RCPsych awards 2018

Medical student of the year: Konrad Wagstyl

Konrad Wagstyl is a final year MB PhD medical student at the University of Cambridge. His PhD research linked MRI brain structure and underlying cortical microstructure.

He has created an international collaborative network targeted at linking microstructural neuroanatomical work with MRI and machine learning in psychiatry. Konrad has taught school and adult groups about cutting edge research into the neuroanatomical basis of neuropsychiatric disorders.

The judges said that Konrad’s achievements are quite remarkable and agreed with his proposer that he is a truly outstanding MB PhD student, who combines exceptional motivation with dedication, creativity and hard work.

Foundation doctor of the year: Dr Beth McCausland

Dr Beth McCausland completed her Academic Foundation Programme in Psychiatry at University Hospital Southampton. She wrote a systematic review assessing specialist dementia care wards in Acute Trusts, informing her subsequent service evaluation of Dementia Care at UHS.

She was then awarded a grant from the Wessex School of Quality Improvement to develop and implement quality improvement projects using this service data.

The judges felt that Dr McCausland is an exceptional candidate excelling in all categories of her nomination. She has clear dedication to her patients and developing innovative projects to ensure quality and development in the future. In these she has excelled despite all the demands of completing her foundation programme.

Through her education activities she has become a role model for both her peers and medical students, and is an asset to her trust. She represents the values of a compassionate and empathetic doctor and we look forward to working with her as a future psychiatrist.

Core psychiatric trainee of the year: Dr Ahmed Hankir

Dr Ahmed Hankir pioneered the anti-stigma Wounded Healer programme which is an innovative method of teaching that blends the performing arts with psychiatry. Dr Hankir authored 14 publications and 4 book chapters and delivered oral presentations on his research findings in Orlando, Dublin, Cardiff, London, Glasgow, Berlin and Sydney.

Dr Hankir conducted a United Nations study on the barriers to psychiatric care for Palestine people in refugee camps in Jordan which was published in the Lancet. Under the auspices of the American Psychiatric Association Dr Hankir was commissioned by Springer to co-edit a textbook on Islamophobia and psychiatry with the former advisor to Barack Obama on Muslim mental health.

Dr Hankir impressed the judges with the breadth of achievements early in his training. He has published widely on his research interests in stigma, global and Muslim mental health. His contribution to public education is outstanding, highlighted by his Wounded Healer programme, which delivers an anti-stigma message targeted at doctors.

Higher psychiatric trainee of the year: Dr Charlotte Blewett

Dr Charlotte Blewett is a higher trainee on the South Yorkshire training scheme based in Sheffield and is passionate about encouraging others to #choosepsychiatry as a career, and improving training for Psychiatric trainees.

She developed the Enhanced Junior Doctor forum within the trust to improve working environments for junior doctors and co-founded Engage Your Mind Psychiatry a series of interactive seminars for foundation doctors and medical students to find out more about Psychiatry.

In 2017 she was elected chair of the RCPsych Psychiatric Trainees Committee leading national projects on improving training for trainees nationally and improving recruitment and retention into Psychiatry.

Dr Blewett stood out to the judges as an exceptional leader of her generation. She is an impressive clinician and role model. She has led educational innovation including human factors training and app development. Elected as Psychiatric Trainee Committee chair between 2017/18 Charlotte led important national work in recruitment and retention.

Service user / patient contributor of the year: Katy Chachou

Katy Chachou experienced Postpartum Psychosis 7 years ago and she has since been working in mental health in various arenas such as raising awareness of the illness in the media as well as educating professionals and offering peer support and hope to women who suffered as she did. She also works for Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust in their Recovery College.

The judges said, “Katy has been a tireless advocate and role model at both local and national levels for reducing stigma and improving the care of women with post-partum psychosis.

As a member of the National Strategic Co-production Group for NHS England, helping to design the new community perinatal service at Birmingham Women’s hospital and as a policy developer and trainer, Katy now gives hope to thousands of people experiencing mental illness.

Carer contributor of the year: Michelle Long

Michelle has been actively involved in promoting carers within children and young people’s mental health services since 2012. The lack of available support for carers, coupled with the loneliness and isolation she felt as a parent and carer herself, has been the driving force behind her involvement and remains the reason why she is still an advocate for carers today.

It has been her passion over the last 6 years, to ensure that future parents and carers have a better experience of services, leading to a more positive outcome for families as a whole.

The judges noted that Michelle has been a Carer Governor at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust for the past 3 years, where she has been an active member of Carers Voice meeting.

