So that’s where my money goes
After my recent blog about the dangers of working on the streets, it was nice to see a little-reported story about Prince Charles visiting Flint House, the police convalescent home.
Flint House enables injured or ill officers to have a break & receive some medical treatment in the form of physiotherapy. It is paid for from monthly contributions by serving officers. I’ve been paying towards it for 30 nearly years. The time I had cause to use it I didn’t because I felt guilty about swanning off for two weeks leaving my wife & child at home. From the reports of mates who have availed themselves of the services available, I have regretted turning down the opportunity ever since.
The Prince acknowledged during his visit that the police are facing ‘alarming’ levels of violence on the streets. 90% of officers will receive some form of injury due to violence during their career. More than 3000 officers were admitted to Flint House last year & it has running costs of some £3.8 million a year, none of which comes from public funds.
The Prince visited patients & staff at the centre during his visit. He said, “The threat so many officers are facing in the streets day in day out, is really quite remarkable & often alarming, especially with the kind of violence they are having to put up with & the kind of injuries they are receiving in the line of duty.
“I know quite a large number suffer depression. The fact that there are wonderful staff here to put them back together again, even in a fortnight, is one of the great elements of this centre. It emphasises how much we owe to all our policemen & women in all our towns & cities. They are the thin blue line.â€
Jamie the Wannabe says:
Thats fantastic, and thanks for bringing it to our attention. Planning to send off a few squids to them shortly!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:48 am
MarkUK says:
Are visits from Big Ears compulsory?
Does he try to tell the staff their jobs? They are, after all, scientists and/or technicians who obviously know less than an English graduate about what they are doing.
I wish the place well, but I’m afraid their Royal visitor always seems a few buttons short of a uniform (though he has plenty!).
August 24th, 2008 at 10:12 pm