Local MP Urges Minister to Visit Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, presses the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, Dame Diana Johnson MP to visit the Police Treatment Centre, located in his constituency.

Having visited the Centre himself at the end of last year, Tom witnessed first-hand the outstanding work being done to support the physical and mental wellbeing of ill and injured police officers. He is now calling on the Minister to see the facility for herself and recognise its vital contribution to policing and officer wellbeing. 

The Harrogate-based Centre, together with its sister site in Perthshire, provides critical rehabilitation and mental health services to serving and retired police officers across the UK. As a long-established police charity, it plays a unique and essential role in helping both serving and retired officers recover and return to full health. 

During his visit, Tom was given a tour of the Centre by CEO Patrick Cairns and was deeply impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities and the care taken by staff to ensure the best support is provided for the officers. 

Despite being the only facility of its kind in England, the Harrogate Centre has yet to receive a visit from a senior government minister. Patrick is keen to build a strong and productive relationship with this government, following limited engagement from the previous one.

The Minister had originally planned to visit in February but had to cancel the visit and it has yet to be rescheduled. 

In a letter to the Minister, Tom stressed the importance of seeing the Centre's work first-hand and urged her to prioritise scheduling a visit. He believes that as Minister for Policing, Dame Diana Johnson MP should take the opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by police officers recovering from injury or trauma—and the exceptional support provided by this facility.

Commenting, Tom said: 

‘I strongly urge the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire to visit the Police Treatment Centre and see first-hand the exceptional work being carried out to support our police officers.

‘When I visited last year, I was struck by just how transformative the Centre’s care is—providing both physical rehabilitation and mental health support to those who serve and protect us.

‘As the only facility of its kind in England, it plays a vital role in officer recovery and wellbeing. A visit from the Minister for Policing would send a clear message that the wellbeing of our police officers is a national priority.’ 

ENDS