She has also been part of a review team with the Department of Health for the Mental Health Act. Michelle has been an accessible role model to mental health service professionals, patients and/or carers from Trust level through involvement with the Recovery College, as well as being directly involved in delivering training to trainees in psychiatry and other mental health professionals.

Psychiatric communicator of the year: Hellblade Developer Team

The Hellblade Developer Team comprises an unusual collaboration between the video game design studio, Ninja Theory, experts by experience from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust Recovery College and Paul Fletcher, a consultant psychiatrist and professor of health neuroscience at Cambridge University. It has been further supported by the Wellcome Trust. The game – Hellblade – arose from commitment on all sides to produce an accurate, honest and sensitive a representation of psychosis.

The judges commented that the Hellblade Developer Team have produced a video game that has won 5 videogame BATFA’s and provides a candid and honest portrayal of mental illness, presenting this in a first person experience.

Hellblade provides a compelling sense of the experience of psychosis. The incorporation of a person with psychosis as the central character and hero of the game is a major breakthrough itself in a genre that portrays negative and outdated stereotypes of mental illness.

Psychiatric trainer of the year: Dr Christopher O'Loughlin

Dr Christopher O’Loughlin took up his role as Head of School in the East of England in 2017, bringing his enthusiasm for psychiatry training, fostered whilst Training Programme Director and Director of Medical Education for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust, to the regional level. He is a strong believer in the trainee experience in training and the workplace, combining this with social media to promote recruitment to psychiatry and raise standards. He also enjoys triathlon.

The judges felt that as Head of School, Chris has revitalised psychiatric training in the East of England. From supporting individual trainees and trainers to leading the trainees' forum in setting the gold standard in supporting and valuing trainees, his dynamic, always approachable style coupled with his social media presence has created a fresh approach to psychiatric training in the region.

S N Jajoo Memorial Academic Researcher of the Year: Dr Andrea Cipriani

Dr Andrea Cipriani is NIHR Research Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. His research focuses on the evaluation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in psychiatry, mainly major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Being interested in the methodology of evidence synthesis, Dr Cipriani has now a specific focus on network meta-analysis of individual patient-level data, trying to assess the validity, breadth, structure and interpretation of this innovative statistical approach to personalise treatment in psychiatry and better inform the shared decision-making process between clinicians, patients and carers. He is the Editor-in-Chief of BMJ Evidence-Based Mental Health.

The review panel said, “Dr Cipriani is a world-leading expert in evidence-based psychiatry, producing definitive systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including developing cutting-edge methods in the field. In particular his network meta-analyses on antidepressants for major depression in adults and children have been influential and are included in guidelines in the UK as well other international guidelines.”

Specialty Doctor or Associate Specialist of the Year: Thandar Win

Dr Thandar Win is a speciality doctor based in Stockton Community team for older people and she works within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS foundation trust for over 10 years. She is passionate about improving services for older people and delivering diagnosis and management in Dementia.

Her work within the team has been instrumental achieving the target of the National Dementia Strategy. She actively contributes to research and Stockton CMHT has contributed significantly to all the trust research initiatives. She believes simplicity in life and in work and she is full time mother.

The judges were impressed with Dr Win’s commitment to her patients and colleagues, who have given her excellent feedback. Her leadership skills have had a positive impact on her service and she has been instrumental in helping her team achieve the targets of the National Dementia Strategy. She is well deserving of this award.

Psychiatrist of the year: Dr Heather Hanna

Dr Heather Hanna is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, and Clinical Lead for Northern Ireland’s first and only fully integrated CAMH Service for children and young people with Intellectual Disability.

Heather pioneered the concept of equality of access to CAMHS for these children and young people in Northern Ireland, leading on strategic improvement at a regional and national level. Her service is recognised for its innovation, outcomes and child-centred approaches.

The judges said: “We were particularly delighted that this year’s winner is from Northern Ireland. Dr Heather Hanna’s impressive energy and drive enabled her to set up an innovative and well-regarded service for children and young people.“

Psychiatric team of the year - children and adolescents: Psychological Medicine Team, Great Ormond Street Hospital

This team puts ‘No Health Without Mental Health’ into practice by fully integrating physical and mental health care in a children’s hospital. Early detection and effective treatment of mental ill-health in children with physical illness is also the subject of their clinical research programs. Accessible, cost-effective and flexible stepped care models are evaluated with the aim of wide dissemination.

The judges said, “Although we had a number of truly excellent submissions this year, the judges were unanimous in their decision regarding this winner. This application was judged to have outstanding contributions in all domains. This is a model team, exceptionally led and productive both clinically and academically. We were impressed by the teams commitment to providing accessible, effective, evidence-based treatments for improving the mental health of children and young people with physical health problems with a number of innovative projects and research studies.

For example, the Lucy Project was set up as a self-referral Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing Drop in Centre at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, an excellent example of breaking down barriers and increasing access to help for children and families.”

Psychiatric team of the year - working age adults: joint winners

King’s Health Partners Pathway Homeless Team, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

This is a specialist inter-professional team, working with inpatients who are homeless or vulnerably housed. The aims of the service are to improve health and housing outcomes for homeless people admitted to hospital, improve quality of care while reducing delayed or premature discharges from hospital.

The judges said, “The team has shown the importance of providing specialist input for homeless people when they are admitted to psychiatric hospital. The judges were particularly impressed by the way the service has resulted in a culture change towards homelessness in the Trust and by rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of the service. The service provides a model which other Trusts can now copy”.

Peer Supported Open Dialogue Service, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust

The Kent Peer Supported Open Dialogue service started on 1/2/17. The service was the 1st to become operational in the UK. The team are part of a large multi centred RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of Open Dialogue as a model of care in mental health services. Early outcomes indicate better patient/carer outcomes/satisfaction and reduced inpatient use.

The judges felt that this team is leading the way in developing and evaluating a new approach to the care and treatment of patients presenting for the first time with severe mental health problems. The team is genuinely multi-disciplinary and has had exceptionally positive feedback from patients and their families in the first year of operation.

Psychiatric team of the year - older age adults: Surrey Heath Community Mental Health Team, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

This team is at the forefront of the national drive towards integration of community services. It is part of a joined-up system that includes colleagues in community services, social care, primary care and the voluntary sector and provides seamless support to older Surrey Heath residents via a single point of access. There is a clear focus on prevention and improving outcomes for the whole population.

The judges said: "There was stiff opposition for this award and the Stockton Community Health Team deserves special commendation, but this year’s winner, the Surrey Heath Community Mental Health Team for Older People, was particularly impressive. They demonstrated improvement in outcomes using innovative ways of working and quality improvement methodology.

"The high-quality leadership that the team have has inspired a ‘can-do’, person-centred approach which has embraced integrated working. Patients and carers have given positive feedback and continue to be actively involved in service improvement. This team is a worthy winner".

Psychiatric team of the year - non age-specific: Integrated Psychological Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Integrated Psychological Medicine service of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust enables this acute Trust to meet patients physical and mental care needs in a unified way. The service’s psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and OT’s working as fully integrated members of clinical teams to help them to provide comprehensive patient care.

The judges said: "Comprehensive healthcare must meet the patients' mental as well as physical health needs. The Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Integrated Psychological Medicine Team is a unique and innovative service that breaks down the barrier between the mind and the body.

The team is fully integrated into the General Hospital team where it performs important clinical and educational roles. It is valued by patients, carers and hospital colleagues, and has been highlighted as a beacon of excellence."

Psychiatric team of the year - Quality improvement: Teesside Locality Mental Health Service for Older People, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

This team are both enthusiastic and dedicated to delivering outstanding care to their local population. The service identified that they were spending a significant amount of time inputting onto the Trusts electronic care records instead of in direct patient contact. The objective of the improvement event was simply to increase time spent delivering direct patient care which was achieved.

The judges said, “The Teesside team have clearly demonstrated their successful use of quality improvement methodology and have made significant reductions in time spent on recording assessments, leading to very positive feedback. This work has helped staff wellbeing and confidence in successful completing assessment documentation in a timelier manner and this will be shared with the entire trust.”

Psychiatric team of the year - Outstanding commitment to sustainable service development: Transforming mental health, Hywel Dda University Health Board

The ‘Transforming Mental Health’ programme has worked collaboratively with service users, staff, partners and the Community Health Council to co-produce a future model for mental health services, built from learning from engagement, co-design, international collaboration and public consultation. The Mental Health Implementation Group (MHIG) oversees the implementation of this service redesign, chaired by Joe Teape, Deputy Chief Executive.

The review panel said, “This innovative project - co-designed, co-produced and co-delivered - is focused on prevention and recovery. It provides 24 hour Community Mental Health Centres (incorporating in-patient beds). The project group was multi-disciplinary and included people with relevant lived experience. The project aims to improve efficiency, prevent crises and minimise avoidable admissions. The use of electronic means of communication reduces the need for staff and service user travel, thus minimising any impact on the environment.”