Chair heaps praise on ‘career-saving’ Police Treatment Centres

11 November 2024

‘The support they give is career saving’ says the chair of Nottinghamshire Police Federation as he reflects on his ‘phenomenal’ experience of the Police Treatment Centres (PTC).

Simon Riley has told of the ‘invaluable’ treatment he received from the charity, which provides both mental health and physical rehabilitation for members of the police family.

The support came after Simon badly damaged his knee playing football. He was 30 at the time, with two young children and had just been promoted to sergeant. 

“I’d seriously damaged both my ACL [anterior cruciate ligament], MCL [medial collateral ligament] in my right leg and torn all of the cartilage in my right knee playing football, which meant I couldn’t walk, let alone work,” said Simon, who was off work for four months. The injury left him in a cast for eight weeks.

The Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate.

The injury took place in November 2000. Having returned to work on restricted duties, Simon underwent an operation in September of the following year, leading to two more months off work.

As a donor of the PTC, Simon was able to spend time at the charity’s facility in Harrogate, providing him with intense physiotherapy.

“It’s phenomenal up there,” continued Simon, now 53, adding: “Without a doubt, that place saved my career.

Career-saving

“If I hadn’t spent time at the PTC I don’t think I would have had the career I’ve had. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, it’s a career-saving place’.

Simon explained that the treatment he received was ‘completely tailored’ to him, shaped around him regaining his strength and stability.

“Within 10 minutes, the physiotherapist had changed the focus of the treatment I’d previously been having, which made a huge difference.”

Simon spent four two-week stints at the centre, participating in physiotherapy, exercise classes, and hydrotherapy.

“I basically spent my time there eating meals and resting, between sessions of physiotherapy and exercise classes. It’s intense but exactly what you need when you have injured yourself so seriously,” said Simon.

“It’s like what a professional sportsperson would experience, and it allows you to return to work quicker.”

Support

Simon said he was able to return to work fully 14 months after the injury, something that was only made possible due to the support he received from the PTC.

“I signed up to become a donor of the PTC the first day I joined,” added Simon.

“The support I received was invaluable and I know the facilities are even better today - they really are state of the art.

“You never know when you might need them, but the mental and physical health programmes they provide are second to none. The physiotherapy provided really is fantastic”

The Police Treatment Centres has two facilities, one in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and the other in Castlebrae, in Perthshire. Those who donate each month to the charity can access treatment.

Nottinghamshire Police Federation members have recently partnered with the National Police Healthcare Scheme. Members of the scheme will also receive free membership to the Police Treatment Centres. 

Become a member of the National Police Healthcare Scheme today. 

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