Celebrating our Mental Health Team achievements on the national stage
Congratulations to the Nottingham West PCN Mental Health Team, who just missed out on two prestigious national Health Service Journal Awards (HSJ awards) in November.
The team were finalists in the Mental Health Innovation of the Year and Primary and Community Care Innovation of the Year categories and were delighted to have received such high recognition for their work.
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.
As part of their work, the PCN Mental Health Team deliver 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.
The enhanced access ADHD screening groups have so far supported 60 local people with around 50 resulting onward referrals to specialist care. These help people to access care that should make a real difference to their day-to-day lives.
Catherine Seals, PCN Mental Health Team Lead / Mental Health Occupational Therapist, said: “It was hugely exciting for the PCN team to have this national recognition for our innovative working practices and the support we offer to local people, working with partners including Nottinghamshire Healthcare. While we didn’t take the award on the night, we are still very proud of all our team and the work we do.”
Dr Emma Shapiro, GP at The Manor Surgery, Beeston, and PCN Neighbourhood Lead for Beeston added: “These awards offered an excellent opportunity for local primary care to celebrate and share the work of our skilled mental health colleagues. Through them, we are proud to provide a non-pharmacological approach to mental health and wellbeing.”
Find out more about our shortlisted entries here.
From left to right are Pauline Clarke – Care Co-ordinator Lead, Steve Murdock – PCN Digital Transformation Lead, Helena Riley – Mental Health Practitioner, Louis Minney – Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach, Sophie Thomas – PCN Care Co-ordinator, Catherine Seals – PCN Mental Health Team Lead, Emma Shapiro – Beeston Neighbourhood Lead/GP The Manor Surgery, Amelia Thayer – Mental Health Occupational Therapist, Erin Cartwright – Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach, and Nikita Kaur – Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach