Local NHS psychotherapist recognised for leadership skills
A psychotherapist at a local NHS trust has received national recognition for her leadership abilities.
Caroline Williams, a consultant psychotherapist at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is the clinical lead in the mental health access team in Barnsley and was nominated by colleagues for the regional NHS Leadership Recognition Awards 2014.
The awards acknowledge leadership at all levels in the NHS and celebrate the impact strong leadership has on the quality of care provided for patients. Shortlisted in the development champion of the year category, Caroline was recognised for her efforts to create a positive culture in her team.
Special praise was also reserved for Caroline’s efforts to create an operational policy for the team. The policy provides comprehensive guidance for staff on the work they do, outlining national guidance and highlighting the importance of helping individuals recover from psychological difficulties.
Since the policy has been in place, recovery rates have improved, waiting times have been reduced and the team have been able to engage with more vulnerable groups in the Barnsley area.
Cat Chadwick, a community mental health nurse in the team, nominated Caroline for the award. She said “The work Caroline has done has made such a difference to the team. She has been really supportive to each and every one of us, helping us to develop as professionals and creating a positive environment to work in. She has motivated us to work well and helped us to achieve the success we have.”
When asked about her nomination, Caroline said, “I think it is really important to have an environment where staff feel empowered to make decisions knowing that they have the support of their managers. We all come to work to make a difference and our strong team ethic, where staff can make decisions independently, really does make a difference to helping people recover from psychological difficulties.
“The changes we have made couldn’t have been done without the support and efforts of the entire team. We’ve merely created an environment where staff can flourish and positive practice can grow.”
The winners of the Yorkshire NHS Leadership Recognition Awards 2014 will be announced at a ceremony in Leeds on Wednesday 3 December 2014.