A NEWPORT private hospital's £2.6 million new hydrotherapy centre is due to open in November.

Work began on the St Joseph's Hydrotherapy Centre in autumn 2003. The purpose-built centre, under construction next to St Joseph's Hospital in Harding Avenue, Malpas, is due to open to the public in November.

It includes a state-of-the-art 40 square metre hydrotherapy pool - the most advanced of its kind in Wales. The pool will be fitted with all the latest therapy, heating and safety equipment.

"Hydrotherapy lets people achieve movements which are otherwise difficult or impossible because of muscle pain or stiffness," said Jeremy Williams, physiotherapy manager, St Joseph's Hydrotherapy Centre.

"It's used for treating a range of conditions and injuries, such as those suffered by sports people. The warm water and buoyancy help movement and encourage pain relief and relaxation."

Hydrotherapy is especially beneficial to those who have had hip, knee or other joint replacement operations. It speeds up recovery, enabling patients to leave hospital earlier than they might have done otherwise. The centre will be open for use by groups and individuals, as well as hospital patients, needing physiotherapy.

It will also offer preventative treatment, including sports and fitness training. Mr Williams anticipates particular interest from local rugby and football clubs and organisations for other sports where muscular injuries are commonplace.

St Joseph's Hydrotherapy Centre - where the hospital's team of chartered physiotherapists will be based - will also house physiotherapy treatment rooms.

Pool facilities include showers and changing rooms for the disabled. Hospital trustees took the decision to build the centre because of a shortage of hydrotherapy facilities across South Wales, coupled with a growing demand.