Mental Health Team shortlisted for two more prestigious national awards
Congratulations to our Mental Health Team, who have been shortlisted in two categories of the prestigious national Health Service Journal Awards (HSJ awards).
The team is in the running for Mental Health Innovation of the Year and Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year.
The shortlistings follow closely on from the team’s win in the Most Innovative Practice category at this year’s Occupational Therapy Excellence Awards in June.
Mental Health Innovation of the Year
The shortlisting for Mental Health Innovation of the Year recognises the PCN’s work to support better access to mental health care. The Mental Health Team has evolved and expanded in recent years to include Mental Health Practitioners (employed jointly with Nottinghamshire Healthcare), Mental Health Occupational Therapists and Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaches.
Catherine Seals, PCN Mental Health Team Lead / Mental Health Occupational Therapist, said “Our innovative model delivers early, holistic mental health interventions within GP practices, meaning care is accessible close to people’s homes and in more familiar environments. We provide tailored support to improve individual wellbeing, leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced referrals to Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s secondary care, and a proactive, empowering approach to mental health—setting a benchmark for primary care mental health services.”
Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year
The shortlisting for Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year recognises the PCN’s work ‘Beyond the Appointment: A Group Approach to Mental Health and Neurodiversity’. The PCN Mental Health Team is delivering group sessions that provide education, practical tools for symptom management, and a supportive community for individuals with mental health and neurodiversity challenges. The programme includes the Mental Health Skills Group, ADHD/Autism Screening Groups, and Neurodiversity Workshops.
Catherine added: “Our aim with the groups is to promote self-management through education and peer support for patients, enabling them to manage their mental health in a more sustainable way. Through the groups, we are creating a shared learning environment that encourages people to speak openly in a comfortable environment, to share coping strategies, and learn from one another’s experiences.”
‘Making a difference to people’s lives’
Catherine Seals, PCN Mental Health Team Lead / Mental Health Occupational Therapist, said: “We’re very excited to be receiving such a high level of recognition for Nottingham West PCN’s mental health innovation. It’s such an important part of supporting the wellbeing of our local communities and we’re delighted to be making such a difference to people’s lives.”
Dr Emma Shapiro, GP at The Manor Surgery, Beeston and PCN Neighbourhood Lead for Beeston added: “This service offers so much within primary care and within communities. It’s wonderful to have a such a range of skilled mental health colleagues on hand to support both practice teams and patients and we are proud to provide a non-pharmacological approach to mental health and wellbeing. As a GP, I am reassured that my patients can have access, within our practice, to support for any challenges they may face with mental health and neurodiversity.”
The award winners will be announced on 20 November 2025.
From Nottingham West PCN at the recent Occupational Therapy Excellence Awards are, from left, Nikita Kaur – Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach, Catherine Seals, Amelia Thayer – Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Tracey Colman – PCN Business Manager