Testimonials
Mrs Gill Bodell
I have recently used the Police Healthcare Scheme in order to have spinal surgery. I chose to use the Edgbaston Hospital, Somerset Road, Birmingham, and my surgery took place on 24th October 2011.
I was so impressed with every aspect of my surgery and aftercare. The staff excelled my expectations, nothing was too much trouble. They were very friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. The surgical team really put me at ease and reassured me of the concerns I had. Mr Wasserberg my surgeon had come highly recommended by a friend and proved to be outstanding.
The hospital was in my opinion, extremely clean and well presented and the meals were of a high standard.
I think it is very important that you receive feedback on how the hospitals are performing, whether it be good or bad.
I would recommend this hospital without any reservations.
I would also like to thank yourselves for the very helpful, trouble free and user friendly system that you operate. Prior to joining the PHS my husband and I were members of BUPA and the system you have in place is far better.
Jim Gooderidge
I just wanted to say 'Thanks' for all of the help and support which you and the Medical Scheme provided Jayne and myself. It was a really worrying time for Jayne and to be told that a scan and specialist appointment could be at least a month wait through he NHS was even more distressing.
We approached the Scheme who arranged a consultant appointment within 2 days, an initial scan took place the same day and a further test two days later.
The follow-up consultation was complete within a week from the initial appointment and I am pleased to say that it was all good news. I can't imagine if we had had to wait for a month how much worry and upset this would have caused.
This is why we pay our subscriptions – for moments like this! We had a fantastic service and care from your office and a speedy response from the hospital
We are both very grateful
Dennis Hodson
Matthew had his operation on Saturday and all went well. I wanted to drop you a line to thank both Rachel and Helen for all their help and support throughout this process.
I very much appreciated the services of the Benevolent Fund, Healthcare Scheme etc. whilst I was serving and now I'm in retirement, and working elsewhere, I can even better appreciate the excellent service you all provide.
Rachel and Helen couldn't have been more helpful throughout this process and their compassion and professionalism do them both enormous credit. Please feel free to share this with whoever you see fit and thank you again for all your help. Best Wishes.
Timothy Davies
Ten Months ago, you may recall, I came to your offices, rather upset after my wife had been diagnosed as having an ovarian tumor. I made several visits and I am sure that my crisis was just routine as you all were most patient and understanding, often repeating what they had previously told me.
However, after ten months of care under Mr Simon Radley at the Priory Hospital, Brenda was discharged on 8th October. Thankfully there was no need for surgery and we hope that the condition will not reoccur.
Please convey our grateful thanks to all your colleagues. You are truly a caring service.
John Gash
I would like to draw your attention to the very excellent treatment I have received at the West Midlands Hospital through the Police Healthcare Scheme. I have been through a very, very hard year. In May 2009 it was found I had bowel cancer and on 30th June I underwent major surgery at the hospital. Treatment I received was absolutely first class, the attention was great with nothing too much trouble. The staff were all most helpful and very kind, they treated me more as a friend than a patient. I left after 10 days with an ileostomy and a bag fitted.
I then underwent six months of chemotherapy from September 09 to March 10 twice a week at Russells Hall Hospital through the NHS and having come through this I was admitted once more to the West Midlands Hospital for reversal of ileostomy on 27 April 2010. I was there for 10 days and once again the treatment was five star, I could not have been better looked after. I was so pleased with all that they did for me I gave a thank you card and donation to the staff fund on leaving. On arriving home I found a thank you letter from Gloria Kerrigan, the General Manager of West Midlands Hospital, waiting for me.
I have in the past been to the Nuffield Hospital in Wolverhampton and I can say that the West Midlands Hospital is much better.
For 20 years I was Chairman of the Dudley & District Branch of NARPO. I am now President. I have always recommended the Police Healthcare Scheme and now I know I was correct to do so. I have this week received two vouchers from the Benevolent Fund and I would like to express my thanks for these also.
Mr Selwyn Bowen
In March of this year I required tests for a suspected heart condition. These were carried out at the Priory Hospital, Birmingham and funded by the Police Healthcare Scheme. The tests proved I needed a quadruple bypass operation and again I was admitted to the Priory Hospital for the operation, again funded by our wonderful healthcare scheme. The operation was a success and I am on the road to recovery. Whether this would be the case had I had to go on the NHS waiting list, I don’t know.
I write this letter to congratulate you all on the speedy, very helpful and kind way I was treated by your staff and also your choice of hospitals the scheme uses. My treatment in the Priory was first-class and again, their staff were kindness itself and the treatment five-star.
