.nhs.uk . Alternatively, please contact the private physiotherapy department on 020 7188 5097 and ask for the self-hydrotherapy session.

Hydrotherapy schedule

We have hydrotherapy pools at both Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals, all appointments are in 30 minute slots.

1:1 treatment – 1 person with 1 physiotherapist in the pool.

Guy’s hospital appointments Thursday, 13:30-18:00.

3:1 treatment – 3 people with 1 physiotherapist in the hydrotherapy pool.

Guy’s hospital appointments Monday, between 17:15-18:15.

Self-hydrotherapy treatment – Individual use, up to 5-6 people in the pool with no physiotherapist in the hydrotherapy pool.

St Thomas’ hospital appointments Tuesday, between 16:00-18:30 and Thursday, between 10:30-13:00.

Guy’s hospital appointments Wednesday, between 9:30-10:00.

Please note – you cannot attend this session without having completed a 3:1 or 1:1 session previously.