Physiotherapy patients in North Yorkshire will soon be able to receive specialist treatment in a local leisure centre, following a new partnership designed to bring care closer to home.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with North Yorkshire Council to deliver physiotherapy services from an Active North Yorkshire site for the first time. The initiative marks a shift away from traditional hospital-based care, offering patients a more accessible and less clinical environment for rehabilitation.
A dedicated clinical space has been created at Active North Yorkshire Ripon – The Jack Laugher Centre, following bespoke adaptations to the facility. This will allow the Trust to deliver a broad range of physiotherapy services within a community setting.
Patients are expected to benefit from receiving care in a familiar environment, which clinicians believe can positively influence recovery. The setting also supports a more holistic approach to rehabilitation, encouraging patients to stay active and socially engaged during and after treatment.
Under the new model, physiotherapy teams will work alongside Active North Yorkshire staff to help patients transition into ongoing physical activity. This includes access to gym-based exercise programmes, swimming facilities and community classes once clinical treatment has concluded. The aim is to promote long-term health, wellbeing and independence.
As part of the transition, physiotherapy services currently delivered at Ripon Community Hospital will be relocated to the Dallamires Lane site. Initial patient clinics are already underway in the new facility, with pulmonary rehabilitation services expected to move across by the end of the month.
The new community-based service will provide a comprehensive range of treatments, including:
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation
- Respiratory physiotherapy
- Neurology rehabilitation
- Pelvic health services
- Paediatric physiotherapy
The move builds on the success of the Trust’s Active Against Cancer (AAC) programme, which integrates exercise into cancer care pathways. That service also relocated to The Jack Laugher Centre earlier this year, reinforcing the site’s role as a hub for innovative, preventative healthcare.
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.”
For NHS leaders and system partners, the initiative highlights the growing role of cross-sector collaboration in tackling capacity challenges while improving patient experience. By embedding services within community assets, organisations can support earlier intervention, reduce hospital demand and promote sustained wellbeing.
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