Name: Police Treatment Centres

Background

Startling statistics compiled by police forces across England, Scotland and Wales reveal that approximately 70 Police Officers a day are assaulted in the line of duty, equating to one every 20 minutes. Purposely designed Police Treatment Centres (PTCs) have been established across the UK, to help rehabilitate officers injured in the line of duty.

There are currently two PTCs, one in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and the other at Castlebrae in Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland. Together, the centres care for more than 4,000 serving and retired police officers every year, providing intensive residential physiotherapy to ensure injured officers are back on duty, serving the public and the communities in which they live, as soon as possible.

The centres are operated as a charity, with each serving officer, across all police forces, including British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the Ministry of Defence Police, currently donating approximately £1.30 a week to their upkeep.

How did the Blue Lamp Foundation help?

The Blue Lamp Foundation has donated £60,000 to help in the continued refurbishment and work of the PTCs. The donation, when combined with the donations of officers themselves, and a £500,000 donation from the Home Office, plus a £250,000 grant from the Police Dependents Trust, has helped to meet £1.3 million of the total £3 million cost of refurbishment of the Harrogate PTC, bringing its centres facilities up to modern standards.

This money has helped to bring the 23 bedrooms and the patients Blue Lounge, up to modern standards, with two rooms especially designed and refurbished for patients with poor mobility and bariatric issues.

The impact this help had on the individual’s life

Research, in hospitals across the UK, has shown that bright and modern surroundings help patients improve their health more quickly. This has been borne out by the very positive feedback received from patients about their recovery and the overall standards of the facilities in which they are making this recovery.

The 23 bedrooms at the Harrogate PTC were outdated and poorly designed and have now been refurbished to include modern en-suite shower rooms. The rooms also all have new windows, making them warmer and brighter. The patient’s lounge has received a total makeover, including new specialist furniture specifically targeted at helping police officers who have suffered back injuries.

The future

As with most charities, the PTCs rely on regular donations to fund their continued work. While 88% of its funding comes from serving police officers, it is feared that cuts in the number of serving officers looks certain to affect the funding of the PTCs, with a shortfall of approximately £500,000 predicted. The PTCs need to look at new revenue streams and donations to fund their work in the future, helping injured officers back onto the beat.

As well as funds to meet the day-to-day running costs of the centres, more funding is required to fund capital requirements. Demand on the services of the PTCs centres in Harrogate and Scotland, continue to grow and there is increasing pressure on the facilities, with other areas in need of modernisation and refurbishment to better meet the needs if the officers attending for vital treatment.

PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation continues to work closely with the PTC in Harrogate and has referred officers who have contacted the charity for support and assistance after being injured in the line of duty.  The Foundation has been able to fund a stay at the Centre for these officers who were not covered by membership of the Police Federation.

HRH The Duke of York officially reopened the refurbished facilities in 2013 and heard about the support of The Blue Lamp Foundation as part of that visit.

Name: Nick Barman

Background 

48-year-old Nick Barman is a Hampshire Police Constable, working as a Road Policing Unit (RPU), who has been with the force for 23 years. He is based at Whitchurch, in North Hampshire.

Whilst responding to an accident on the A31 at Four Marks, near Alton in Hampshire, on February 4, 2013, an Audi car he was overtaking, swerved without warning, clipping the front of the BMW R1200 motorcycle Nick was riding. At the time of the collision he was travelling at a speed of 130 mph. Unable to regain control of the motorcycle, Nick hit a storm drain in the central reservation, causing the bike to cartwheel.

Nick was thrown into the handlebars, breaking both legs and his knees, before being catapulted through the air for approximately 300 feet, travelling over the heads of the paramedics tending to the accident that Nick was en route to. On landing, the motorcycle skidded some distance before colliding with a stationery vehicle. As a result, Nick broke his left ankle, his pelvis in four places, his little toe, and his lower back. On collision with the stationery vehicle, Nick broke his left shoulder and several ribs, collapsing his left lung and stopping his heart. Nick was revived by Paramedics attending the original accident. The Southampton Air Ambulance flew to Southampton General Hospital (SGH) to collect a surgeon, who was flown back to the scene to operate at the roadside to restart Nick’s heart and stabilise him, before he was airlifted to SGH, where he was put on a life support machine in ICU.

Initially Nick was expected to be a double amputee, and to never walk again because the injuries to his legs were so severe. However, 30 hours of surgery, and equipment which the Blue Lamp Foundation helped to fund, has rebuilt Nick’s broken body and he is now on the road to a full recovery, although that is expected to take at least another two years.

