The Treatment Centres employs two Patient Advisors, one each at St Andrews and one at Castlebrae. Appointments are normally on a Tuesday to Thursday.
The Patient Advisors work closely with the Nursing team and also the Complementary Therapists to provide the best possible care for patients. The Patient Advisors can provide:
•A confidential listening ear
•A sounding board to help patients make important decisions
•Advice, support and information
•Sign-posting to support services and therapies elsewhere.
Both Patient Advisors have a good understanding of the police culture, having worked as Police Welfare Advisors for many years. They are used to helping patients deal with a range of problems/issues such as:
- Bereavement & loss
- Anxiety & depression
- Stress
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Relationship issues
- Planning for retirement
- Financial pressures
Formal counselling is not provided due to the short length of time a patient is at the Treatment Centre; however both advisors have many years’ experience as counsellors and regularly use counselling techniques in their work with patients. They can advise patients of specialist therapies best suited to their particular problems.
The Patient Advisors’ work is always just a part of the overall team’s support for each patient. The relaxing environment; food and facilities along with the staff from all departments helps to provide a place where officers and retired officers can be comfortable and can concentrate on their recovery.
Please note: our Patient Advisors understand the need to preserve total confidentiality in their work with patients.
Support from Patient Advisor to BTP Officer on a stress related condition
Here is how The Police Treatment Centres helped a BTP Officer.
“I attended the PTC in July 2012 after being advised by my Occupational Health Advisor that the facilities and support it provided would greatly assist in my recovery from a stress-related condition.
Upon my arrival, I was assessed by a nurse who was very friendly and welcoming. She worked out my treatment plan, complementary therapies and sessions with the Patient Advisor. I met him several times and with his vast experience and policing background, he immediately identified that the treatment programme I was on was incorrect for my condition. The Patient Advisor then started to implement the therapy I should have been receiving.
By the end of my two week stay, I felt much more relaxed, the surroundings, facilities and staff were absolutely fantastic and not only has it been of tremendous benefit to my health, but it was the start of the road to my recovery.
The Patient Advisor has been more of a help in these two weeks than my own counsellor has in a month! It is worth every penny and more.”