MEDICAL RETIREMENT
THE SUPPORT THAT NEVER STOPS
The journey of a South Wales frontline response sergeant, who was medically retired, demonstrates how Fed reps continue to help officers long after they stand down from active duty
The South Wales frontline response sergeant, who wishes to remain anonymous at this stage, has been left with significant mental health issues, due to a culmination of work-related incidents. Due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), he is sadly unable to put on a police unform, or be around colleagues in uniform, without being impacted physically and mentally.
He was initially signed off with stress, and upon his return, the force found him a back-office role where he would not be exposed to the risks, but the sight of officers in uniform made him ill. Under the care of NHS psychiatrists and with support from South Wales Police Federation rep, and ill health retirement liaison officer, Leigh Godfrey, the process towards medical retirement began. “He was an excellent cop and a very good sergeant, he loved the job, but he suffered with his mental health for a few years,” said Leigh. “We had a good chat and he told me he was being put ‘back on response’ - it was apparent he was not in a position to do so.” His case was eventually put forward to the Selected Medical Practitioner (SMP), who agreed he was disabled, but did not find him to be permanently disabled, which is required for retiring with the right pension entitlements. “The ill health retirement process is really difficult for anyone to go through, especially for those suffering with mental health issues. Even the SMP process itself is tough as it’s a personal examination of your own medical conditions,” Leigh explained. “Taking the officer to the SMP, he was incredibly anxious. He broke down into tears and he had to walk out - this is the impact the ill health retirement process has on our members.”
The process allowed him to apply
to the Police Medical Appeal Board (PMAB), known as a Regulation 32 review, where the South Wales Police Federation applied for substantial funding from the PFEW HQ claims department, which approved a professor in mental health disorders. New evidence was submitted to the
SMP, hoping that would negate the need to go to a PMAB which is a difficult process for members, but the case to prove he is permanently disabled was still dismissed despite evidence being submitted by a leading medical expert. He then had to face the PMAB to successfully appeal the decision. Leigh added that “the support our reps offer to members goes beyond professional representation, because you’re almost a councillor, certainly a
friend, taking them through the process.” “What I would ask forces and pension authorities to remember is there is a person at the end of this policy, which is arduous and damages people who are going through it. “We gave them the medical evidence
after securing funding for an expert professor who made a powerful comment. He said in his report: ‘I cannot imagine that future rehabilitation into the police force would be considered seriously now, or in the future, by any consultant psychiatrist, or indeed any reasonable medical practitioner’. “Unfortunately, the officer has had to go through this really distressing process to get that assessment.” Leigh continues to offer a listening ear and provides support to the officer as he awaits an injury on duty assessment.
41 | POLICE | AUGUST 2022
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