Mel is named Chairman’s Leader of the Year page thumbnail

Mel Watson, Head of Operations: Specialist Group at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) was named winner of the Chairman’s Award for Leadership at a recent awards ceremony.

Mel has worked in the NHS for over 29 years. She was nominated by her staff for inspiring and motivating them to not only deliver high standards of care, but to think outside the box to improve those standards.

Mel has led on the development of the one of only four Secure Care New Care Models with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust and St Andrews Healthcare to improve the reliance on Inpatient services and strengthen the whole pathway. Mel has helped deliver earlier discharge opportunities and reduced length of stay for some and also to bring some patients receiving care elsewhere back into the region for care closer to their home.

Not content with making a real difference to her patients and her staff, Mel who lives in Lichfield, is also a keen member of the award winning Amington Brass Band.

The Midlands Partnership Better Together Awards are designed to recognise exceptional contributions to service, by individuals and teams, by clinical and non clinical staff. Over 165 nominations were received for the nine awards and following a rigorous process, supported by some of the Trust’s Governor Members and service users, the best entries were shortlisted, only finding out if they were winners on the night.

The Chairman’s Award for Leadership recognises someone who has created a compelling shared vision and successfully tackled issues and led change to make a positive and consistent impact on service delivery.

380 local NHS staff attended the event, held on 8 November 2018 at the Staffordshire County Showground, which is also an important opportunity for sharing good practice and helping staff to understand their role in the wider service. Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides physical and mental health, learning disability and adult social care services across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Shropshire, but also psychological therapies; drug and alcohol services in prisons; and care for serving MOD personnel across the country.

Neil Carr, Chief Executive said: “One of the Trust’s core objectives is to make this a fantastic place to work where staff feel positive and proud to be part of the organisation. We know that we cannot deliver effective services without well trained and supported staff and believe that offering real recognition in the form of this awards ceremony has a real part to play in creating an enthusiastic, committed and confident workforce.”