Physiotherapy patients can receive specialist care in their local leisure venue rather than at hospital as part of an innovative new partnership.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new collaboration with North Yorkshire Council which will see physiotherapy treatment delivered at an Active North Yorkshire site for the first time.
Bespoke adaptations have been made to Active North Yorkshire Ripon – The Jack Laugher Centre, creating a new clinical space for the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust to provide high-quality physiotherapy care outside of a traditional hospital setting.
The move will allow patients to access care in a more familiar and less clinical environment, helping them to view recovery as an active, positive process while also offering increased opportunities to build social connections during rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy teams will work closely with Active North Yorkshire staff to support patients with gym-based exercise, swimming or community classes once their clinical treatment ends, helping people to stay active, improve wellbeing and feel healthier.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for leisure, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “This is a fantastic initiative that will provide significant benefits for residents receiving physiotherapy or rehabilitation services.
“By creating a clinical space for NHS services within our health and wellbeing hubs, patients can access the same high-quality care in a more informal environment.
“This can help shift the mindset from being a ‘patient in hospital’ to an ‘active individual in recovery’, while opening up long-term opportunities to stay active and improve physical and mental wellbeing.
“It is vital that we find innovative ways to respond to the growing demand on health and social care services, and this partnership shows how we can bring outstanding NHS care closer to our communities.
“We are committed to working with partners, including the NHS, to provide a range of services and support that help people of all backgrounds to be more active and live healthier lives. This collaboration marks an important and exciting milestone.”
From today (Monday, June 1), physiotherapy services currently provided at Ripon Community Hospital will be relocated to Active North Yorkshire Ripon on Dallamires Lane.
A number of patient clinics will be held in the new clinical space this week, with pulmonary rehabilitation services due to relocate by the end of this month.
A range of physiotherapy services are planned to be delivered from the leisure centre site, including musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation, respiratory physiotherapy, neurology rehabilitation, pelvic health rehabilitation and children’s (paediatric) physiotherapy.
The move builds on the success of the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s Active against Cancer (AAC) service, a pioneering programme that places exercise at the heart of cancer care for all patients, which moved to Active North Yorkshire – The Jack Laugher Centre in January.
Jonathan Coulter, Chief Executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This move is about rethinking how and where we deliver care.
“Our physiotherapy team has been based at Ripon Community Hospital for over 26 years. Working in partnership with North Yorkshire Council has enabled us to bring physiotherapy into a community setting that is more accessible and better aligned with how people live their lives. It also helps preserve hospital space for patients who need it most.
“It’s a strong example of how we are delivering the NHS’ Fit For the Future 10-Year Health Plan locally, focusing on prevention and care closer to home.”
Matt Halpin, professional lead for physiotherapy at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, also welcomed the new partnership. He said: “Our choice of a leisure-based environment is entirely patient-focused. Moving away from a traditional clinical setting helps patients actively engage in their own recovery with greater confidence.
“Ultimately, this setting bridges the gap between rehabilitation and reality, supporting smoother transitions and empowering patients to sustain their progress and reclaim their independence.”
The council is continuing to work with a number of partners, including the NHS, to consider whether further health-related provision can be delivered within its health and wellbeing hubs across North Yorkshire.
The authority launched its sport and active wellbeing service, Active North Yorkshire, in September 2024 with the aim of creating first-class health and wellbeing hubs that improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of communities across the county.