The difference rehabilitation can make….this was received from John Eames

I was privileged to be sent to The Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate for rehabilitation by TASC The Ambulance Staff Charity for two weeks in late May 2017.

TASC funded and facilitated my two-week physical rehabilitation. I had received severe life changing injuries whilst working as an Advanced Paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service in February 2011 and since then have made steady progress towards a recovery. My journey has been long and at times challenging with high and low points along the way, with the latest high point being the rehabilitation treatment itself. TASC commissioned services from The Police Treatment Centre after visiting their centre in Harrogate, where Jean Hayes, Director of Charity Operations, saw first-hand how the professionalism, care and holistic approach would benefit ambulance staff in need of rehabilitation. The Police Treatment Centre delivers truly holistic care that the NHS can only dream of. The rehabilitation programme is tailored to each patient`s individual needs based on the application information, telephone consultation prior to arrival and a health check by the nurse on arrival.

The centre provides a restful and relaxing location where, each person can make use of the extensive facilities to support recovery from illness or injury. I was slightly nervous prior to attending the centre about being potentially the only non-police officer present, these anxieties disappeared as soon as I arrived. Everyone was so friendly and accommodating and some where even unaware that the centre accepted Ambulance staff but where delighted that that is now the case. The centre is set up to provide a relaxed atmosphere from the comfortable bedrooms and lounges to the dining room where the delightful home cooked meals are eaten.

I benefitted from both the physical therapy and psychological wellbeing programmes which made for a busy but totally rewarding stay. The timetable was indeed busy but fit together well combining daily Physiotherapy appointments with mental wellbeing workshops, complimentary therapies and time in the gym and the hydrotherapy pool. The programme still allowed time to socialise with the other participants and enjoy walks in the delightful gardens and times of quiet contemplation and relaxation in the sensory garden.

The benefits of my stay are massive, I went with reduced mobility needing two crutches to mobilise even short distances, little confidence and poor self-esteem. I returned much stronger and fitter needing to use only a walking stick to aid my balance with much better energy levels, confidence and much more self-esteem.  The daily physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and gym sessions have had a huge positive impact on my present health and activity levels as well as a scheme for future maintenance and improvement of my health, mobility and fitness.

To get in touch with TASC

www.theasc.org.uk    0800 1032 999    support@theasc.org.uk