Vanessa Ford

Acting Chief Executive

Having joined the Trust as Director of Nursing and Quality Standards in May 2016, Vanessa Ford became Acting Chief Executive in August 2019.

Vanessa has a wealth of experience, and in 2016, returned to the organisation where she completed her training more than 20 years ago, having previously been both Interim Director of Nursing and Quality Assurance and Deputy Director of Nursing and Practice at Devon Partnership NHS Trust as well as Director of Nursing Standards and Governance at West London Mental Health NHS Trust.

Vanessa is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and member of the Royal College of Nursing.

Amy Scammell

Acting Director of Strategy and Commercial Development

Amy is currently the Acting Director of Strategy and Commercial Development.

Amy joined the Trust in 2015 as the Deputy Director of Strategy and Commercial Planning before moving into the Director role in 2018. Amy has worked in south London for several years. Prior to joining the Trust Amy’s most recent role was as a Divisional Director for Community Services at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust focusing on business development, performance and service improvement. Amy’s previous roles include work with Wandsworth PCT around performance and research and as a Senior Research Capability Fellow at London South Bank University. With a background in evaluation and research, Amy brings an interest in service redesign, development and transformation to the Director of Strategy and Commercial Development role.

Sarah

Staff Nurse and Preceptee Mentor

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We asked Sarah about her experiences working as a mental health nurse here at the Trust:

How long have you been working in mental health?

I have worked as a RMN within the Trust for just over a year but I have previous experience working with those within mental health as a HCA in an acute CAMHS inpatient unit whilst I was a student nurse.

Did you work in any other area before working in mental health?

I have worked as a support worker previously with children and adults with learning difficulties.

Why are you passionate about it?

I am passionate about working to support others and teaching which has always been an interest of mine.

What is one of the best things about working in mental health?

I love the hands on work and learning something new everyday working with patients aswell as alongside my colleagues

What is the one misconception you think is out there about mental health?

People with mental health problems can snap out of it or change if they tried hard enough.