Flint House 

A retired officers journey

 

The below article has been written by Mr. Howard Cooper

 

 A week at Flint House, Police Rehabilitation Centre, Goring-on-Thames As some of you may remember I fell off my pedal cycle back in August, 2014 and spent a couple of weeks in hospital after a hip replacement operation. It was suggested I apply to spend a period of convalescence at the Police Rehabilitation Centre at Goring-on-Thames, near Reading. 

 

On a Sunday, during January I arrived at Flint House and reported to reception. I was greeted by very friendly staff and directed to my room. It was a very pleasant room with a single bed, en suite shower, television, wardrobe and tea/coffee making facilities. After unpacking my two suitcases, far too much to take and were totally unnecessary (I had the thought, if in doubt pack it). I went to the ground floor to have a look around. I bumped into a lady member of the gym staff, who gave me a guided tour. 

 

There was a gym, a physiotherapy room with about twenty odd beds, the swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, spa, changing rooms and showers. She then took me to another gymnasium, past a reading room, where daily papers were delivered. In the gym there were all the facilities you could think of, running/walking machines, cycling machines, a rowing machine, press bench, weights, multi gym, etc. 

 

6pm – dinner – this evening, soup, roast pork dinner – after that was a welcoming meeting in the Quiet Room, then into the bar until 10.30 – to bed. 

 

Monday about 7.30am arise – breakfast, between 7.30 and 9.0am. I remember this one was cereals, fruit juice, followed by hot smoked salmon and scrambled egg and coffee or tea. 9.30 – met my physiotherapist, Lucy, as it so happens she was a grand-daughter and daughter of one of our local Cardiff solicitors. After taking details of my ailment, she decided what treatment I required and placed me on the notice boards accordingly. The rest of the morning was mine and spent it in the lounge where I met various male and female serving and retired officers, whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. 12noon – lunch time. Again soup (these soups were home made and delicious), followed by whatever was on the menu (a choice of two) or salad. I generally chose the salad, which was a choice of various items, couscous, pasta, rice, greens and meats, etc. followed by a sweet. 2pm – I went to balancing classes – trying to keep my balance whilst standing on rubber mats/cones and trying to do things such as throwing hoops whilst keeping your balance. I wasn’t very good with that and was helped by the instructor or another patient, from the Met. who was about 6foot 5inch and wore size 13 trainers. 3.30 – went to the swimming pool – various exercises under instruction in the pool and after did a few lengths swimming (found out I could still swim after all). After that I went to the main gym and did a few miles on the bike machine and tried out other exercises, until it closed at 5o’clock. Went to the lounge for cup of coffee and chat. 6pm – dinner – another delicious soup, followed by Hungarian Goulash, although there were other choices, such as salad, etc. 8pm – went to the bar where we had a quiz, good fun and our team ended in fourth place, so no prize. Bar finished 11pm and so to bed. 

 

Next day, Tuesday – similar to Monday, and following few days, but menus changed – but up to the same excellent standard, again to physio, balancing classes and swimming exercises and left to my own devices about what to do during the day. I did choose to go to the gym on various occasions and did a fair few miles on the bike machine over the next few days. 

 

From the Sunday to the Friday the stay was more than excellent, the accommodation, the food, the facilities, the staff, whether it be catering, physio, instructors, nursing, housekeepers were all excellent and were all willing to make you welcome. There were various people there who were suffering from different complaints and it appeared each were catered for. 

 

Someone said to me, before I went, about it being like a five star hotel – I would say it was more like a six or seven star and if anyone has any thoughts about going there I would recommend it 100per cent – the facilities and staff were excellent. Something for retirees to consider.