How did the Blue Lamp Foundation help?

Nick found the Blue Lamp Foundation through the charity’s local champion in Basingstoke. Initially he dismissed the information he was provided with because he was at too early a stage in his recovery. As Nick is 6ft 2inches tall, his pride would not allow him to sit in a wheelchair. He wanted to be out and about, and didn’t want to rely on the help of others to bathe or change him. After revisiting the help available from the Blue Lamp Foundation, Nick decided to apply for a grant from them to aid his rehabilitation.

How was the help delivered? 

The Blue Lamp Foundation approved a grant of £884 to pay for a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine and a bath lift to help Nick in and out of the bath. CPM machines, in particular, are used in the first phase of rehabilitation, following soft tissue surgical procedures. A CPM machine helps to control post-operative pain, reduce inflammation, provide passive motion in a specific plane of movement, and protect the healing repair of the tissue. The device constantly moves the affected joint through a controlled range of movement. It also allows for the improved movement of synovial fluid to allow for better diffusion of nutrients into damaged cartilage and the diffusion of other materials out, such as blood and waste products. It also helps to limit the formation of fibrous scar tissue in the joint, which can decrease the range of future motion.

The impact this help had on the individual’s life 

Following his accident, Nick lost all the muscles in his legs, with ligaments taken from other parts of his body to turn into new muscle. Before the award of the grant from the Blue Lamp Foundation, Nick was washing at the kitchen sink and had to travel to his girlfriend’s grandmother’s house if he wanted to shower.

The use of the CPM equipment, in particular, has really benefitted Nick, especially after his latest bout of surgery, to get his muscles working again. This, combined with his passion for his job, is driving him to get back to as normal a life as he can. He is now walking with the aid of leg braces and a crutch, something the trauma surgeons initially thought would be impossible.

The future 

Nick has undergone what he has called “the longest six months of my life.” He requires future surgery for his injuries, with his latest operation requiring 11 weeks of recovery. Whilst this has set him back, overall, it should improve his future recovery. He hopes to make a full recovery, and to one day, injuries permitting, to return to the force as a frontline officer, and to even return to the saddle of a motorcycle.

Name: Fire Fighters Charity

Background

The Fire Fighters Charity was established in 1943 to help wounded fire fighters and support their families during World War II. Its basic premise is to help fire fighters who put their lives on the line every day to save lives. It supports injured firefighters, and in the result of their death, their dependents. It provides help to fire fighters when they need to recover from injury, surgery and illness, so they can return back to serving and protecting local communities as soon as possible.

The Blue Lamp Foundation was given the all clear by the Charities Commission to extend its work to help all injured emergency service personnel and their families. The charity not only provides financial assistance, but can also support other UK-based emergency services welfare organisations, including organisations like the Fire Fighters Charity, to utilise its infrastructure and resources.

How did the Blue Lamp Foundation help?

The Blue Lamp Foundation has provided £60,000 of funding to help the Fire Fighters Charity to develop a programme of support that will allow it to provide an even higher quality of service to an increasing number of fire fighters and their families.

In particular it the funding will help in the development of new psychological support, in particular mental health and emotional well-being, as often the scars of a fire are emotional and not physical.

How the help was delivered?

The donation from the Blue Lamp Foundation has been put to immediate use, in the development of the new programme of emotional support. The Fire Fighters Charity provides a range of advice on the emotional needs of its members, and the psychological effects of fire. In particular it has developed a programme, including a number of factsheets, to help its members deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and issues around self-harm.

To aid in emotional recuperation it also provides one and two week breaks at its specialist centres in Devon, Cumbria and West Sussex, designed to help those who have suffered injury, illness, stress or bereavement as the result of fire. The centre in Cumbria, also provides on-site nursing care, for more severe cases.

All rehabilitation programmes are adapted according to the client’s needs. Neurological physiotherapy, dealing with conditions affecting the nervous system, is also provided to those who require it.

The impact this help had on the individual’s life

The Fire Fighters Charity receives no Government funding, and is therefore totally reliant on donations from its supporters. It currently costs approximately £9 million a year to keep the charity running.

The charity has extended its services, making them available seven days a week, at its centres across the UK. It also provides a 12-day rolling programme of support, enabling service users to choose four, seven or ten day services. This allows for a bespoke programme of support to meet individual need. Rehabilitation at any of the specialist centres is targeted at the whole person, realising that the way a person feels is just as important as the way they look, or any physical disability.

