Neil Gibson, a Police Officer with the Humberside Constabulary recently made two visits to the Police Treatment Centres in Harrogate for treatment following surgery on a serious knee injury. Read his experience of the Police Treatment Centres here.
“I joined Humberside Police in 2001, and started contributing to PTC straight away. I have always been on the frontline and in specialist Policing units but thankfully had no need to use the facilities provided by the PTC until relatively recently.
I have been a keen Rugby League player since I was 11 years old, and in recent years I have been playing Masters Rugby (over 35s) for my local club and for Great Britain Police Masters.
Just prior to the Covid lockdown I damaged my knee and was diagnosed with severe cartilage damage and chronic arthritis across both knees. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the surgery I required wasn’t possible for 18 months. I finally had the surgery in April 2021, at first it wasn’t known if the surgery had been a success meaning the possibility of further intrusive surgery which could potentially affect my life, both professionally and privately.
In July 2021 I attended the Police Treatment Centres in Harrogate for the first time. As I first entered the building, I was in a lot of discomfort and a little sceptical regarding my chances of a recovery.
During my two week stay, I worked closely with Physio Tom and left feeling much less pain and with a greatly reduced limp and shortly after leaving the Centre I was able to complete Public Order training once again.
I have recently returned to the PTC for a second time, on this occasion for treatment on the other knee. Although not in as serious a condition, it was decided that some pain management and subsequent strengthening would be worthwhile in order to combat the ongoing arthritis. Again, the treatment I received from Physio Marie was top class. I am now back playing Masters Rugby League again and have recently been called up to represent Great Britain Police Masters on the teams tour to Canada in May 2023.
Without a doubt were it not for the Police Treatment Centres in Harrogate I would not have been given this life changing opportunity and certainly wouldn’t be back to full operational duties at work.
I would recommend to any officer to contribute to the Charity and look to use the facility. It certainly helped me, the whole facility is first class.”
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