Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool

St George’s Community Hydrotherapy Pool

Guidelines for Organisations using St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool

Introduction

Welcome to the St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool, outlined below are some basic guidelines to help you understand how the Pool operates and to ensure your groups safety.

Your group must nominate a leader who will liaise with the St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool on matters such as administration, timetabling, finance and group safety. The leader will also be in charge of the group organisation when using the facility. To comply with current regulations there is a no smoking policy throughout the building. The pool itself measures approximately 7.35m x 4.25m and 1m to 1.5m deep with a water temperature of 35.5ºC.

St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool Admission Policy

The St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool has in place a policy for the admission of children and individuals with a disability to the swimming pool. We have this policy so that everyone can use our facilities in a safe and enjoyable environment. Please speak to a member of staff for any clarification required.

Unfortunately we cannot admit anyone under the age of eight into the pool unless accompanied by a responsible adult. One adult may supervise a maximum of two children under the age of eight, however if the child is under three the ratio is one to one.

The St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings throughout the premises.

Maximum numbers

A maximum of 12 bathers (includes carers) are allowed into the pool at any given time.

Due to the small waiting area, which is used for clients and carers to re-hydrate after the pool, all groups should not arrive more than 15mins before the start of their session.

Carer: Client Ratio

All carers must be water confident. Carers are required to accompany clients at all times to provide assistance and support, this will allow them to maximise the benefits from the pool.

Condition Ratio

 Unstable epilepsy (if seizure within the last 12 months) 1:1  Physical disability – non ambulant 1:1  Learning disability 1:1 or 2:1 (dependent on client)  Others 1:1 or 2:1 (dependent on client)

Health

Any carer or client who has had a vascular incident –e.g. Stroke (CVA), Heart Attack, Pulmonary Embolism or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) will not be allowed into the water for 3 months following this, even if a medical practitioner has sanctioned this. The St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool, in the interest of the client and carer reserves the right to refuse entry into the water.

1 After the 3 month period it is advisable to seek advice from the pool’s physiotherapist. The pool should be notified of all health related matters of clients and carer who are using the pool’s facilities, these are treated with the strictest of confidence.

Any carer or client who has had a seizure whilst in the water are advised to seek medical attention due to the risk of secondary drowning.

Pregnancy – it is advisable not to go into the pool within the first 3 months.

If a client or carer is unwell please do not go into the pool. Please notify staff of any significant changes in your health. Due to the nature of the illness, any client or carer that has been vomiting or had diarrhoea within the last 48hrs must not enter the water.

The pool cannot be held responsible for any condition not disclosed.

Physiotherapist Assessments

All clients and carers must fill in a medical form before using the pool (please photocopy as many as is required), these will be looked through by a physiotherapist and if necessary the physiotherapist will then assess them. All information will be treated in strict confidence. This also applies to any new carers/group members.

It is the group leaders responsibility to ensure that these details are filled in accurately.

Bookings/cancellations, Charges and Invoicing

Sessions can be booked by telephoning St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool on 01733 453583 or emailing: [email protected]. Each organisation has to submit booking form confirming their requirements. Booking form can be obtained from our website or by email/telephone.

Sessions are booked in blocks of five weeks. An invoice for will be issued on arrival of week 1 and payment must be made in full shortly after.

Please also note that the St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool has in place a policy where any group may have one free session within their five session period should they have to cancel due to staff sickness, vehicle breakdown etc. If you fail to inform us within a 24-hour period of your absence the session will be charged as normal.

Each session is charged at £50 inclusive of VAT to gain exclusive use of the pool with lifeguard and changing rooms for up to 12 people.

Manual Handling requirements: - Hoists / Aids

In the interest of clients, carer and staff safety please ensure that hoists are used if required. Before using any changing room hoist training must be carried out by a member of the pools staff. Please ensure your group has sufficient staffing to ensure safety for carer and client. Under no circumstances should a client be manually lifted. Please feel free to bring any equipment with you to assist, but please inform the staff.

Upon Arrival and Changing

 Upon entering the facility, the group leader must report to reception.

 A member of staff will inform the group when they can enter the changing area and also which side to get changed in (left or right). 2  Under no circumstances should a group get changed in any other side than the one they have been allocated.

 For hygiene reasons outdoor footwear are not permitted on poolside. All outdoor footwear must be left in the changing rooms. Pool shoes (indoor flip flops etc) must be brought but if you require to keep your own footwear on due to a medical condition shoe covers are available.

 Any user suffering from incontinence must wear a Hydro-Brief. The pool does not provide these but details are available on request.

 All pool users must shower before entering the pool.

 Glass bottles are not permitted in either the changing or pool area. The only exception to this would be medication and only if agreed in advance by Pool staff.

Entering the Pool Hall and whilst in the Water

 Groups are not permitted to enter the pool hall until their session starts (unless authorised by a member of staff).

 Under no circumstances should a client enter the water without a carer

 Only trained St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool staff are permitted to operate the pool hoist. Under no circumstances are carers allowed to use this equipment.

 All emergency medication must be signed in and kept at the office to pool door for quick response.

 Diving is not permitted in any part of the pool.

 To reduce the chance of any expensive pool equipment being damaged, any equipment your group wishes to use whilst in the water must first be agreed by pool staff.

 The group leader is responsible for the group at all times during the pool session, and has to insist that the above codes of conduct are adhered to.

 The supervisor on duty has the right to either refuse entry, remove an individual, or a group from the pool if they feel that either these regulations are not being adhered to or that there’s an issue with health and safety.

 The maximum length of stay in the water is 30 minutes; if a group enters the water early they must also leave the water early.

Leaving the Pool and Building

 Upon vacating the pool. The group leader must ensure that all group members are out of the pool and back in the changing room. No client must be in the water unattended.

 Groups must use the same side to get changed in as before. If there are no cubicles available immediately please take advise from the staff at the pool.

 The group leader is responsible for ensuring that all group members are out of the changing room and that no personal items have been left behind.

 Once changed all users must be re-hydrated, water is available free of charge from the water dispenser in reception.

3 External Tuition & Physiotherapy

The St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool can arrange for external tuition (at an additional cost) if your group should feel they require it. This can be discussed in more detail with the manager.

Emergency Alarm Procedure

The emergency alarm button is located next to the window on the right hand side of the pool, suspended from the first pine pillar. The alarm button can be reached from inside the pool and must be pressed in the case of an emergency only to alert staff. St George’s staff is responsible for emergency procedure, unless you are supplying your own lifeguard. If this is the case lifeguard supplied by your organisation will have to read and sign our Emergency Procedure and Normal Operating Procedure. He/she will be responsible for safe evacuation of the pool.

Fire/Evacuation Procedure

In the event of a building evacuation, group members in the changing area must leave all belongings, immediately move into the reception area and await further instructions from St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool staff. Any group members located in the pool area will be given instructions by the lifeguard on duty.

St George’s staff is responsible for emergency procedure, unless you are supplying your own lifeguard. If this is the case lifeguard supplied by your organisation will have to read and sign our Emergency Procedure and Normal Operating Procedure. He/she will be responsible for safe evacuation of the pool.

It is the responsibility of the organisation to ensure that any new group leader is fully aware of the above guidelines before entering the St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool. If this is not the case, the guidelines must be read and fully understood before entry is allowed. This may result in time being lost from the session booked.

I have read, understand and agree to adhere to the above guidelines;

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