What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the efficacy of hydrotherapy for alleviating pain in patients on surgery waiting lists?
Individual treatment options are determined through clinical assessment. However, the evidence for hydrotherapy’s effectiveness is limited, and according to National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE) it should only be considered as an addition to other more effective treatments.
As part of our national policy Promote, Prevent and Prepare for planned care treatment, people will have the opportunity to discuss their needs while they wait. A new single point of contact is being established at each health board which will allow people to have a meaningful discussion to identify possible support for them to wait well.
Each person who contacts the service will have their needs assessed and will be sign posted to appropriate services for their needs. For the majority of people, this will be self-management, using a variety of resources such as self-care digital tools, community services run by third sector, NHS or local authority.