Every January when the scheme contributions rise, like I suspect many members, myself included say “I cannot afford this any longer” and have a general moan about cost etc and consider withdrawing from the scheme. It is only when faced with a life threatening condition that realise you can afford it, you must afford it, for you never know what life is going to throw at you. It is a very, very good scheme, much respected by Doctors. Anyone joining the West Midlands Police must join the scheme. As I have already said, “you never know” it is worth it, believe me.
Paul and Sharon Evans
“Just a short note to say a big thank you to you and your colleagues for the help and advice given to us when making the arrangements for Jack's treatment.
The whole process was dealt with so quickly and efficeintly that it seemed no time at all from the first call to you at the Healthcare office to him having surgery and getting back on his feet.
Mr Singh has been wonderful - he has successfully repaired Jack's ligament and told him that after a course of physiotherapy he can start light training again.”
Mrs Valerie Conway
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the various staff members at Guardians House with whom we spoke in the course of making the somewhat hurried arrangements for this surgery. Your help and consideration at a stressful time exemplified exactly what the scheme was originally set up to achieve. I am pleased to report that I am recovering well from the operation and am at last free of the excruciating pain I had been enduring. Thank you for all your efforts.
My Husband was one of those who originally signed up for the scheme when it was suggested all those years ago and he believes that it was the most significant step that was ever taken for the welfare of Police Officers and their families.”
Neville Walker
“I have just received your update on the PHS and felt I must write on behalf of myself and my wife to express our gratitude for such a superb service the scheme provides. We also support the decision to go in the direction you have chosen. Recently, as we oldies do, we have been comparing notes with friends who have private health cover and they are always very envious of what our scheme provides. We have had to use it occasionally and when we have it has run as smooth as clockwork and saved us a lot of pain, suffering and anxiety.”
Gary Haynes
“I know its early days into my treatment, but I just wanted to drop you a line to say how impressed I am with the Police Healthcare Scheme during my first contact. I have recently suffered a back injury which requires some investigation to establish what is causing the pain and poor mobility. I made contact with the girls in the office who verbally authorised immediate physio treatment and an MRI scan. This treatment amounts to hundreds of pounds.
I haven’t had to fill in countless claim forms or even have my doctor refer me. I am currently on sick leave and just want to get back to work. Clearly the way the Police Healthcare Scheme operates is geared up to facilitate a speedy recovery rather than being bogged down with bureaucracy causing unnecessary delays and more importantly further pain and suffering. As a Staffordshire officer I was previously with BUPA. Not only would I have to gain the “correct” authorisation and have to wait for the paperwork to be processed but I am now paying 30% less per month.
I will be recommending this scheme to my Staffordshire colleagues.”
Boyd Kelly
“I recently underwent medical treatment courtesy of the Healthcare Scheme provided by yourselves.
Throughout the whole of my dealings with your colleagues I received speedy and efficient service and would be grateful if you would pass on my thanks to the people concerned. Unfortunately my efficiency does not match theirs and I have mislaid the names of the people concerned.”
Dean Caswell
“I am writing to you in relation to the Healthcare Scheme as I wanted to bring to your attention my experience with the scheme this week.
Day 1, Sunday 10th February 2008: my partner found a lump in her breast.
Day 2, Monday 11th February 2008: my partner visited her GP who confirmed that she had a lump.
Day 3, Tuesday 12th February 2008: in the morning I contacted the scheme by telephone who gave the go-ahead for contact with a choice of hospitals for initial consultation. I then contacted the Nuffield who put us in touch with a consultant. At 16.30hours that same day we attended the Nuffield where my partner was given an ultrasound scan and also a mammogram, the radiographer stated that he thought it was just a cyst and provided x-rays and a written report.
At 19.30hours that same day we attended the Priory Hospital where we saw a consultant who was an expert in dealing with breast related issues. The consultant had already spoken to the radiographer prior to our visit in relation to the x-ray results. The consultant took a sample from my partner and confirmed that she also thought that it was just a cyst.
Day 4, Wednesday 13th February 2008: we are expecting the sample results this evening to confirm that it is just a cyst, if so, that will be the end of the episode.
I just wanted to bring this absolutely fantastic service to your attention. We realise that there is an element of luck that the consultant was working the day that we phoned and that there was an appointment available, but none the less, we are still over the moon with the rapid response we have received, particularly as it is a very sensitive and worrying issue when breast lumps are found.
Thanks once again for the scheme, we are very grateful.”
