What relevant experience do you have to perform your current role?

I have worked in mental health services in the NHS for over 20 years, and for the last 5 years led psychological therapy services in Community Teams across Kent.  Much of this work has involved developing clinical care pathways to provide a variety of evidence based clinical interventions for people with different levels of need.  In 2017, I helped set-up the first Open Dialogue service in mainstream NHS services, and sought to inform the development of the Community Mental Health Framework with principals of the model.   I have recently been appointed as the Clinical Director for Community Mental Health Transformation in Kent and Medway, and as a practicing Consultant Psychologist I have a special interest in working with people diagnosable with a ‘Personality Disorder’ and developing services to best support their needs.

What excites you about working at South East Mental Health Team?

We have a unique chance to truly transform the way mental health services are accessed and delivered.  I am therefore excited to work across the South East to share learning, ensure robust clinical governance and innovate in order to make a difference to patients, carers and staff.

What difference are you making to improve the care and health outcomes of patients or members of the public?

By engaging with patients and members of the public we are co-producing a mental health service focused on improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.  With the emergence of a more holistic, system wide approach to mental health care, barriers between primary and secondary care have begun to breakdown.  Harnessing the invaluable input that Voluntary Care Sector services provide in mental health care has also been a marked step forward in this endeavour.