Numerous beneficiaries have taken advantage of the support available from the psychological therapy team, while attending the centres for physical rehabilitation. On average the Fire Fighters Charity help approximately 2,500 fire fighters and their families recuperate from illness, stressful situations or bereavement, each year.

A survey conducted by the Fire Fighters Charity, gathered responses from more than 1,000 beneficiaries, who agreed that the charity had made a positive impact on all aspects of their lives.

The future

The Fire Fighters Charity continues to work to improve the lives of its beneficiaries and their families. It continues to develop new services, including the development of psychological and emotional services mentioned in this case study. It will continue to target support at individual need, to get the most out of its staff and the facilities which it operates.

An intensive internal review has led the Fire Fighters Charity to a greater understanding of nursing and personal care support in facilitating access to rehabilitation. As a result plans are being developed to create recuperation service that is responsive to real need, providing a more active and positive experience in supporting its beneficiaries. The charity is also developing greater community based and outreach support targeted at harder to reach groups and beneficiaries.

Names: PC Alastair Hinchliff, PC Andrew Harding and PC Andrew Robb

Background

Alastair Hinchliff, Andrew Harding and Andrew Robb from the Metropolitan Police Force, were among five Police Officers called to an incident in Kenton Road, Harrow, on a winter’s morning in November 19,  2011, following reports that a man was acting suspiciously and shouting at members of the public.

After arriving on the scene, the officers tried to speak to the man, who was talking to himself and calling for the help of God. The officers attempted to restrain the man, but he broke free and, as other officers started to attend the incident, he started to throw things, including cans of food and a breeze block at the officers.

Other officers arriving at the scene used CS spray and baton rounds to incapacitate the man, but they had little effect. The man made his way towards a Halal Butchers shop. When the man moved to the rear of the shop, he was temporarily held against a wall by a member of staff. With the life of a member of the public under now under threat, the three officers were amongst those who entered the shop with short shields, with the intention of containing the man in the shop.

The man armed himself with an eight-inch fillet knife and attacked the officers. PC Harding fell onto his back and was stabbed nine times by the man, with one of the strikes entering his stomach, causing life threatening injuries. Assisting their colleague, PC Robb was stabbed in the leg, and PC Hincliff was stabbed in the neck, face and arm. Other officers entering the shop were eventually able to overpower the assailant.

As a result of the attack, PC Harding received a stab wound to his head, seven to his stab-proof vest and one to his side, which required immediate emergency surgery at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, resulting in the removal of seven inches of the officer’s bowel, which had been perforated by the knife.

PC Robb was stabbed twice in the left leg, causing two wounds six inches in length, for which the officer required numerous hospital visits and extensive physiotherapy.

PC Hincliff suffered six stab wounds, including to his left index finger, left wrist, left bicep, upper lip, left temple and jaw, and his upper head, which resulted in a one week stay in the Trauma ward at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington.

How did the Blue Lamp Foundation help?

• PC Andrew Harding: The officer lives in High Wycombe, and the majority of his family, including his mother and sister, live in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. They incurred train travel costs to visit him in hospital of more than £600. As a result of a claim to the Blue Lamp Foundation, PC Harding received a £480 grant to reimburse the travel expenses of his family.

• PC Andrew Robb: The officer applied to the Blue Lamp Foundation for a grant of £100 to cover the costs of attending hospital visits, including visits to St Mary’s in Paddington and St Thomas’ in South London, from his home in Hendon, and a commendation ceremony for the incident (approximately 40 journeys), which was attended by the officer and his parents.

• PC Alastair Hincliff:  The officer applied to the Blue Lamp Foundation for a grant of £386.91 towards the cost of travel and subsistence costs, incurred by his parents and sister, who visited the injured officer repeatedly, during his stay on the Trauma ward at St Mary’s Hospital. 

The impact this help had on the individual’s life

As a result of the grants approved by the Blue Lamp Foundation, the three officer’s recovery was aided by the constant support of their families, which was made possible by the financial support received from the charity.

On his application, PC Hincliff wrote: “Their (his family) caring nature and endless support meant a lot to me in the weeks following the incident and has ultimately helped me to deal with the whole incident.”

Despite PC Harding failing to submit his claim within a 90 day cut off period for claims following the incident, the Blue Lamp Foundation still contributed more than three quarters of the total costs applied for (£480). PC Harding wrote on his claim form at the time: “Your charity does fantastic work, and money raised for my injuries, along with my colleagues, has been donated to your cause. I hope that you are able to help my family, who were left out of pocket to see me whilst I was recovering, but I understand fully that the 90 day claim time has elapsed.”

