Physio pool maintenance cost concern

Any future upgrading of the Otago District Health Board's therapeutic pool should be paid for by those who use it rather than the board, Richard Thomson says.

He told the hospital advisory committee he chairs that "at the risk of receiving numerous letters" he could not support the board's scarce capital works funding being used for an upgrade of the "physio pool" .

It should be covered by fees charged to pool users.

He was sure the pool was of value to the community but capital funding could not be spent there at the expense of other capital expenditure.

His comments arose from a report from regional manager of building and property services Warren Taylor stating the deterioration in the condition of the Castle St pool and subsequent maintenance required had identified that "significant capital work" would be needed to retain an acceptable level of safety.

A full report was being prepared with estimated costs for the next few years.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Taylor said while there were not health and safety concerns yet, the pool, within the Dunedin Hospital complex, was old and getting quite run down and tired looking.

While the board spent between $20,000 and $30,000 a year on maintenance, with much of it done during the Christmas shut-down, there were projects such as replacing cracked tiles and improving the showers which needed to be done.

He could appreciate Mr Thomson's comments regarding priorities for capital works, but the pool did need to be assessed so decisions could be made about it for the next five years.

It could be that a decision would be made just to continue with yearly maintenance as was done now, he said.

The report is expected to be completed in the next few months.

Otago Therapeutic Pool secretary-treasurer Neville Martin said he could not comment on the matter as the trust had not been advised officially by the board.

The trust operates the pool, but the pool is owned by the health board, which is responsible for maintenance.

Mr Martin noted that the work done over the Christmas break had drawn favourable comment from those using the pool.

An upgrade would be appreciated, but the facility appeared to be adequate at the moment, he said.

About 50,000 pool visits were made by people using the pool each year, the report noted.

elspeth.mclean@odt.co.nz

Otago Therapeutic Pool
- Has 50,000 users each year including patients and members of the public.
- Is owned by the Otago District Health Board but run by the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust.
- The trust was formed in 1983 after a public outcry over a proposal to close the pool in 1983.
- The water temperature is 35degC.
- Maintenance costs between $20,000 and $30,000 a year.
- In 2006, it had a face-lift costing about $59,000.
- Pool charges last increased in 2008.
- A single visit for an adult or child over 5 is $4.
- Concessions available for regular users, students, those aged over 65 and those with medical certificates.