The Duke of York has today (22 May 2013) opened the refurbished St Andrews Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate.
St Andrews completed refurbishment includes a new Physiotherapy Dept. new Rehab Gym, new changing rooms as well as improving accessibility and patient facilities. The cost of nearly £3 million was met by fundraising including a £1.3 million Home Office grant and a £250,000 grant from the Police Dependants Trust.
A target of £1m for the final phase of refurbishment, the Duke of York Wing, was set in January 2012 and this was heavily supported in May 2012 with the announcement of a further Home Office grant of £500,000 which stipulated all the work must be completed by the end of March 2013 and this was achieved.
The refurbishment has brought 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. Research has shown that bright and modern surroundings help patients improve their health more quickly and this is borne out by frequent very positive feedback from patients about the overall standard of accommodation.
Michael Baxter QPM, Chief Executive said:
It has been tough raising such a large amount in such a difficult economic climate. We are extremely grateful to the organisations and individuals who have contributed to the refurbishment and for their support of injured and ill police officers.
The 23 bedrooms in the 1980’s Duke of York were outdated and poorly designed for modern use and now all the bedrooms have been refurbished to include modern en-suite shower rooms. The windows have been replaced and even the patients’ lounge has received a makeover with new modern furniture designed to help patients with back injuries.
His Royal Highness has been Patron of the charity since 1985 when he agreed to be the Patron for The Police Treatment Centres.
Police work can be dangerous often causing injury, even fatalities, among police officers. Stress levels are high with more and more police officers suffering stress, anxiety and depression. There is little wonder when statistics show that a police officer is assaulted every 20 minutes. Consequently The Police Treatment Centres treat 4000 injured and ill police officers every year with intensive physiotherapy and other support.