The future

All the officers made good recoveries, thanks to the intervention of medical staff at the time of the incident, and in the months following. The three injured officers, along with others attending the scene, were awarded the Police Federation London region Police Bravery Award for their role in apprehending the suspect, who was remanded to Broadmoor Hospital.

Name: Police Support Officer M

Background

A 36-year-old Police Support Officer who holds a role with Essex Police and is also a member of the Control Room staff at a busy London Airport deals with managing emergency (999) and non-emergency (101) calls and the deployment of police officers.

PSO M has also been a Special Constable since 2007, patrolling the streets of Essex and assisting regular police officers in their roles.

Whilst carrying out this role, in September 2012, PSO M and a colleague arrested a man suspected of assaulting a member of the public. During this arrest, the suspect attacked both constables. PSO M received a blow to his leg, the force of which broke it in several places, and required surgery. However, PSO M had to wait two weeks for the swelling to go down, before surgeons could operate, putting pins in his leg and a plate in his foot to keep the bones in place. PSO M returned to his home after a week in hospital, in plaster. He remained in plaster for 12 weeks, until February 2013, when the plaster and pins were removed.

How did the Blue Lamp Foundation help?

PSO M was keen to undertake a course of intensive physiotherapy to aid his recovery. As this treatment can cost upwards of £60 per hour, PSO M was keen to find some financial aid to help him pay for this. Whilst filling out his compensation forms, PSO M came across the Blue Lamp Foundation and submitted a grant application to help him pay for his intensive physiotherapy. Through the Blue Lamp’s relationship with the Police Treatment Centres, which provide intensive physiotherapy to injured police officers, the Foundation’s Trustees awarded PSO M a grant to pay for PSO M to attend the Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate for two weeks.

How the help was delivered?

Once the grant was approved, PSO M was booked into the Harrogate Police Treatment Centre. PSO M was driven from his home to the centre in Harrogate, in Mid-March this year, to undertake a course of police specific physiotherapy and rehabilitation.  During his stay in Harrogate, PSO M had physiotherapy every day, and was able to use the gym and specialist hydrotherapy pool, which allowed PSO M to undertake specific non-weight bearing exercise. He was also provided with advice on building up his strength and fitness.

The impact this help had on the individual’s life

PSO M was grateful for the help he was provided with, which allowed him to receive a course of intensive treatment to help him build his strength and confidence and to help him feel normal again.

The future

The excellent facilities, made available by the Blue Lamp Foundation, have helped given PSO M the opportunity to start looking forward to the future, and a return to work.

Name: John Eames

Background

40-year-old John Eames is a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service, based in Burton, Staffordshire. He has been with the ambulance service for approximately ten years.

John was working a 12-hour shift in February, 2011, when the ambulance he was travelling in was in collision with a Polish lorry, which had crossed onto the wrong side of the road.

John received horrific leg injuries as a result of the accident, spending almost six months in two separate hospitals following the incident, undergoing four separate operations to repair his shattered legs.

How did the Blue Lamp Foundation help?

John spent a total of 22 weeks in hospital, initially at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, before being transferred to the Queen’s Hospital in Burton for further rehabilitation, as his home was unsuitable for a wheelchair.

John was awarded a £2,500 grant from the Blue Lamp Foundation to pay for adaptations to be made to his home, including the installation of a first floor bathroom. He was the first recipient of a grant from the charity, in June 2011, receiving his grant cheque from the charity’s founder PC David Rathband.

How the help was delivered?

While John was in hospital, work got underway to modify the house, for wheelchair use, so that he was able to return home and continue his recovery in familiar surroundings. The paramedic had Ilizarov frames attached to his legs, using wires and screws to support the bones during the healing process, which limited his mobility.

The impact this help had on the individual’s life

John’s life, and that of his wife Sarah, was transformed by the accident. Sarah, a care manager with a nursing background, was provided with practical advice on how to care for John at home, including how to look after the Ilizarov frames and keep the pin sites clean to reduce the risk of infection.

The future

22 weeks after his accident, John was able to return home, thanks to the adaptions to his home, with the help of the grant funding from the Blue Lamp Foundation.

Since receiving help from the Foundation, John has returned to work, and has become one of the charity’s champions. These champions are a network of serving police, fire and ambulance service personnel who actively fundraise and raise awareness of the financial support available to injured emergency services personnel, from the Blue Lamp Foundation.

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